14. What Motivates Us: Sex
YaleCourses・2 minutes read
Sex is highly valued by Americans, despite spending minimal time on it, impacting various aspects of life. The text delves into the evolutionary, biological, and psychological differences between males and females, discussing parental investment, sexual preferences, and differences in aggression and empathy.
Insights
- The average American spends only four minutes and three seconds on sex daily, despite ranking it as their favorite activity, showcasing a significant disparity between perception and reality.
- Evolutionary theories explain sex differences between males and females, emphasizing differences in social intelligence, aggression, and empathy, as well as the impact of parental investment on psychological and physiological variances, highlighting the intricate biological and evolutionary underpinnings of human behavior and relationships.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
Why do animals have two sexes?
Animals have two sexes to ensure genetic diversity and increase the chances of survival for offspring. Despite the evolutionary mystery of losing half their genes with each offspring, having two sexes allows for genetic recombination, leading to variations that can be beneficial in adapting to changing environments and resisting diseases.
How do males and females differ in sexual preferences?
Males tend to be more receptive to anonymous sex due to lower parental investment, while females are more selective in choosing mates who exhibit qualities of good fathers, protectors, and caretakers. These differences stem from evolutionary strategies aimed at maximizing reproductive success and offspring survival.
Why are males typically larger and more aggressive than females?
Evolutionary logic dictates that males have evolved to be larger, more aggressive, and possess special weapons for reproductive access, while females are choosy in selecting the best mates for offspring survival. This difference in physical characteristics and behavior is driven by the need to compete for reproductive opportunities and ensure genetic success.
What factors influence attractiveness in humans?
Beauty in humans is considered a universal signal of youth and health, with specific physical attributes like large eyes and clear skin being universally attractive. Averaging faces together creates a universally attractive face, signaling a preference for symmetry and health, while feminizing average faces can enhance attractiveness.
Is sexual orientation a conscious choice?
Sexual orientation is not a conscious choice, as individuals do not decide who they are attracted to. Studies suggest differences in sexual and romantic fantasies between gay and straight individuals before puberty, indicating that sexual orientation is likely influenced by a combination of genetic predisposition and prenatal experiences.
Related videos
Stanford
15. Human Sexual Behavior I
Stanford
17. Human Sexual Behavior III & Aggression I
The Diary Of A CEO
The Orgasm Expert: THIS Is How Often You Should Be Having Sex & Stop Inviting Pets Into The Bedroom!
Stanford
16. Human Sexual Behavior II
Sadhguru
How To Handle Shame About Sexual Desires? | Sadhguru