Middlebury

FYSE 1433

Biology of Attraction

Biology of Attraction
Why is one person attracted to another? We will explore both the evolutionary origins of mate choice and the physiological mechanisms that underlie attraction. The process of sexual selection, first proposed by Charles Darwin, shapes the mating decisions and courtship displays in all animal species, and we will consider how the same process shapes human preferences and potentially human intelligence more broadly. Based on recent research with rodents, we will also consider how neural connections and hormone levels influence feelings of love and lust. The Evolution of Beauty and The Chemistry Between Us will be our primary texts, supplemented by journal articles. 3 hrs sem
Subject:
First Year Seminar
Department:
First-Year Seminar Program
Division:
Interdisciplinary
Requirements Fulfilled:
CW SCI

Sections in Fall 2020, School Abroad Spain (Madrid)

Fall 2020

FYSE1433A-F20 Seminar (Spritzer)