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Are humans naturally monogamous?

A polygamous listener wonders why having a single partner is so often the social norm.

CrowdScience listener Alina is in a polygamous relationship, and is very happy with this arrangement. Which got her thinking – why is monogamy so often the norm in human societies?

Presenter Caroline Steel goes on an anthropological odyssey to figure out where this drive to find a single partner - and stick with them - comes from.

What can evolutionary biology tell us about how human relationships developed, whether having one or many partners is more 'natural', and where love fits into the picture?

Release date:

27 minutes

On radio

Fri 14 Mar 2025 20:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 14 Mar 2025 20:32GMT
  • Fri 14 Mar 2025 21:32GMT
  • Mon 17 Mar 2025 02:32GMT
  • Mon 17 Mar 2025 05:32GMT
  • Mon 17 Mar 2025 09:32GMT
  • Mon 17 Mar 2025 13:32GMT

Podcast