In biology, mating is the pairing of either opposite-sex or hermaphroditic organisms for the purposes of sexual reproduction. Fertilization is the fusion of two gametes. [1]

As psychology and science see it, mating is the entire repertoire of behaviors that animals—including humans—engage in the pursuit of finding a partner for intimacy or reproduction. It...

Humans in all cultures engage in various forms of mating, including marriage or committed pair-bonding as well as short-term, casual sexual relationships. Given that reproduction is at the heart of natural …

Dec 10, 2025 · Humans may be far more monogamous by nature than previously thought, researchers say. Monogamy in humans is comparable more to the exclusive mating seen in meerkats and …

There are many ideas about human mating systems, varying from culture to culture. While some cultures hold the ideal that monogamy is the best mating system for humans, others strictly believe in …

Dec 18, 2022 · The scientific studies of human mating have only recently risen, revealing fresh discoveries about mate attraction, mate choice, marital satisfaction, and other topics.

Sep 6, 2025 · The answer is a complex one: While basic biological drives are innate, successful mating involves learned social and emotional skills. The question of whether humans naturally know how to …

Nov 28, 2024 · Explore human mating strategies: evolution, long & short-term relationships, culture, and factors influencing mate choices.

5 days ago · Sticking with a long-term life partner to rear children has long been considered a dominant mating pattern for our species, although reproductive monogamy is not universal across our many …

May 26, 2022 · The following characteristics are examples of evidence that suggest a human monogamous history, which may help to explain why the mating system that is now prevalent exists.