Could there be a male commitment skepticism bias and a female sexual overperception bias? novel hypotheses based on error management theory

Abstract

Error management theory is an important and fruitful scientific theory. However, it might be useful to revisit the way we conceptualize the commitment skepticism bias and the sexual overperception bias to improve their consistency with the core logic of the theory. In this paper, I advance a novel view that allows for the possibility of a male commitment skepticism bias and a female sexual overperception bias. Discussion focuses on the new hypotheses this alternative conceptualization yields, the hidden assumptions it relies on, and the conceptual and empirical benefits it may offer.