Differences in Motivations and Emotional Reactions

Samples of male (n= 113) and female (n = 175) college students weresurveyed.Majorities of both sexes agreed with statements indicating that males' sexual attractiveness varied more than females' sexual attractiveness as a function of their status. Subjects who reported more sex partners and a greater aversion to sexual monogamy were slightly more likely to agree tbat tbey tested tbeir partners to see bow far the)' could push tbem. Interviews with bighly sexually active females (n = 32) and males.(n = 24) indicated tbat lowinvestment copulation and lack of control over the sexual access-investment ratio caused even women with verypermissive attitudes and multiple sexpartners to develop an aversion to low-investment copulation. Three levelswere identified in this process. The techniques tbat women with multiple partners used to deal with their feelings are described. Females tested their partners for ability and willingness to invest. Males tested for opportunities to reduce Investment and pursue otber women. Higb staius, for example atbletic stardom, transformed' males' sexual attractiveness to women and numbers of sex partners. Results were consistent with tbe view that the emotional-motivational mecbanisms tbat moderate sexual arousal and attraction are. sexually dimorpbic.