Citation

Sheldon MS, Cooper ML, Geary DC, Hoard M, DeSoto MC. Person. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 2006; 32(12): 1659-1673.

Affiliation

Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211, USA. sheldonm@missouri.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0146167206292690

PMID

17122178

Abstract

Three studies examined the relationship between fertility, as indexed by day in cycle or salivary estradiol levels, and reported motives for sexual intercourse. Data from university and community samples in both cross-sectional and repeated-measures designs showed that sex-for-intimacy motives are endorsed significantly less by women who are relatively more fertile or show higher salivary estrogen levels. Sex for enhancement, self-affirmation, and partner approval also declined, although the data were less consistent. The remaining motives (coping and power) showed no consistent patterns across fertility status. Results suggest that sexual motives are rooted partly in woman's biology and are discussed in terms of plausible evolutionary mechanisms that might promote female "choosiness" at midcycle.

Language: en