David Buss

David M. Buss
Born	April 14, 1953 Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley
Known for	Evolutionary psychology, human mating strategies
Scientific career
Fields	Evolutionary psychology
Institutions	University of Texas at Austin
Doctoral advisor	Donald T. Campbell

David M. Buss (born April 14, 1953) is a prominent American evolutionary psychologist known for his research on human mating strategies, sexual selection, and the evolutionary basis of human behavior. He is a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and has authored numerous influential books and articles in the field of psychology.

Early Life and Education

David Buss was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed an interest in psychology. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981, where he studied under the guidance of Donald T. Campbell, a renowned psychologist known for his work on evolutionary epistemology and social psychology.

Academic Career

After completing his doctorate, Buss held faculty positions at Harvard University and the University of Michigan before joining the University of Texas at Austin, where he has been a professor since 1996. His research has focused on understanding the evolutionary mechanisms underlying human behavior, particularly in the context of mating and sexual selection.

Research Contributions

Buss is best known for his work on human mating strategies. His research has explored how evolutionary pressures have shaped the ways in which humans select mates, compete for partners, and navigate complex social relationships. Some of his key contributions include:

• Sexual Selection and Mate Preferences: Buss has conducted extensive cross-cultural studies to identify universal patterns in mate preferences. His findings suggest that men and women have evolved distinct preferences that reflect different reproductive challenges.

• The Evolution of Desire: In his book "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating," Buss outlines the evolutionary basis for human mating behavior, drawing on evidence from a wide range of cultures.

• Jealousy and Infidelity: Buss has also explored the evolutionary roots of jealousy and infidelity, proposing that these emotions have evolved as mechanisms to protect reproductive interests.

Publications

David Buss has authored several influential books and numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals. Some of his notable works include:

• "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating"
• "The Dangerous Passion: Why Jealousy is as Necessary as Love and Sex"
• "Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind"

Awards and Honors

Buss has received numerous awards for his contributions to psychology, including the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology from the American Psychological Association.

Also see

• Evolutionary psychology
• Human mating strategies
• Sexual selection
• Donald T. Campbell

External links

• [David Buss's faculty page at the University of Texas at Austin](https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/faculty/bussdm)
• [David Buss's personal website](http://www.davidbuss.com)