Why do human and non-human species conceal mating? The cooperation maintenance hypothesis

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences • Vol/Iss. 287(1932) • The Royal Society • • Published In • Pages: ??•
By Ben Mocha, Yitzchak

Abstract

Using cross-cultural comparative approaches among 249 cultures, this study explores the uniformity in human preference to concealing mating to others. The research questions guiding this study are: 1) Is the preference to conceal in legitimate mating a 'human universal'? and 2). What evolutionary pressures have originated this uniformity? The author proposes the ‘cooperation maintenance hypothesis’, which is built from three premises: sensory stimuli evoke sexual arousal in witnesses, humans are trying to exert control over their mating partner(s), and there is a need to foster within-group cooperation. This hypothesis suggests that concealing mating serves as a behavioral strategy to simultaneously retain control over mating partner(s) and foster cooperation with others. The author states that more analysis is needed to explain this behavior in other non-human species. The findings show support for the widespread pattern of concealment or attempts at concealment.

Note

Note that the author did not show any statistical analysis, just looked for percentages comparisons while reading the ethnographic record to support the hypotheses.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
eHRAF World CulturesResearcher's ownA sample of 249 cultures from 35 geographical regions, without considering the historical period.
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Researcher's own172 cultures in a combined SCCS/EA dataset to control within-culture variation and inter-culture independency.
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)Researcher's own172 cultures in a combined SCCS/EA dataset to control within-culture variation and inter-culture independency.

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Humans will conceal legitimate mating from others in most human societies.Supported
There will be social norms that entitle humans to exert some control over their legitimate mating partner's extramarital relationships.Support claimed
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: stefania.becerralavado