What Science Actually Says About Men and Women — Evolutionary Psychologist David Buss

Evolutionary psychology provides a framework for understanding human mating strategies, sex differences, and the biological roots of complex behaviors. Fundamental asymmetries in parental investment—driven by gamete size and internal fertilization—shape divergent preferences, with men prioritizing cues to fertility like youth and beauty, while women prioritize resource provisioning and commitment. Infidelity functions differently across sexes: men often seek sexual variety, whereas women’s affairs are frequently linked to relationship dissatisfaction and "mate-switching." Modern dating apps introduce evolutionary mismatches, such as decision paralysis and an over-reliance on visual cues, which distort natural selection processes. David Buss, a founder of the field, illustrates these mechanisms through empirical data on sexual jealousy, mate value, and the darker aspects of human nature, including stalking and violence, which often emerge from mate value discrepancies and the failure to secure long-term partners.