Roles of Emotions in Human Mating System and Related Concepts

Roles of Emotions in Human Mating System

The biological predispositions for human mating bonds include brain mechanisms that promote the twin emotions of romantic love and sexual jealousy. These emotions have been reported to exist across all studied cultures (Buss, 2011; Fisher, 2004). People universally develop strong emotional attachments to those they find sexually attractive. A dominant feeling associated with romantic love is a deep-seated need to maintain close physical proximity to the partner. Conversely, sexual jealousy emerges when individuals perceive their mates showing sexual interest towards others, serving to preserve mating bonds.

The evolutionary basis of jealousy is such that it motivates partners to take actions designed to prevent their