Darwin and Dating: Can Evolutionary Psychology Save Your Love Life?

The world of dating has changed. Just by turning on the television, viewers are constantly reminded of this facet through repeated advertisements of over-the-phone and online dating services, some even claiming that as many as one in five relationships now begin online. Additionally, many of the actors in these commercials seem to be addressing an older rather than younger demographic, thus suggesting the prevalence of secondary and tertiary marriages among target clients. With the divorce rate and partner dissatisfaction being higher than ever, researchers have begun to look for clues into why current relationships show little resemblance to those of the earlier half of the 20^th century. In their article, “The Future of an Applied Evolutionary Psychology for Human Partnerships,” Robert, Miner, & Shackelford (2010) note numerous factors that have potentially led to this phenomenon, primarily those regarding repeated exposure to mass media, the creation of new methods of meeting potential partners, and shifts within our culture.

First, the authors tackle the effects of mass media on self-assessments, partner-assessments, and relationship satisfaction. Recent studies have shown that exposure to highly attractive faces (such as those frequently shown on television) not only led men to rate average faces as more unattractive, but their own partners’ faces as more unattractive as well (Kenrick & Gutierres, 1980; Kenrick, Gutierres, & Goldberg, 1989). Other studies have shown that both men and women rated their relationships more poorly after being exposed to more “ideal” partners (Kenrick, Neuberg, Zierk, & Kromes, 1994). In addition, women were more likely to report an increased desire for thinness and decreased body satisfaction after reading high-fashion magazines (Salmon, Crawford, Dane, & Zuberbrier, 2008). All of these studies suggest exposure to mass media can have particularly negative effects on self-assessment, partner-assessments, mental health, and relationship behaviors, therefore leading to an overall decline in relationship satisfaction.

Next, the authors examine changes in the meeting behavior of potential-mates. With the advent of speed and online dating, individuals are more likely to place emphasis on objective statements (such as qualifications and personality traits) rather than subjective statements (such as perceived attractiveness), therefore creating the opportunity for manipulation and false advertising (i.e. lying) (Pawlowski & Koziel, 2002). Roberts et al. (2010) claim that these new methods of dating have shifted the focus away from emotional compatibility to an emphasis on physical (read: more shallow) attributes, thus furthering unhappiness within relationships.

Finally, the article mentions how oral contraceptives are affecting the way women choose potential mates. Specifically, women on “the pill” are more likely to select partners that are more genetically similar, which has been deemed as an advantageous adaptation in pregnant women. However, this preference can be potentially detrimental to women who are only feigning pregnancy through hormonal contraception (Roberts, Gosling, Carter, & Petrie, 2008). Additionally, the rise in cosmetic surgery, makeup, and even perfume/cologne have changed the way humans perceive the opposite sex, leading people to stray from biologically-adaptive discernment of attractiveness.

Although society shows no signs of slowing down in the direction it is currently moving, all hope for happy relationships is not lost. Roberts et al. (2010) suggest a remedy to ameliorate the negative effects of Westernization. The answer namely lies in the theory of evolution. The authors propose developing a field that shifts evolutionary psychology from the theoretical to the world of applied. By placing an emphasis on evolutionary psychology and applying it to dating, we may be able to direct humans to make better choices in mate selection and reduce the negative effects of modern society. Not only would this potentially improve the quality of relationships, but also it could create a new market of jobs for us psychologists in terms of employment through dating agencies. Who knew Darwin could be the ultimate love doctor?

Posted by Sarah Segal

Roberts, S. C., Miner, E. J., Schakel, T. K. (2010). The future of an applied evolutionary psychology for human partnerships. Review of General Psychology, 14, 318-329.