Sex differences in sexual psychology produce sex-similar preferences for a short-term mate.

Archives of Sexual Behavior,  August, 2004  by Todd K. Shackelford

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INTRODUCTION

Different mating strategies exist between and within the sexes (Buss & Schmitt, 1993; Gangestad & Simpson, 1990, 2000; Symons, 1979; Trivers, 1972). Gangestad and Simpson (2000) defined mating strategies as "integrated sets of adaptations that organize and guide an individual's reproductive effort" (p. 575). Men and women have evolved a menu of mating strategies, ranging from short-term mating strategies. When adopting a short-term strategy, for example, men and women might seek brief sexual relationships or terminate quickly potential long-term relationships. In addition, several researchers have described a mixed, or opportunistic, mating strategy, in which men and women form a ...