Evolutionary psychology is a new and revolutionary science, rapidly growing in scientific practice and media attention. David Buss, a leading researcher in the field, has written the first comprehensive text on the subject, introducing students to a new perspective on the fascinating puzzles of human nature. Composed of cutting-edge research and featuring an engaging writing style, the author offers compelling scientific answers to the profound human questions of love and work. Beginning with a historical introduction, the text logically progresses by discussing adaptive problems that humans face, and ends with a unifying chapter showing how the new field of evolutionary psychology encompasses all branches of psychology.

Each chapter is alive with the subjects that most occupy our minds: sex, mating, getting along, getting ahead, friends, enemies, and social hierarchies. Why is child abuse 40 times more prevalent among step-families than biologically intact families? According to one study, why did 75% of men but 0% of women consent to have sex with a complete stranger? Buss explores these intriguing quandaries with his vision of psychology in the new millennium as a new science of the mind.