Sexual strategies theory
Sexual strategies theory (SST) is an evolutionary view of human mating developed by David Buss and David Schmitt in 1993. It builds on Robert Trivers’ parental investment theory and asks what mating strategies people use, what problems men and women face, and what evolved solutions help them succeed. It treats mating as strategic, not random, even if people aren’t always aware of it.
Two key dimensions shape mating: time and sex. Time runs from short-term mating (casual sex, one-night stands) to long-term mating (lasting commitments). There are also intermediate forms like dating. The two variables are: how long the mating goal lasts, and whether a person is male or female, which influence different pressures and tactics.
SST offers several ideas about how behavior changes with conditions. When more women are available than men, men may pursue more short-term encounters; when men are scarce, both sexes lean toward long-term strategies. A male surplus can be linked to polyandry in some readings. The “dark triad” traits—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—are associated with exploitative short-term tactics, deception, and coercion.
The theory also notes that parasite prevalence can make physical attractiveness more important, since beauty can signal health. Social role theory, a rival view by Eagly and Wood, argues that gender differences come from social roles rather than evolved minds. Some researchers compare the two theories differently: SST emphasizes evolved mating psychology, while social structure focuses on culture and socialization.
Debates exist, and both theories have limits. Many researchers believe evolution has shaped both the body and the mind, with culture strongly shaping how people act. Interestingly, sex differences in mating preferences can be larger in more gender-equal cultures, a point some see as challenging social role predictions. This short overview explains how SST links mating decisions to biology, environment, and culture.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:35 (CET).