When Men Behave Badly by David M. Buss Summary

When Men Behave Badly explores the evolutionary roots of harmful male behaviors like sexual deception, harassment, infidelity, and intimate partner violence. Using evolutionary psychology, David Buss argues these actions stem from conflicts in reproductive strategies between sexes, backed by cross-cultural studies, animal analogies, and real-world anecdotes.

This book suits readers interested in psychology, gender dynamics, or relationships. It’s valuable for professionals in counseling, sociology, or law enforcement seeking insights into male aggression and strategies to mitigate interpersonal conflict. Fans of evolutionary psychology or books like The Evolution of Desire will appreciate Buss’s research-driven approach.

Yes, for its rigorous analysis of sexual conflict through an evolutionary lens. Buss combines academic studies with relatable stories, offering actionable advice to reduce harmful behaviors. Critics praise its bold challenge to social science dogmas, though some note its focus on male culpability over systemic factors.

Buss’s theory posits that men and women face inherent conflicts in mating strategies: men often prioritize short-term sexual access, while women seek long-term resource provision. These mismatched goals drive deception, jealousy, and coercion, perpetuating costly interpersonal struggles.

Men may feign emotional commitment or financial status to attract partners, a tactic evolutionarily tied to maximizing reproductive success. Buss highlights studies showing men with Dark Triad traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) are more likely to exploit women through dishonesty.

Infidelity triggers intense conflict due to evolutionary risks: men fear paternal uncertainty, while women risk losing resources. Buss cites cross-cultural data on secret affairs, mate-guarding behaviors, and revenge tactics like revenge porn post-breakup.

Buss links IPV to evolutionary triggers like mate value discrepancies (e.g., older men with younger partners) and suspicions of infidelity. He argues controlling behaviors, from surveillance to physical abuse, often stem from perceived threats to reproductive interests.

• For women: Recognize “exploitability signals” (e.g., low self-esteem) that predatory men target.
• For men: Channel competitive instincts into non-harmful domains (e.g., career).
• For couples: Align on long-term goals to reduce strategic mismatches.

Buss rejects feminist claims that patriarchy alone explains male aggression, arguing evolutionary roots predate culture. Conversely, he dismisses Red Pill ideologies that glorify manipulation, emphasizing their costs to women and men’s long-term reputations.

Some scholars argue Buss overstates evolutionary explanations while underplaying cultural factors like media or economic inequality. Others note the book’s heteronormative focus and limited discussion of female-initiated conflict.

Buss compares stalking rates in the U.S. vs. Japan, bride-kidnapping in Central Asia, and honor killings in patriarchal societies to demonstrate universal vs. culturally specific manifestations of sexual conflict.

Buss received the APA Distinguished Scientific Award (1988), G. Stanley Hall Lectureship (1990), and Robert W. Hamilton Book Award (2000) for Evolutionary Psychology. His work is cited in over 200 articles and six books.