Evolutionary Psychology

Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships

Name: Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What It Means for Modern Relationships
Rating: 4.8 (1000 reviews)
Author: Christopher Ryan, PhD, and Cacilda Jethá, MD

Christopher Ryan, PhD, and Cacilda Jethá, MD

24 minAudio9 insights

What you'll learn

•How human sexuality evolved in the context of social and ecological conditions.
•The differences between the standard narrative of monogamy and the evidence for prehistoric promiscuity.
•The social and sexual behaviors of our closest primate relatives and their relevance to humans.
•The profound impact of the agricultural revolution on human sexual and social organization.
•Why modern sexual dysfunction and marital challenges may stem from conflicts between biology and culture.
•The role of multiple sexual partnerships and shared parenting in human evolutionary history.
•How to rethink human relationships in light of evolutionary and anthropological evidence.

Who should read this

✓Couples facing sexual dissatisfaction
✓Students of evolutionary psychology and anthropology
✓Relationship therapists and counselors
✓Anyone interested in human nature and sexuality

About this book

A groundbreaking exploration of human sexuality revealing our evolutionary roots in promiscuity and social cooperation, challenging the myth of natural monogamy.

Did You Know?

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Human males have testicles larger than any monogamous primate, supporting the idea of sperm competition.

2 more facts available in the app

Audio Summary

Section 1

Reimagining Human Sexuality: Beyond Myths and Misconceptions

3:45

8 Sections

Preview: Reimagining Human Sexuality: Beyond Myths and Misconceptions

Imagine standing at the edge of a vast jungle, the dawn light casting a golden glow over the trees, much like the dawn of human understanding itself. Our journey into the true nature of human sexuality begins by questioning the stories we have long accepted as truth. We are often prisoners of our own cultural myths, mistaking them for biological realities. Consider the curious case of the Yucatán Peninsula, whose name was born from a simple misunderstanding meaning 'I do not understand you.' This serves as a metaphor for how much of what we think we know about human sexuality is based on assumptions rather than facts.

Our ancestors, living in small, tight-knit groups, shared almost everything — food, shelter, protection, and yes, sexual partners. This sharing was not random or chaotic but a carefully balanced system that ensured survival. Sex was not a private commodity but a social glue that reinforced bonds and minimized conflict. Just as some cultures find insects a delicacy rich in nutrients, while others recoil at the idea, our perceptions of what is natural in sex are deeply influenced by cultural conditioning.

We must begin by recognizing that what feels natural or unnatural is often the product of unexamined cultural norms. The Victorian era, with its prudish views on female sexuality, cast a long shadow that still influences modern thought. Yet, biology and anthropology reveal a different story: one of openness, cooperation, and complexity far beyond the simplistic narratives of monogamy and sexual repression.

As we embark on this exploration, keep in mind that our goal is not to judge but to understand — to peel back the layers of myth and reveal the rich, often surprising truths about our species. Only by embracing this fuller picture can we hope to heal the conflicts and frustrations that plague modern relationships.

With this foundation laid, let us now turn to the evolutionary theories and the assumptions that have shaped our understanding of human sexuality for centuries, and why they may be due for a profound revision.