n exchange, gaining intimacy and determining similarity (Morris and Maisto, 1999).Limitations and CritiqueAlthough much literature exists on the subject of the evolutionary basis for attraction, it is difficult to locate sources discussing the importance of other factors. There are sources on interpersonal attraction, but many do not relate to this study, which is concerned with the reasons for romantic attraction. Of all the sources, PSY100’s textbook provided the most insight on that subject. Furthermore, sources discussing women’s selection of males are more difficult to locate than on male’s selection of females, indicating perhaps a gender bias in the field. All sources used concentrated primarily on the male aspects. The readings are very appealing because they relate to everyone universally in lend insight into humanity’s past. Another interesting thing to note is the high level of continuity between sources regarding the evolutionary aspects of attraction. Conclusions and RecommendationsDespite all our outward pretenses, I believe that deep down, humans still follow their primal instincts over all rational. Men still feel the urge to spread their genes over as large a group as possible (hence men who sleep around are culturally acceptable), and prefer youth and attractiveness over other traits, whereas women look for a high earning capacity, ambitiousness, industriousness (the ability to provide) in their long term mates. Our human weakness for biological quality causes no end of pain and injustice. We attribute good moral qualities and health to those we are attracted to, even though they may not deserve this credit. Even children show this biological preference for beauty; in a study done in the late 80’s, Judith Langlois found that babies would stare at pictures of highly symmetrical women longer than those of unsymmetrical ones (Cowley and Spriger, 1996). It is fascinating to researc...
