Theories and Concepts
Sexual Strategies Theory
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An evolutionary theory of human mating created by David Buss and David Schmitt in 1993, explaining sex differences in mating psychology as evolved strategies shaped by the differing reproductive challenges men and women faced. A rival account, social role theory, attributes the same differences to social structure rather than evolved adaptation.
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Disputed
Core ClaimSexual strategies theory (SST) is an evolutionary theory of human mating created by David Buss and David Schmitt in 1993. 1 Rival social role theory (Alice Eagly and Wendy Wood) attributes the same sex differences in mating psychology to social structure rather than evolved adaptation; see the recorded dissent. Cross-Tradition Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Sexual Strategies Theory
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction sectionQuote, Introduction section
Sexual strategies theory (SST) is an evolutionary theory of human mating created by David Buss and David Schmitt in 1993.
1. Wikipedia: Sexual Strategies Theory
Wikimedia FoundationDeveloped By: David Buss, IntroductionQuote, Developed By: David Buss, Introduction
SST defines the set of mating strategies that humans pursue, the adaptive problems that men and women face when pursuing these strategies, and the evolved solutions to these mating problems.
Dissenting Readings (1 dissenting reading)
Core Claim
Alice Eagly and Wendy Wood's social role theory argues that evolutionary forces did not produce psychological adaptations directing human mating decisions, attributing the sex differences sexual strategies theory explains to social structure instead. Contrary to what social role theory would predict, research measuring these sex differences across cultures has found them larger, not smaller, in more gender-egalitarian societies.
A dissenting reading, from Alice Eagly and Wendy Wood (social role theory)Wikipedia: Sexual Strategies Theory, Wikimedia Foundation
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