Martie Haselton: UCLA Department of Communication Studies

Ovulatory cycle research reveals a hidden side of female desire. Near ovulation, women feel increased attraction to extra-pair mates, and they place a premium on “sexy” characteristics in men. Their primary mates respond with increased jealousy. Ovulatory shifts in women’s desires are expressed conditionally–for example, they are stronger in women mated to high investing but low attractiveness men. These findings suggest antagonistically coevolved strategies in men and women, and they provide support for the good genes hypothesis of multiple mating by women.