Scientists explain the senselessness of finding the perfect partner

From the point of view of evolution, it’s better for most people to choose the fastest and most affordable option when choosing a life partner, and not take risks and wait for a meeting with an ideal partner. This theory was suggested by microbiologists from the University of Michigan. They presented their research in the journal Nature, and a brief press release from the university tells about it.

Chris Adami (Chris Adami) and his colleagues built a computer model and traced the attitude to risk (when choosing a partner) among thousands of generations of digital organisms. It turned out that their behavior is most affected by the size of their nearest group (“tribe”). When it was on the order of 150 units (as in primitive people), organisms preferred the first partners they found. With a high level of risk (when the decision is very important - the choice of a life partner, rather than colleagues at work or goods in the store), it is more common for people to agree to the safest option, scientists say.

“Primitive people could have sexual intercourse with their first, even non-ideal, partner, and take the risk of giving birth to genetically not the most perfect offspring - or waiting for Mr. (or Miss) Perfection. But then they risked not to leave behind any offspring at all, ”Adami explained.

However, the choice of the safest option turned out to be not the only evolutionary strategy: some individuals were willing to take risks and devote time to finding the ideal partner in order to get the most perfect offspring.

Source - Lenta.ru