Human sexual selection

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93 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sexual selection favors traits that aid in competition over mates. Widespread monogamous mating, biparental care, moderate body size sexual dimorphism, and low canine tooth dimorphism suggest modest sexual selection operating over human evolution, but other evidence indicates that sexual selection has actually been comparatively strong. Ancestral men probably competed for mates mainly by excluding competitors by force or threat, and women probably competed primarily by attracting mates. These and other forms of sexual selection shaped human anatomy and psychology, including some psychological sex differences.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)28-32
Number of pages5
JournalCurrent Opinion in Psychology
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Psychology(all)

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