Dr. David Buss

So let's say you're into football and another partner thinks sports are stupid.

You know, then that's, you know, someone who's also into sports is going to be higher in mate value for you.

So there are these individual differences in components of mate value, which is good because that means if everyone were going after the same people and there was total consensus on mate value, then there would be a lot of mateless people and a lot of problems in the world.

and a lot of dissatisfied people.

So both are important, the consensual aspects and the individually differentiated components of made value.

But in terms of

accuracy of assessment, there are no good measures scientifically to do this because it's a very complicated endeavor to assess accurately.

But I think people have a good intuitive sense of people's relative mate value, especially if you're in a group and you've been able to interact with them for a long time.

And one indication is

again, that attention structure.

How many other people really want to mate with this person?

That's a good cue that they're high in mate value.

I think you're absolutely right.

And I think it will happen.

I think it's starting to happen and it will happen because getting at the neuroscience is getting at the underlying mechanisms that are driving the process.

So, you know, what an evolutionary perspective brings to bear is evolved function and ultimate explanation, the selective forces that created adaptations, the functions of those adaptations and the neuroscience brings, well, what is the underlying machinery

that these mechanisms are instantiated in.

Sure.

OK, so, well, my most recent book is called When Men Behave Badly, The Hidden Roots of Sexual Deception, Harassment and Assault.

And that book deals with conflict between the sexes, sexual conflict.