Download Running head: PATHOGEN PREVALENCE AND HUMAN MATE 1

Running head: PATHOGEN PREVALENCE AND HUMAN MATE
Pathogen prevalence and human mate preferences
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Author Note
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PATHOGEN PREVALENCE AND HUMAN MATE
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Pathogen prevalence and human mate preferences
The study carried out an analysis on the importance of physical appearance in places
where there is a high prevalence of pathogens. The authors stated the hypothesis that human
mate preference was biased towards individuals who were physically attractive in places
where there was a high prevalence of pathogens. The authors examined individuals from
thirty seven different societies that were in six continents and five islands. The participants
were given eighteen items to rank in terms of importance when they choose their mate. The
findings illustrate that pathogen prevalence correlated with average attractiveness. However,
the findings were consistent only in environments where pathogen incidence was high. In
essence, the results supported the hypothesis suggested by the authors. However, the authors
acknowledged the fact that the results were influenced by some limitations.
The results occur due to the fact that humans instinctively aim to reproduce. Hence,
individuals in societies with parasites choose physically attractive mates due to the perception
that they have good genes. Pathogens are capable of influencing reproduction as the
individuals affected tend to develop certain physical traits that make them less attractive and
appealing to the opposite sex. The authors state that the results were as expected due to the
fact that host-parasite genes have maintained addictive genetic variance in fitness. Hence, the
phenomenon makes it important for the hosts to select a mate that is resistant to pathogens.
As mentioned above, the results were highly dependent on the environment. This is because
in areas were pathogens were not highly prevalent, other qualities were highly rated in
choosing the mate. Individuals in these environments were able to reproduce and physical
attractiveness did not possess an advantage in terms of resistance to pathogens.
The authors mentioned alternative hypotheses such as the avoidance hypothesis. The
reason for individuals choosing physically attractive mates could be due to their current
health and their low parasite load. Hence, considering the fact that parasites are contagious,
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individuals are unwilling to choose mates who may infect them. Cultural studies also
illustrate infections and some evidence of disease as unattractive qualities. Hence, this could
also be the reason people choose physically attractive mates. Physical attractiveness is also
discriminated by different features such as prominent cheek bones and wide chins. These
have been closely associated with the immune system. They are considered handicaps of the
immune system and individuals who are susceptible to parasites cannot afford possess these
handicaps.
As mentioned above, the study is associated with different limitations. The authors
could assess more potential confounds. Another way would be to assess the residence history
of the participants. The authors acknowledged the fact that this may be diverse and could
influence the choice of the individuals. An increase in the number of parasites assessed in the
study could also provide better results.
The article is an important indication of human psychology and the importance of
reproduction. It illustrates that humans carry out many activities subconsciously that enable
them to improve their gene pool and ensure that the future generations are at a genetic
advantage against environmental threats. The environment is also an important factor in
influencing human behavior, as the results illustrated the difference in selection between
areas that had a high prevalence of parasites and those that did not.