FREE ESSAY ON BEHAVIOR INVOLVED IN MATE SELECTION AND ATTRACTION

BEHAVIOR INVOLVED IN MATE SELECTION AND ATTRACTION

Reproduction in Homo sapiens, as in all animals, is a primary driving force and has been
elaborated upon since the beginnings of society. Humans must take part in sexual
reproduction to produce offspring, thus initiation behaviors can be studied. Commonly,
the male makes advances and the female is the selector, or chooses the mate. For humans,
this holds true and behavior is modified to maximize competitive receptability. This
phenomenon carries across all cultural boundaries and is deeply rooted in the overall
behavior patterns in the people of the culture. People try to refine their natural
appearance to maximize mating opportunity. The males attempt to enhance features for
success in initiation and females compete for receptability completeness.
Decorations of the face and skin can vary from elongated ear lobes and a pierced nose to
eye shadow and lipstick. Elaborate costumes have been witnessed to help in the process of
mate selection. Behaviors can stem from submissiveness to aggression in the act of
initiation.
The following data was recorded at a local establishment. The interactions recorded were
made between males and females.
Start time 10:30pm:
Target group: young males and females 
Observed behavior:
-approach, by male, to opposite sex
-approach, by female, to opposite sex
-initiation of communication between sexes
-gift presentation to opposite sex (drink buying)
-physical touch by hands by one sex to the other
-physical gesturing and locomotion (dancing)
-intimate physical touch (kissing, hugging)
-Female reaction to male
These activities are part of the initiation process that leads to mate selection and
sexual reproduction. The participants in the mate selecting group also sported various
forms of adornment to increase mate reception. For the males, clothing (some tight or
revealing of body structure), jewelry, scent masking or enhancement, and domineering
posture. Males also revealed a more aggressive behavior style than females. Females
displayed facial coloring (make-up), clothing (some revealing of body), scents, jewelry
on hands, around neck, and in ears, and coloration of fingernails. Females could pose an
inviting body posture to promote initiation and took part in selecting which males are
acceptable.
These types of behaviors witnessed were all part of the American cultural style of
initiation of mate selection. Some of the activities and patterns listed can cross
cultural boundaries. Face painting, ornate dress, and scent proliferation have been
witnessed in many societies at different times throughout the world and history.
One common pattern that was mutual between the sexes was the utility of a "social
lubricant". The individuals witnessed took part in the consumption of alcoholic beverages
to induce social interactivity. At the end of the observation period (approx. 1.5 hrs.
later) some of the females had selected a male of perceived appropriate value. Note that
of the pairings, more symmetrically attractive females attracted more symmetrically
attractive males. This holds true with other cultures and the rest of the animal kingdom.
The most fit male may be seen as the most attractive in this situation and the female who
can chose him does so. Fitness and symmetry are both properties that can reveal genetic
superiority. It is only natural of the female to select a mate of adequate reproductive
potential. This is observed in the study and matches the correlating informaiton about
mate selection. 
Humans follow the same mate selecting pattern as the rest of the animal kingdom.
Although highly modified and complex in comparison to the rest of the animal world the
results are still the same. The most capable male will be selected in the light of the
most fit female. Competition is inherent in this system and, for humans, both sexes try
to promote maximum success. The behavioral patterns witnessed are products of societal
influence and can differ for each society. These behavioral displays are an integral part
of the mate selection process and are prevalent in humans today.