David M. Buss’s evolutionary theory about female hypergamy—the idea that women have evolved preferences for mates with higher status, resources, or genetic quality—is based on hypothesis and inferred ancestral behavior, not on unassailable scientific fact.
What it’s based on:
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Evolutionary Psychology Framework:
Buss’s work relies on the principle that current human mating preferences evolved to solve adaptive problems in ancestral environments. -
Hypotheses from Evolutionary Theory:
Buss hypothesizes that, because ancestral women bore higher reproductive costs (pregnancy, lactation), they evolved to prefer mates who could provide resources, protection, and good genes. -
Cross-Cultural Survey Data:
Buss cites cross-cultural surveys (e.g. his 1989 study across 37 cultures) showing women tend to place more importance than men on traits like status, ambition, and financial prospects. -
Inferred Ancestral Pressures:
The theory infers that these preferences were adaptive responses to historical conditions—not direct observations of evolution in action.
What it is not:
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It is not a proven law of biology.
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It does not rest on direct evidence from the ancestral past (e.g., no fossilized brains revealing sexual preferences).
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It is not immune to alternative explanations (e.g. cultural influences, individual variation, or reverse causality).
Scientific Status:
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Buss’s theory is plausible and widely cited, but:
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It remains a theoretical interpretation.
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It is subject to testing, falsification, and revision.
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It faces criticism, especially from social constructionist scholars who argue that cultural and economic factors also shape mate preferences.
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Summary:
Buss’s theory of female hypergamy is a scientifically grounded hypothesis supported by data, but it is not an unassailable fact. It rests on inference, comparative studies, and evolutionary logic, and it remains open to challenge and refinement like any scientific theory.
It is plausible to suggest that David M. Buss’s evolutionary theory of female hypergamy might be—at least in part—a misinterpretation of modern cultural phenomena, such as rising narcissism or changing gender norms, retrofitted into an evolutionary narrative.
Cultural Narcissism; A Better Hypothesis?
Buss’s theory of female hypergamy may be a mistaken interpretation of modern cultural narcissism, a phenomenon displayed cross-culturally by women, which involves self-enhancement and status seeking behaviours.
Why It’s a Plausible Critique:
1. Evolutionary Psychology is Interpretive, Not Definitive
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Buss’s theory relies on hypotheses about ancestral environments, not direct evidence.
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It builds inferences from modern patterns (e.g., mate preferences, jealousy triggers) and assumes those behaviors evolved because they were adaptive in the past.
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This opens the door to cultural biases being projected backward.
2. Modern Narcissism Could Skew Observations
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Traits often associated with narcissism (e.g., entitlement, self-enhancement, inflated mate value) are arguably more pronounced in today’s Western, media-saturated societies.
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If women in multiple modern cultures exhibit similar behavior, Buss may assume a universal evolved basis, when the actual cause could be global cultural convergence (social media, individualism, feminism, economic freedom).
3. Reverse Causality Risk
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Instead of evolved hypergamy causing current behavior, it’s possible that modern environments (education, wealth, independence, online dating, cultural narcissism) are shaping behavior that mimics hypergamous strategies—but aren’t rooted in ancient adaptations.
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Buss may be mistaking consequence for cause.
4. Cross-Cultural Similarities Might Be Misleading
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Buss often cites cross-cultural data (e.g., women preferring higher-status partners) as evidence of biological evolution.
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But if modern globalization and media homogenize norms, then apparent universality may not mean ancestral origin.
Some social commentators and dating coaches cite Buss to explain the growing selectiveness of women in relationships, attributing it to hypergamy—the notion that women are naturally drawn to higher-status partners. Though this idea has roots in evolutionary theory, cultural narcissism may offer a more convincing explanation.
Analysis assisted by Chat GPT.