How our brains resist straying

Regina Nuzzo, in an article special to the Los Angeles Times, explores the mating game and gives a great scientific perspective on how, when there are so many choices in the world, we choose and stay, not stray, with one partner. Here’s the start of her article:

How our brains resist straying

Men and women react differently to temptation, research shows. Some of it is instinctual, but loyalty can also be a trained response.

In the pursuit of happily-ever-after, the odds seem to be stacked against us.

Men and women reap huge benefits when they stick around with a good partner – staying happier and healthier, living longer and passing along more genes. But the sticking-around part is a challenge. We don’t get long-term relationship payoffs right away. And until then – between the once-upon-a-time and the happily-ever-after – plenty of temptations can beckon.

Not that it’s wrong to shop around before settling down. But there always will be enticing alternative mates – whether heart-grabbing or merely eye-catching. So researchers wonder: With so many attractive alternatives, how do humans manage to maintain relationships at all?

The brain appears to have some tricks up its neural sleeve. A new line of research is exploring how automatic psychological mechanisms kick into action when the eye starts to wander, helping resist temptation and strengthening the relationship – even without us being aware of it. Read the rest.