When one goes searching for a mate, one can liken it to goods and services put out into the marketplace. In reality, we all have a certain value on the marketplace which is purely subjective. Men generally are attracted to beauty, women to money and power. When one increases their market value, they are able to attract a mate with a higher market value as well.
As far as sex goes, men are genetically programed to seek quantity as opposed to women who generally seek quality. This can be attributed to the comment you made earlier regarding social Darwinism. Women have to be selective because they can only procreate so many times in their lifetime due to the 9 month gestation period.
Men are more programed to seek quantity - so that they can recreate as many times as possible.
The pill and the sexual revolution has changed things, so women can now concentrate more on the pure pleasure of sex as opposed to being concerned about getting pregnant. I could go on - but I think you already know much of this stuff.
One of my best chapters was seeking the "Power Spot" in social situations....