Episode 76: Tania Reynolds - How Women Compete for Men

Tania Reynolds is a scientist, a researcher, and an assistant professor of evolution and development at the University of New Mexico. During our conversation, Tania explains the field of evolutionary psychology, the evolutionary history and culture of hunter-gatherer societies, what we know about how women compete for men, the role and purpose of gossip in female social life and competition, the importance of finding high-quality men for women, why women are driven to find super-nice friends, and why equality is often so important to female relationships.

As I have mentioned on this show, I think the field of evolutionary psychology is the most fascinating and revelatory area of research in modern science. Tania's career is just beginning, and to me, she is focusing on the subjects that attempt to accurately explain human nature, why we are the way we are. I loved this conversation and all of the taboo, politically incorrect, and humbling topics we discuss.

Robert Greene has noted that we often like to think that we are descended from angels, not from primates. I think understanding our animal nature, our hardwired tendencies, can help us be more compassionate towards other fellow, flawed apes, more honest with ourselves, and more capable of acclimating our lives to flourish with this reality.

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(00:00) Intro

(02:51) What is evolutionary psychology?

(06:16) Why is ev psych interesting?

(09:18) What women want: high-quality men

(18:16) Patrilocal social groups and women

(21:51) Female friends: coalitional partner in reputational warfare

(28:50) Female reputational competition and manipulation

(37:40) The influence of sex ratios on dating cultures

(44:21) Tania's advice for young men

(50:00) The evolutionary reason for "slut shaming"

(56:30) Females emphasize equal outcomes; males, equal opportunities

(01:04:09) What should people do with evolutionary psychology's findings?