Spring 2005

PSY 334D • Psychology of Human Mating

Course Description

This course is designed to explore the psychology of human mating. It starts with the initial desires that men and women express when selecting mates and moves to the tactics they use to attract mates, retain mates, and get rid of mates. The course covers short-term mating (e.g., casual sex) and long-term mating (e.g., marriage). After outlining essential background in evolutionary biology and the strategies of human mating, we examine the ways in which these strategies give rise to same-sex conflict and conflict between men and women. The course covers mating across cultures, mating across the lifespan, and mating in the context of human evolutionary history.  Evolutionary psychology and sexual selection theory will be used as the overarching theoretical frameworks for the course. 

Grading Policy

There will 4 exams, each counting 25% of the grade. Exams consist of short-answer and multiple choice questions.

Texts

Buss, D.M. (2003).  The evolution of desire: Strategies of human mating (Revised Edition). New York: Basic Books. [required] [DESIRE] Course Pack of Required Readings

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