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Error management theory and the evolution of misbeliefs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 January 2010

Martie G. Haselton  and
David M. Buss
Martie G. Haselton
Affiliation:
Departments of Communication and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095. haselton@ucla.eduhttp://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/comm/haselton/home.html
David M. Buss
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712. dbuss@psy.utexas.eduhttp://www.davidbuss.com
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Abstract

We argue that many evolved biases produced through selective forces described by error management theory are likely to entail misbeliefs. We illustrate our argument with the male sexual overperception bias. A misbelief could create motivational impetus for courtship, overcome the inhibiting effects of anxiety about rejection, and in some cases transform an initially sexually uninterested woman into an interested one.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 32 , Issue 6 , December 2009 , pp. 522 - 523
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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References

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