The Madonna-whore complex may have an evolutionary explanation

by Mane Kara-Yakoubian
March 7, 2024
in Evolutionary Psychology


(Photo credit: OpenAI's DALL·E)


In studying human sexuality and relationships, few concepts have sparked as much debate as Sigmund Freud’s Madonna-Whore complex. This psychological theory, first articulated in the early 20th century, suggests that men divide women into two polar categories: the Madonna, representing purity and maternity, and the Whore, embodying sexual availability and vice. A recent paper published in Evolutionary Psychological Science offers an evolutionary explanation for the Madonna-Whore complex.

The dichotomy of female sexuality is not a novel invention of Freud’s. Literature, long before Freud, grappled with this divide. Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment presented characters that embodied these extremes, highlighting the tension between virtue and vice. Classic works like William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair explore these themes too, demonstrating the dance between societal expectations and individual identity.

The Madonna-Whore complex has been studied from multiple perspectives, including Enlightenment philosophy and feminist theory. Critics argue that it serves as an instrument of female oppression, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and reinforcing gender inequality. Recent research has provided empirical support to the existence of this dichotomy in men’s attitudes towards women, linking it to sexism, objectification, and relationship dissatisfaction

In this paper, researchers Steven Hertler and colleagues offer an evolutionary rationale for the Madonna-Whore complex. Human mating is profoundly shaped by internal fertilization and cryptic ovulation. Unlike other species where fertilization occurs externally or ovulation is conspicuously advertised, humans evolved a system where fertilization is hidden within the body, and the timing of ovulation is obscure. This adaptation creates uncertainty around paternity, a significant evolutionary pressure for males who risk investing resources in offspring not genetically theirs.

Unlike many other mammals, human offspring require prolonged care and resources to reach maturity. This investment, while crucial for the survival and propagation of our species, introduces a vulnerability for men: the risk of cuckoldry, or investing in offspring that are not their own. Herein lies the evolutionary rationale for the Madonna aspect of the complex, favoring women who are perceived as more likely to be faithful and thus ensure the paternity of offspring.

The multi-male/multi-female social structures that early humans likely inhabited further complicated mating. The plentiful opportunities for both short- and long-term mating strategies likely intensified male competition and concerns over paternity. The evolution of mate guarding behaviors and jealousy can be viewed as outcomes of these socioecological pressures, with the Madonna-Whore complex serving as a psychological extension of these strategies, guiding men towards women who would be more likely to ensure their genetic legacy.

As human societies evolved from hunter-gatherer bands to industrial societies, the accumulation and transference of wealth became a significant factor in mating decisions. This magnified the stakes of paternal investment, as men now had not only their genetic legacy to consider but also their material legacy. In such contexts, the desire for a “Madonna” — a woman perceived as virtuous and faithful — became even more pronounced, ensuring that a man’s resources would benefit his biological offspring.

Hertler and colleagues argue that the Madonna-Whore complex’s variability across cultures and environments can also be explained through biogeographical and life history strategies. In harsher climates and environments where resources are scarce or difficult to procure, the emphasis on paternal certainty and investment increases, possibly intensifying the dichotomous view of female sexuality. But in environments where resources are abundant and survival less precarious, these pressures may subside, leading to more relaxed attitudes towards sexuality.

Importantly, this perspective does not excuse or justify harmful stereotypes or behaviors but seeks to understand their origins. Evolutionary psychology offers a lens through which to view the Madonna-Whore complex, not as a moral failing or social construct, but as an adaptation to the reproductive challenges our ancestors faced.

The paper, “An Evolutionary Explanation of the Madonna‑Whore Complex”, was authored by Steven Hertler, Mateo Perñaherrera‑Aguirre, and Aurelio José Figueredo.