SEXUAL ATTRACTION: HORMONES, PHEROMONES AND MATHEMATICAL MODELS

Posted on July 6, 2009 by

From an evolutionary standpoint, choice of mate has to rank high on the list of important life decisions. I thought that most people end up with their life-mate by luck. Science on the matter of attraction and choice of mate suggests that luck only to relate to that pool of individuals from which we choose a partner. If one accepts the studies on the effect on human blood, tissues, hormones and other physiological affects of human attraction, the choice of mate is far more unconscious that conscious or congitive. Indeed, physiological attractiveness sensations come from the deep internal brain which serves to regulate emotion.

There is a completely different school of thought on the basis for human attraction,emerging from the burgeoning dating industry and use of data-based simulation models. Here, the theory is that we are attracted to those individuals who are either most like us or who most compliment us. The difference between the biological theories of attraction and the personality-type theories is quite stark but the work being done in both areas is extensive and therefore should be capable of being tested for reliability and consistence.

Recall that my purpose continues to be to develop an understanding of the validuses of simulation models.

The biological theories are attractive as they carry the patina of exactitude diminishing the skeptic in me. The reliable scientific biological studies reveal that when choosing a mate, we run on instinct developedin the evolutionary process . Pheromones, powerful chemicals picked up by smell, appear to have a specific effects on behaviors of others of the opposite sex of the same species. The attraction is consistently to mates with gene variations that are different from our own because children who inherit more diverse genes have stronger immune systems. Weitkamp, HLA and mate choice in humans. Am J. Hum Genet 61(3), 497-504 Pincott, DO GENTLEMEN REALLY PREFER BLONDES? Doubleday (2008). Sexual attraction triggers hormones released into the blood stream and the brain resulting in heightened mood and enlivened feelings from specific chemicals in the brain. Memories (sometimes lasting a lifetime) and emotions are heightened during this time and the feelings of well being have been reported consistently. Some studies show that the shape of the hips and symmetry of the face are also contributors. This, it is theorized, relates to a choice of mate who can best procreate and parent a child. The theories are attractive for their linearity and of course they exclude issues of conscious preference, intelligenence, education belief systems and ideology.

Some pyschologists hold a different view on human attraction. One who also uses simulation models is John Gottman of the University of Washington who looks at couples when they communicate and rate them on scales of discust, contempt, anger, defensiveness, whining, sadness and so on. He says he can predict with 95% accuracy whether a couple will stay marries 15 years later. The Mathematics of Divorce by John Gottman and Blink by Malcom Gladwell.

The methodologies of Gottman are considered sound and reliable within his profession. His studies and models meet established standards and his use of mathematics and analysis is valid for what he does. Despite this, there is an obvious difference in view on the causes of human attraction between the biological studies and the psychological studies of Gottman.

Finally, there are the internet dating services –a massive industry serving hundreds of thousands of individuals. One of the largest is Match.com which suggests that we seek out a match to our educational and cultural status. In other words, daters want people of their own “level”. eHarmony seeks to classify customers by personality types based on 29 different variables concerning social style, cognitive modes and relationship skills. eHarmony uses regression analysis to predict preferences. Perfectmatch tries to connect people based on a modification of a psychological test called the Meyers-Briggs personality test. True.com looks at 99 relationship factors and uses a regression algorithm to match customers This essentially says whether you will get along .

The point. It is certainly the case that mathematically based model simulations are inherently imperfect as they cannot match reality. This is also true for machine learning. Yet our ability to analyze numbers gets better by the day and all of the models described, including the biological studies, are based on properly designed studies and tests and properly analyzed data.

So how do you gauge the relative strength of one model as against another when the models result in different conclusions and derive from entirely different disciplines? If there is real basis in the biological studies of human attraction how is it still possible that the psychological constructs of the dating services and Dr. Gottman are also be valid? Are the models simply for the purpose of creating a different view? Is there no basic truth to discovery?

I wish to add one caveat to all of this. There may be a difference between the chemistry of initial attraction, deriving from our cave-dwelling existence and the longer term relationship and compatability process that happens. The former seems far more biological and unconscious and the latter more related to cognitive, preference and personality issues–many of which are still unconscious in nature but quite different from the hormonal responses discussed above. The dating services seem to focus on the personality types (with some exceptions) and of course the biological studies on the hormones. (There is an entirely separate line of studies from the psychological literature and I am sure much much more).

Perhaps I am poorly comparing different disiplines and separate methods of analysis. Yet all are purportedly designed to examine the same issue relating to human attraction. Or, perhaps people do end up together simply by mistake.

Comments (1)

 

  1. Anti-Aging : says:

    most dating service provide a good service in match making two potential lovers ::

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