An evolutionary psychology approach to unintended pregnancy.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The science of Evolutionary Psychology, specifically mate selection theory, was used to frame the domestic and global issue of unintended pregnancy. Specifically, 8 preferred female mating characteristics: commitment, a partner's desire for home and family, physical attractiveness, ambition, good financial prospects, intelligence, physical fitness and health, and social status, were hypothesized to be risk factors for women to become pregnant when these characteristics are displayed by a partner or potential partner. Risk to become pregnant was defined as, a female who does not use a birth control method, uses a method inconsistently, and or does not require her partner to consistently use a birth control method.
Female respondents (N = 385) were recruited from two community colleges located in Eastern Washington, and were enrolled in classes in a variety of academic disciplines. Special attention was given to survey construction. Survey questions for eight mating characteristics were presented in a Likert format and structured in such a way that respondents first had to reveal their perceptions of "other" women's preferences in a partner and willingness to risk pregnancy, before revealing their own preferences.
Data were analyzed using non-parametric methods. The results showed respondents perceived that "other" women, as well as themselves, preferred a partner or potential partner that displayed the 8 characteristics. They perceived "other" women were willing to risk pregnancy for these same 8 characteristics. They revealed they too were willing to risk pregnancy for these characteristics in lesser degree than "other" women were. They revealed they had in the past, risked pregnancy in varying degrees, for these characteristics.
The science of evolutionary psychology, specifically mating preferences, provides fertile ground to expand the current model in interpreting "intention" concerning unintended pregnancy, as this study shows that women are willing to risk pregnancy, and have risked pregnancy when a partner or potential partner displays female mating preferences. In addition, the results of this study are poised to create a paradigm shift in how we develop social marketing campaigns when looking at unintended pregnancy and issues such as male contraception compliance, teenage pregnancy, and abstinence programs.