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Scent Of A Woman: Evolution, Ovulation And Attraction

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The scent of fertility: new research in evolutionary psychology and the science of attraction.

(greekadman/flickr)
(greekadman/flickr)

We meet. We mate. We stay true. We don’t.

We think we’re driving the process, but a raft of new research in the science of attraction says we may be far more driven by biology and evolution that we know. Driven by cycles and chemical interaction and the literal scent of fertility.

We think of animals as raw pawns of biology. Now, evolutionary psychology is reminding us once again that we are animals too, plus high-minded creatures.

The mere scent of an ovulating woman can drive more reactions than you may guess, without us understanding why.

This hour On Point: the new science of attraction.
- Tom Ashbrook

Guests:

Jon Maner, professor of psychology at Florida State University.

Martie Haselton, professor in the departments of Communication Studies and Psychology at UCLA.

This program aired on March 2, 2011.

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