Human Behavior: Mate Selection - Admission/Application Essay Example

Human Behavior: Mate Selection Introduction Understanding the inner workings of human thought, human choice, and human biology has been a pursuit of the science, religion, and philosophy since the origins if mankind and the beginnings of civilization. Sometimes in the research and understanding of human behavior it becomes apparent that there are choices that we make and choices we are compelled to make by intuition, instinct, and biology. When we, for example, see someone that we find attractive we do not always ask ourselves why we find them attractive we only know that we do. However, there may be very logical answers as to why we choose the mates that we choose. Many of these reasons may be completely unconscious and motivated by forces outside our control (Geary, Vigil, and Byrd-Craven 27). Science has identified that many of the motivations in human mate selection are a matter of biological signals that we have little or no control over, which is supported by historical research, valid examples, and relevant personal parallels. History According to experts there are certain traits that are universally considered desirable by all human beings; people are essentially hardwired to find these particular traits most desirable. Natural Selection essentially defines the majority of all biological actions occur because the will of nature, the course of evolution, guides us to procreate with the best possible genetic match (Natural Selection).For example, men are most likely to be more attracted to women who have very small jaws and non-prominent brows because this represents the proper amount of estrogen, which identifies this person as a healthy mate. In turn women are inclined to be attracted to men who have prominent brows and squared jaws because it represents the proper amount of testosterone, which identifies him as having good reproductive health (Carey 1). Pheromones, which are less sensitive in human beings, may play a small role; while sense of smell can play a role, as well. Women who are given sweaty T-shirts of different men; those chosen most desirable were those men that are considered appropriately symmetrical .Symmetry is a huge determinant of what we consider to be beautiful. The more symmetrical ones facial features the more attractive they will seem. These variations in symmetry are, also, indicative of good genetics and therefore a good choice as a mate (Carey 1). There is a great deal of research supporting that people who are the most symmetrical, and therefore attractive, are often offered more career opportunities and successes in life over those people who are not as symmetrical and therefore less genetically attractive (Feng 1). Discussion Everyone has what they call “their type.” Those certain features that we are constantly seeking in all of our potential mates. Some people prefer blondes over brunettes, darker skinned over light, or are seeking specific attributes, like large muscles in men or ample breasts in women. There are inevitably three things that I notice first when I see someone. The things that I notice are their eyes, body shape, and height. I am often attracted to women who are tall, with a slimmer waste and fuller hips, and big warm eyes, although eye-color matters less to me overall. As already discussed the symmetry of the eye placement and equality of their shape is genetically attractive. The larger the eyes, which is created by the smaller brow that women are ideally supposed to possess, conveys those relevant feminine, estrogen, controlled features. Apparently, according to the research, men are moved sexually moved by women whose waistlines are significantly smaller than their hips; that hourglass-like figure that most men idolize. This can be attributed to another unconscious biological cue. When women carry extra weight it “should” go to certain places, like their hips. When men see women built that way it indicates that their internal health is normal and positive for reproduction (Carey 1). Now, my attraction to taller than average women is a little more unusual. After all most men prefer the females in their lives to be more diminutive in size and feminine in build in comparison with them. However, this can be explained to, and again credited to unconscious biological cues. We as individual often are attracted to potential mates that remind us of our own genetic traits. There are a lot of tall women in my family. This may be why, both, biologically and personally I find tall women to be beautiful. As much as we would like to think that our individual tastes and preferences are intrinsically unique to us, they are, in fact, quite often motivated by biological forces that we are not really aware of. However, in fairness, experts due admit that there are elements of human pair bonding that science cannot completely explain. Love is an abstract concept really, after all, no two people may define it the same. However, the fact that human beings can genuinely care for one another on another level that can last a lifetime, regardless of biological cues they may experience. Perhaps that is why fidelity is the number one most commonly desired relationship trait that human beings admire (Carey 1). Conclusion Human beings often like to think of themselves as creatures above or outside of the rules of nature and evolution. Only animals are controlled by instincts, biology, and unconscious drives, we are motivated by our logic, intelligence, emotion, will, and soul. We are in control of all of our actions, decisions, choices, and ideals. However, that is not always true. We are pulled by things that our bodies are aware of that we do not see or consciously acknowledge. This does not necessarily make us less individual or threaten our sense of choice. It simply reminds us that we are part of nature and subject to the biological wants, needs, and desires of our bodies, regardless of what our eyes see and our minds think. Fortunately, love, true love, remains something of a mystery. It is the only emotion that experts claim, alters, both brain chemistry and overrides sexual drives and biological imperatives. It is, however, quite interesting to have an understanding as to why certain women with certain features are the ones that are most appealing to me. Work Cited Carey, Bjorn. "The Rules of Attraction in the Game of Love." Live Wire. 13 Feb 2006: 1. Web. 21 Sep. 2013. . Feng , Charles. " Looking Good: The Psychology and Biology of Beauty." Journal of Young Investigators. 6 (2002): 1. Web. 21 Sep. 2013. . Geary, D.C., J. Vigil , and J. Byrd-Craven. "Evolution of Human Mate Choice." Journal of Sex Research. 41.1 (2004): 27-42. Web. 21 Sep. 2013. . Natural Selection, dir. Natural Selection - Crash Course Biology. 2012. Web. 21 Sep. 2013. . Read More