Primates established monogamous mating systems to protect their offspring.
Hi, folks. A few studies show that those men with higher IQs are more faithful and approve of monogamy more likely than less intelligent men. This is perhaps surprising for some people because there is this false narrative man is not created to be monogamous, in evolutionary terms. I hear that constantly from men and women. Some are more progressive and believe both men and women are not created to be monogamous. Well, that is not true either.
Before I go on, we should ask ourselves: Why are humans living in monogamous relationships for so many centuries now?
A study from Oxford from 2013 gave us an idea: “Humans developed to being monogamous to protect their children from being killed by other males and this ultimately led to more intelligent offspring, say scientists”.
The scientists created a family tree and looked back into evolution millions of times ago. They discovered primates changed from multi-male mating systems to monogamous ones, after high levels of male primates killed off the group’s offspring. This evolutionary trait can be assigned to humans as well.
We see this behavior in many animals today. Lions are a species where infanticide is quite common. If a male lion- perpetrator conquers a pack by killing the alpha male, he often kills the children too, so the females mate sooner with him and create new offspring. This provides benefits: Males have, on average, only a two-year window in which to pass on their genes, and lionesses only give birth once every two years”.
However, humans took a lot of advantage in establishing monogamous communities. Males in monogamous relationships are more likely to care for their offspring. Thus, the male is always present to protect the children from other males! This allowed evolution into an intelligent species. It also shows that, in nature, males often are the perpetrators, but they are also the ones protecting the lot from other males. Quite common behavior even today.
Well, back to the topic. Men of higher IQs cheat less than less intelligent men a study from 2010 showed: “More intelligent men are more likely to value monogamy and sexual exclusivity than less intelligent men,” the study concludes. However, the same result was not found for women. The perceived level of intelligence did not affect how much they were unfaithful”.
The study also revealed that men who are the breadwinner, “particularly when they earn over 70% of the household income, they are more likely to cheat […] On the other side of the equation, when women are the breadwinners of the relationship, they are less likely to stray”.
So I’d say it’s high time for women to provide.
Men and women also cheat for different reasons, according to the study. Men are more simple. They cheat when they simply find another person attractive and if they did not have enough sex in the relationship. The top reason for women was that they felt not receiving enough attention anymore from their partners. Women also were more often doubting the relationship before cheating than men. Ok, so this might be a true stereotype after all. Men just want some pussy Ladies, they ask little.
So why do intelligent men cheat less? Perhaps they are more independent of their basic instincts? Intelligent people also look into the future and simulate every potential outcome of an action in their heads. So before cheating, they might be more aware of the consequences this action would have for their family. They might approve of monogamy because they look into the future and wish to have joyful days when they are 80 years old. That is why they invest in good relationships and well-educated children. But why are intelligent women not doing the same?
Well, as the study from 2010, showed women cheat for different reasons than men. It is not necessarily about basic instincts but longing and it might be the case that women are much more aware of their actions while cheating. They decide with more consciousness to cheat. But that is only speculation.
What do you think? Are you surprised by any of this data? Is cheating evil or a natural behavior? Tell me in the comments and be good!
