subject: Biologically, Women Avoid Inbreeding: Women Avoid Fathers When Most Fertile [print this page] Biologically, Women Avoid Inbreeding: Women Avoid Fathers When Most Fertile
Women subconsciously diminish contact with their fathers on the days they are most fertile.
A joint study from UCLA, the University of Miami, and California State Fullerton used a complex examination of cell phone records to study behavior between women and their fathers. The results demonstrate that women talk less frequently and for shorter periods of time when they are menstruating.
What is most striking about the study is that the results are consistent with studies of other animals. "Evolutionary biologists have found that females in other species avoid social interactions with male kin during periods of high fertility," Study leader Debra Lieberman of the University of Miami stated.
In fact, the motivation behind the study lay in the knowledge of behavior patterns of other animals. "But until we conducted our study, nobody knew whether a similar pattern occurred in women," Lieberman explained.
The research came from 48 cell phone records of women between the ages of 18 and 22. Researchers studied the subjects' phone calls with their mothers and fathers during one billing period and applied that period to the subject's menstrual cycle. The results showed that women contacted their fathers about 50% less frequently when they were ovulating than when they were not.
The pattern was not the same for women and their mothers nor was there any pattern in the frequency of fathers calling their daughters.
During low fertility days, women spoke with their fathers an average of 3.4 minutes per day. On high fertility days, the average woman spoke with her father for 1.7 minutes per day.
The study builds on a growing body of evidence on subconscious female behavior in promoting healthy offspring. Researchers believe the behavior stems from an innate psychological drive to avoid breeding unhealthy children. "The behavior has long been explained as a means of avoiding inbreeding and the negative consequences associated with it," explains Lieberman.
"In humans, women are only fertile for a short window of time within their menstrual cycle. Sexual decisions during this time are critical as they could lead to pregnancy and the long-term commitment of raising a child. For this reason, it makes sense that women would reduce their interactions with male genetic relatives, who are undesirable mates."
Such results add interesting biological components to the field of gynecology.
Previous studies have proven that women are more attracted to prominent masculine features on the days they are most fertile. Studies have yet to examine whether the same patters are true for women with infertility problems.
While these behavior patterns are subtle, they are significant in relating humans to their biological, animal instincts.
"This suggests that although human culture has in many ways changed at a rapid pace, our every day decisions are often still tied to ancient factors affecting survival and reproduction," researcher Martie Haselton explains.
The results are published in the journal Psychological Science.
