Adaptive mating strategies and the problem of mate retention

Abstract

"Adaptations" are evolved solutions to the problems posed by survival and reproduction. The evolutionary psychologists believe that as well as the physical adaptations so the adaptations in human mind evolved, called "strategies". The "mating strategies" are adaptive solutions to successful mating. The mating strategies, designed to preserve access to a mate by preventing encroachment of intrasexual rivals and by preventing a mate from defecting from the mateship for a prospective better partner, are called "mate guarding strategies". The previous research found that humans do use a wide variety of behavioural tactics of mate guarding, ranging from vigilance to violence. Our research group explores the type and the intensity of behavioural tactics of mate guarding used in several contexts. Presently, the link between the woman's fertility status across her menstrual cycle and the man's mate guarding is examined. Discussing the preliminary results, a more intensive man's mate guarding of his partner around the ovulation when her fertility peaks may be assumed. These outcomes could be explained as an adaptive prevention to shift in woman's preferences to increase her extra-pair sexual attempts and following to a possible genetic cuckoldry at that most fertile time.