Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Sexual Psychology and Behavior

This volume in the Springer Series in Evolutionary Psychology presents a state of the art view of the topic of sexuality and sexual behavior drawing on theoretical constructs and research of noted individuals in the field. Comprehensive and multi-disciplinary, this book seeks to provide a broad overview without sacrificing the complexity of a multi-faceted approach. The book is framed by introductory and closing sections that provide a context for the range of ideas contained within. Ample space is provided in designated sections that focus on key areas of sexuality from both male and female perspectives and that include information from primate studies. This volume can serve as a graduate text in sexual behavior in evolutionary terms and as a guide for further research.

Combines theoretical concepts with current empirical evidence

Section 1: Introduction to Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Sexual Psychology and Behavior.- Evaluating Evidence of Mate Preference Adaptations: How Do We Really Know What Homo sapiens sapiens Really Want?.- Section 2: Sexual Adaptations in Men.- Adaptation and sexual offending.- Sexual selection on human voices.- Agreement and individual differences in men's preferences for women's facial characteristics.- Male adaptations to female ovulation.- (Mis)reading the signs: Men's perception of women's sexual interest.- Bodily Attractiveness as a Window to Women's Fertility and Reproductive Value.- Social and environmental conditions intensifying male competition for resources, status, and mates lead to increased male mortality.- Male production of humor produced by sexually selected psychological adaptations.- Male adaptations to retain a mate.- Section 3: Sexual Adaptations in Women.- Evolutionary psychology and rape avoidance .- Female orgasm.- Female adaptations to ovulation.- Women's preferences for male facial features.- Women's disgust adaptations.- Female Perceptions of Male Body Movements.- Intrasexual Competition and other Theories of Eating Restriction.- Attractiveness and rivalry in women's same-sex friendships.- Section 4: Conclusions and Future Directions for Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Sexual Psychology and Behavior.- Evolutionary perspectives on homosexual psychology and behavior.- Reflections on the Evolution of Human Sex Differences: Social Selection and the Evolution of Competition among Women.