Abstract

HERNANDEZ-LOPEZ, Leonor E  and  CERDA-MOLINA, Ana Lilia. Human sexual selection. Salud Ment [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.5, pp.405-410. ISSN 0185-3325.

Human reproduction involves, as in many other mammal species, a sexual selection process. Some of the features chose in a reproductive mate are intelligence, reliability, health, access to resources and others. However, the ultimate individuals' decision depends on her or his reproductive strategy. Several works have demonstrated that human beings cannot be characterized by a single strategy; people can decide for a long-term commitment mating, a short-term mating or both. However, there are some psychobiological aspects that underlie such decision making and apparently they are universal for human beings. In this review we present results, including our own, which illustrate the set of characteristics that are involved in human mate choice. In order to acquire an appropriate understanding of human behavior, it is necessary to consider those psychological adaptations which operate at both conscious and unconscious levels, evolved to deal with the most elementary demands to survive and reproduce.

Keywords : Sexual selection; human mate choice; human biology.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )