Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Buss, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a pioneer in the field of evolutionary psychology.
We explore the science behind human mate selection in both short- and long-term relationships. We discuss universal traits valued in long-term partners along with key differences between women and men in what they prioritize when selecting a mate. We also discuss the darker aspects of mating behavior, such as deception, the evolutionary function of jealousy and the motivations behind stalking.
Episode show notes: go.hubermanlab.com/91Vn4e1
Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch the full-length episode: youtu.be/HXzTbCEqCJc
Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials episodes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S
*Follow Huberman Lab*
Instagram: instagram.com/hubermanlab
Threads: threads.net/@hubermanlab
X: twitter.com/hubermanlab
Facebook: facebook.com/hubermanlab
TikTok: tiktok.com/@hubermanlab
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman
Website: hubermanlab.com
Newsletter: hubermanlab.com/newsletter
*Dr. David Buss*
Books: amzn.to/4pPNWS3
Lab website: https://labs.la.utexas.edu/buss/david-buss
X: https://x.com/ProfDavidBuss
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidmbuss
*Timestamps*
00:00:00 David Buss
00:00:21 Mate Selection, Preferences & Competition
00:03:26 Desirable Qualities of Men & Women, Universal Traits for Long-Term Mates
00:04:38 Women’s Preferences; Men’s Preferences; Age Differences
00:08:58 Mate Deception & Online Dating, Tool: Travel, Stress & Emotional Stability
00:12:07 Short- vs Long-Term Mates, Men vs Women Preferences
00:14:23 Jealousy, Mate Value Discrepancy, Vigilance to Violence
00:17:07 The Dark Triad, Sexual Harassment & Coercion
00:19:14 Stalking, Motivations & Outcomes
00:21:53 Childhood Attachment Styles & Relationship Stability
00:22:58 Self-Assessment for Mate Value, Self-Esteem
00:26:35 Evolutionary Psychology & Neuroscience
00:27:20 David Buss’ Books; Acknowledgements
Disclaimer & Disclosures: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Buss, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a pioneer in the field of evolutionary psychology.
We explore the science behind human mate selection in both short- and long-term relationships. We discuss universal traits valued in long-term partners along with key differences between women and men in what they prioritize when selecting a mate. We also discuss the darker aspects of mating behavior, such as deception, the evolutionary function of jealousy and the motivations behind stalking.
Episode show notes: go.hubermanlab.com/91Vn4e1
Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch the full-length episode: youtu.be/HXzTbCEqCJc
Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials episodes: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S
*Follow Huberman Lab*
Instagram: instagram.com/hubermanlab
Threads: threads.net/@hubermanlab
X: twitter.com/hubermanlab
Facebook: facebook.com/hubermanlab
TikTok: tiktok.com/@hubermanlab
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman
Website: hubermanlab.com
Newsletter: hubermanlab.com/newsletter
*Dr. David Buss*
Books: amzn.to/4pPNWS3
Lab website: https://labs.la.utexas.edu/buss/david-buss
X: https://x.com/ProfDavidBuss
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidmbuss
*Timestamps*
00:00:00 David Buss
00:00:21 Mate Selection, Preferences & Competition
00:03:26 Desirable Qualities of Men & Women, Universal Traits for Long-Term Mates
00:04:38 Women’s Preferences; Men’s Preferences; Age Differences
00:08:58 Mate Deception & Online Dating, Tool: Travel, Stress & Emotional Stability
00:12:07 Short- vs Long-Term Mates, Men vs Women Preferences
00:14:23 Jealousy, Mate Value Discrepancy, Vigilance to Violence
00:17:07 The Dark Triad, Sexual Harassment & Coercion
00:19:14 Stalking, Motivations & Outcomes
00:21:53 Childhood Attachment Styles & Relationship Stability
00:22:58 Self-Assessment for Mate Value, Self-Esteem
00:26:35 Evolutionary Psychology & Neuroscience
00:27:20 David Buss’ Books; Acknowledgements
Disclaimer & Disclosures: hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
