Snyder dislikes the idea that Buss might provide a fig leaf of rationalization for abusive husbands or other jealous lovers. They're difficult to deal with, they live in the past, and they hold grudges. Buss treats jealousy as if it's love's respectable watchdog. Buss's book does present a wealth of fascinating research findings, his and those of others. But women's jealousy is aroused by the thought of the partner's being emotionally intimate with another.
Asymmetrical men are prone to having their women stolen by symmetrical ones.
Men, on the other hand, tend to display resources, buying flowers, jewelry or fancy meals out. Buss goes beyond defending jealousy. He even goes so far as to suggest that evoking it in a partner may increase the partner's commitment. Bad idea, says Snyder. Flirting at a party to achieve this goal signals a buy-in to the idea that when we pair off, we become each other's jealously guarded property.