The different aspects of mate selection

Pheromone, secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. These are picked up by our senses, subconsciously processing the data. This was shown by an lab experiment (showcased on Sexual Secrets TV Show), where females are asked to rank the attractiveness by just merely the sweat odour of males.




There were studies also that the sweat odour, byproducts of the bacteria that resided on the hair, have a close link with the immune system. Genetic compatibility and diversification seems to be the main factor of consideration. However, how could such sense be processed in such a fast and quick way? Was learning or even memory involved? Or it is just a natural selection process?



There were studies also that the sweat odour, byproducts of the bacteria that resided on the hair, have a close link with the immune system. Genetic compatibility and diversification seems to be the main factor of consideration. However, how could such sense be processed in such a fast and quick way? Was learning or even memory involved? Or it is just a natural selection process?



Other than senses, Rhodes, G. demonstrated this in her analysis of research dealing with the relationship of symmetry, averageness, and sexual dimorphism to facial attractiveness. She cites research suggesting that each of these facial characteristics may be considered ideally

attractive because they are related to judgments of physical health, also known as the “good-genes” approach beauty. These attractive features may suggest a representation freedom from parasites and infectious diseases.



On the other side, there was an experiment, where 10 females and 10 males, put on suit that cover their body contour figures. All of them have a ranking of attractiveness, 1 - 10 on their forehead, unknown to the person. Each of them are suppose to find their mate and get their mate with a handshake. The result of the experiment shows that in a majority of the case, similiarly ranked female and male are paired together.

Those who wish to aim for the better ranked, if they could not get it, they will settle with the not so high ranked or whoever remains.



So which plays a major role in mate selection process? Does the media communication of attractiveness of figure of 8 and V-shaped bodies is part of the natural selection process or it is evoluting the process?



Or perhaps programs like Bachelor / bachelorette programs, showcasing chooser and competitor scenario; perceived scarcity of "good" mates for graduate with the setting up of SDN and other dating sites; early exposure of sexuality content at a increasingly younger age. How these affect the trend that when people get marry ?



Conscious or subconscious process that happens daily but yet takes much details to describe each and every stage and process.



An experiment (showcased on BBC Discovery) where individual males and females are shown pictures of various nature, ranging from nature to erotic ones. They are asked to rate their level of arousal using a measuring dial. At the same time, they are also measured on the amount of blood in their genital area. The result of the experiment shown the level of arousal indicated by the person may be low, physically they are aroused. This is more apparent with females.



The difference in one conscious and subconscious natural response may suggest that, with our senses, and according to one's defintion of attractiveness, that they are silently attracted to someone.



It puzzles and amaze me how this process has evolved from a simple matchmaking process in the past to the highly researched and continously being researched topic. So is the process of mate selection a purely biological or social process?



Whatever it may be, it may not have a quick impact on the increasing age of marriage in Singapore.