Dr. David Buss on Huberman Lab: Why Men and Women Differ

Jealousy is a mate-guarding system calibrated to real threats, Buss explains. Women and men also deceive for different traits, warping online dating signals.

Andrew HubermanhostDr. David Bussguest

Oct 2, 202531mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: October 2, 2025
Duration: 31m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. David Buss, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a pioneer in the field of evolutionary psychology. We explore the science behind human mate selection in both short- and long-term relationships. We discuss universal traits valued in long-term partners along with key differences between women and men in what they prioritize when selecting a mate. We also discuss the darker aspects of mating behavior, such as deception, the evolutionary function of jealousy and the motivations behind stalking. Episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/91Vn4e1 Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch the full-length episode: https://youtu.be/HXzTbCEqCJc Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S *Follow Huberman Lab* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://www.hubermanlab.com/newsletter *Dr. David Buss* Books: https://amzn.to/4pPNWS3 Lab website: https://labs.la.utexas.edu/buss/david-buss X: https://x.com/ProfDavidBuss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmbuss *Timestamps* 00:00:00 David Buss 00:00:21 Mate Selection, Preferences & Competition 00:03:26 Desirable Qualities of Men & Women, Universal Traits for Long-Term Mates 00:04:38 Women’s Preferences; Men’s Preferences; Age Differences 00:08:58 Mate Deception & Online Dating, Tool: Travel, Stress & Emotional Stability 00:12:07 Short- vs Long-Term Mates, Men vs Women Preferences 00:14:23 Jealousy, Mate Value Discrepancy, Vigilance to Violence 00:17:07 The Dark Triad, Sexual Harassment & Coercion 00:19:14 Stalking, Motivations & Outcomes 00:21:53 Childhood Attachment Styles & Relationship Stability 00:22:58 Self-Assessment for Mate Value, Self-Esteem 00:26:35 Evolutionary Psychology & Neuroscience 00:27:20 David Buss’ Books; Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Dr. David Buss
guest

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. David Buss, Dr. David Buss on Huberman Lab: Why Men and Women Differ explores evolutionary Secrets Behind How Humans Choose, Keep, And Lose Partners Andrew Huberman and evolutionary psychologist Dr. David Buss discuss how Darwin’s theory of sexual selection explains modern human mate choice, from first attraction through long‑term partnership and breakup. They outline universal traits both sexes value, key sex differences in preferences, and how context shifts what people seek in short‑term versus long‑term relationships.

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