Ancient instincts in a modern world: where evolved drives misfire
Gad Saad applies evolutionary explanations to diet, variety seeking and consumer behavior, Matt Rife and Joe Rogan connect politics and money to ancient instincts and soft times, and David Buss shows evolved mating psychology at work in modern dating. The shared idea is that many current habits make more sense once you see the old problem they were built to solve.
What is the mismatch hypothesis? Show answer
Traits that helped hunter-gatherers, such as craving fatty food when calories were scarce, become harmful in a world of abundance.
What three things hide under the word misfire? Show answer
Drives that fail in a new environment, drives that still work but do damage, and drives others have learned to trigger.
What does the candy and pasta research show? Show answer
Variety alone raises consumption. People eat more from mixed colors or shapes though the taste is unchanged.
Why do the very rich move beyond expensive cars, according to Gad Saad? Show answer
A signal works only while it is costly. Once peers can all afford the car, spending shifts to more wasteful displays.
What do both sexes want in a partner across cultures? Show answer
Intelligence, kindness, mutual attraction and love, good health, dependability and emotional stability.
How does David Buss explain average sex differences in preferences? Show answer
Women bear the costs of pregnancy, so they weigh resources and status more. Men weigh cues of youth and health.
How does modern dating distort evolved mate choice? Show answer
People judge from profiles and photos, lies are easy, and the friends and relatives who once vouched for a partner are absent.
How do people typically lie on dating profiles? Show answer
Men inflate income by about 20 percent and add about two inches of height. Women take about 15 pounds off their weight.
How does Buss describe jealousy? Show answer
As an evolved emotion protecting a long-term bond, which can lead to harmful tactics. Describing it is not endorsing it.
How should Joe Rogan's evolutionary claims be treated? Show answer
As a host's speculation. His points on tribal leaders, soft times and technology come without data.
Can evolved instincts be changed? Show answer
Buss says no. We can only activate some parts of our evolved psychology and keep others quiet.
What warning signs call for outside help? Show answer
Verbal abuse, being cut off from friends and family, violence or stalking.