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The Neural Mechanisms of Mate Choice

Bernhard Fink bernhard.fink at aon.at
Mon Jan 13 14:29:17 EST 2003


The Neural Mechanisms of Mate Choice: A Hypothesis

HELEN FISHER, ARTHUR ARON, DEBRA MASHEK, HAIFANG LI, GREG STRONG, & LUCY L.
BROWN

Neuroendocrinology Letters,2002; 23(suppl 4):92-97

Scientists have described many physical and behavioral traits in
avian and mammalian species that evolved to attract mates. But the
brain mechanisms by which conspecifics become attracted to these
traits is unknown. This paper maintains that two aspects of mate
choice evolved in tandem: 1) traits that evolved in the "display
producer" to attract mates and, 2) corresponding neural
mechanisms in the "display chooser" that enable them to
become attracted to these display traits. Then it discusses our (in-
progress) fMRI brain scanning project on human romantic attraction,
what we believe is a developed form of "courtship attraction"
common to avian and mammalian species as well as the primary neural
mechanism underlying avian and mammalian mate choice. The paper
hypothesizes that courtship attraction is associated with elevated
levels of central dopamine and norepinephrine and decreased levels
of central serotonin in reward pathways of the brain. It also
proposes that courtship attraction is part of a triune brain system
for mating, reproduction and parenting.

1) The sex drive evolved to motivate birds and mammals to court any
conspecifics.

2) The attraction system evolved to enable individuals to
discriminate among potential mating partners and focus courtship
activities on particular individuals, thereby conserving mating time
and energy.

3) The neural circuitry for attachment evolved to enable individuals
to complete species-specific parental duties.

http://www.nel.edu/23_s4/NEL231002R09_Fisher.htm








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