 Evolutionary Explanation: The purpose of attraction is to procreate and survive.

 AIM: Whether our body odor is what attracts us to others.  Background Info: The study focused on a particular set of genes (MHC’s) in the immune system known for the ability to protect us against pathogens. When mates have dissimiliar genes, their offspring have better immune systems.

 METHODS: 44 male participants were given a clean T-shirt to wear for two nights. They were asked to remain “odor neutral” by using the same scent-free soap and staying away from spicy foods.  49 female participants were then asked to sniff three types of shirts (MHC similar, MHC different, and an unworn t-shirt)  and rate them on pleasantness of odor.  The women were all midway through their menstrual cycle (when smell is the strongest).

 FINDINGS: Women preferred the odor of men with a dissimilar immune system (so long as they were not using oral contraception). This means women prefer the smells of men who are more likely to boost the immune systems of their potential offspring.

-During menstruation (when oestragen levels are low) women are more sexually jealous. This is because she is fearful that the male will seek out other women to mate with since she is unavailable. -During ovulation (when oestragen levels are high) women are more emotionally jealous. This is because she is jealous he won’t stick around to help with the child after birth.

 Human behavior is grounded in the need to optimize the potential for reproduction with the goal of the best genetic combination possible for the off-spring and then maximizing parental care after birth.

 In a study of 186 cultures, a strong correlation was found between the number of parasites the population is exposed to and the degree of polygyny (males who have more than one sexual partner)(Low, 1990).  Men and women in regions of the world with higher levels of pathogen stress rated physical attractiveness in a prospective mate as more important than those who lived with low pathogen stress (Buss, 1993).

 Evolutionary theories cannot explain attraction between same-sex couples and long-term attachment.

 Research supports the idea of a love cocktail of biochemicals that increase attraction and attachment.  Neurotransmitters: Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepenephrine  Hormones: Oxytocin and Vasopressin

 Fischer (2004) argues that romantic love is an evolutionary motivation system designed to help us find a mate and procreate, much like animals. It is made up of changes in the chemicals in our brain when we are in love.

 Fischer (2003) used an fMRI to investigate blood flow in those who claimed they were madly in love by showing them a picture of their beloved. She noticed that areas rich in dopamine receptors lit up at the pictures.

 By analyzing blood samples in 60 individuals it was documented that lovers had lower serotonin levels than those not in love.

 This is a hormone released during sex. An experiment of prairie voles, who normally have stable, long-term bonds, showed that when males were given a drug to suppress Vasopressin their devotion to their mate as shown through protecting her from other suitors disappeared.

 A powerful hormone released in men and women during touching and sex that deepens and intensifies feelings of attachment. It is also released in animals and humans during childbirth to secure the bond between mother and child.

 Attraction Similarity Model (Morry, 2007) : People tend to prefer and perceive friends and partners as similar to themselves. It has the psychological benefit of validating one’s own views. The perceptions of similarity may not always be accurate. Relationship satisfaction is tied to perceived similarities.

 Participants were asked about traits in ideal partners and former partners. They found that participants’ ideal partners were seen as similar and more positive than the participant. In contrast, former partners were seen as different from and more negative than the participant..

 People perceive their partner from their current perspective. If they are no longer attracted to a partner, they are seen as different from and generally not as positive as the participant

 Students who were single, but looking for romantic relationships were asked to rate their own personality and that of their ideal partner. All 169 male & female participants wanted partners similar to themselves.

 This study used new participants and found that romantic couples who had high levels of love and harmony were more likely to consist of people with complementary traits (eg. dominant & submissive). This suggests that certain pairs of complementary traits may be a positive indicator of romantic harmony.

 Researchers (Kiesler & Baral, 1970) created an experiment in which they gave men a fake IQ test and then told them fake scores. The 1 st group was told they had scored “off the charts” high scores. The 2 nd group was told their scores were so low there must have been a misunderstanding. The men were then placed in a waiting room to await their pay for the study, during which time an attractive woman walked into the room.

 The men in the 1st group who were given the self-esteem boost engaged in conversation with the woman more quickly and were more engaged in conversation with her than the 2 nd group. This supports the conclusion that a person’s impression of themselves can also affect attraction.

 Frequency of Interaction: Simply being in the presence of another person will enhance the probability of friendship (Festinger, 1950).  Proximity: Study showed that distance between rooms on college campus and elderly housing predicted friendship and attraction (Nahemow & Lawton, 1975).

 Mere Exposure Effect: When participants were shown pictures of strangers, photos that were shown more frequently were rated more positively. The researcher argued this is due to increase in trust with exposure. (Zajonc, 1971)

 We compare ourselves to others so we can better understand ourselves.  Interaction creates a sense of connectedness and attachment which is a basic human need.  The more familiar is more likeable.

 Mention Buss’ cultural study that identifies cultural traits desirable in different cultures.