Smart women still making stupid mistakes?

Is it possible that when it comes to relationships, smart women keep making the same stupid mistakes over and over again? Why are we wired this way? I mean the most traumatic things we experienced in growing up, instead of avoiding them, we choose people who remind us of them or who make us relive the same dreadful events. This is one of the explanations that Dr. Drew gives on Loveline, the radio talk show that I listen to most nights. But, why are we wired this way? He doesn't fully explain that one. I guess we're always looking for that invisible, magic key to finally have a good relationship with the rejecting, critical, or abusive parent(s).

Now, in psychology class we learned that rats could learn a maze by watching other rats run the maze and if there were a shock at one end, they also learned to avoid it. So, it is possible for them (and us) to have vicarious learning. Then, why can't a hurt individual learn to find the right kind of person (as opposed to the wrong kind of person) to match up with? Why can't they observe their peers, their heroes, their idols, or their mentors experience a loving, stable relationship and say, "That's for me!"

They may even say, "That's for me!" but their radar finds the guy who leaves them alone on holidays, who cheats, who is distant or unavailable, who is married or gay, who is jealous and controlling or who is cheap and stingy even with his affection. There's all kinds of wrong men and I'm not talking about whether the guy is a nerd, or can't hold a tune, fix a car, or can't dance. I mean serious trouble. I mean the guy who can get you into serious debt, who can get you hooked on cocaine or heroin or cigarettes, or marajuana, or drink. That's what I'm talking about.