Genes and monogamy/polyamory

[figmo]

This article features a study that says the tendency to be monogamous vs. polyamorous may be genetic.

I would have preferred they use less judgemental language in describing polyamory (why couldn't they just say meadow moles prefer multiple partners?), but the core information in the article is IMHO interesting.

Comments

[sdorn.livejournal.com]

From what I've read, sociological studies suggest that humans tend to ...

Oh, dear. You could finish that sentence with all sorts of claims. To paraphrase you, I suspect that human behavior is slightly more complex than bad evolutionary psychology (aka social-science "Just So" stories).

[scottscidmore.livejournal.com]

I did qualify my statement with "from what I've read", not "expert state", please note.

As I
A) don't have a time machine, so I can't directly observe evolutionary events.
B) Don't feel like setting up experimental societies to see how modern humans would act if raised in certain ways.
C) Don't have time to run around studying societies around the world, ditto for those of our relatives.
D) Am not ready to turn it all over the Big Bearded Guy in The Sky, who says if we don't do what he says we're all bacon bits. Ditto for anyone who states that they know what Big Guy wants, so I should listen to them.

I'm left with reading the tech journals and deciding what appears to be likely. Alternative interpretations of available data are welcome.