The risky behavior of males has been proposed to be a strategy to display the relative quality of men’s genes and increase their competitiveness in gaining access to a mate. Low mood, a constellation of depression symptoms with less severity than to warrant a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis, has been proposed to be an adaptive strategy to reduce harm and conserve energy in the face of competition. It is hypothesized in this study that males’ strategy of gaining access to a mate through displaying risky behavior will result in higher perceptions of their own value as a mate and the value of their short-term and long-term mates. It is also hypothesized that men who engage in risky behavior to increase their competitiveness will display fewer low mood symptoms than those who do not engage in risky behavior. Two hundred forty men between the ages of 18-36 years completed decision problems assessing risk preference and aversion, the Mate Value Inventory, and the Depression-Dejection subscale of the Profile of Mood States-Short Form. The results of a MANOVA analysis suggest that there were no significant differences between risky and non-risky males on their perception of their own mate value, the value of their short-term or long-term mates, and on low mood. The discussion focuses on the possible reasons for the pattern of responses displayed by the participants and methodological concerns. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 2005. / Supervisors: Martin Daly and Margo Wilson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-74).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Detroit, 1967. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-52).

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Indiana University of Pennsylvania. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 157-172). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Delaware, 2008. / Principal faculty advisor: Douglas W. Tallamy, Dept. of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-85)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-154).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Louisville, 2004. / Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences. Vita. "May 2004." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 190-204).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-85)