6c. Sexual Selection: the biology of human mate choice

Question 1

What is intrasexual competition?

Answer 1

Competition between members of the same sex

Question 2

Why does intrasexual competition take place?

Answer 2

For access to potential mates via:
territory (e.g. lekking species)
increased desirability

Question 3

What suggests a clear evolutionary (biological) origin for intrasexual competition?

Answer 3

Positive link between testosterone and competition (increases motivation to compete)

Question 4

According to evolutionary theory, who is more likely to be competitive and why?

Answer 4

Young males (18-40), as they are most active in mate choice

Question 5

Where does evidence as to who is most competitive come from?

Answer 5

Scientists, criminals, artists, musicians and writers

Question 6

Which males have no need to compete?

Answer 6

Married males need to direct resources to partner and offspring (therefore less motivation to compete)

Question 7

Testosterone in relationships - testosterone levels are affected by…

Answer 7

relationship satisfaction
divorce
type of marital system (polygamy vs. monogamy)
levels of parental care
whether it is a 'new' relationship

Question 8

TRUE OR FALSE: There is no difference in testosterone levels between single males and males in ‘new’ relationships.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

What is polygamy?

Answer 9

One man has multiple wives at once

Question 10

How does polygamy affect testosterone levels?

Answer 10

Men who are already married but looking for more wives have high testosterone levels

Question 11

Example of a country where polygamy is used as a marital system

Answer 11

Kenya

Question 12

What suggests that testosterone levels in relationships is psychological?

Answer 12

High levels of testosterone in married males who have an affair

Question 13

Marriage and competition in sport - tennis

Answer 13

Anecdotal evidence that famous male tennis players do not perform as well once they are married

Question 14

Marriage and competition in sport - Farrelly & Nettle (2007)

Answer 14

Success measured by ATP point accrued per year

Married players’ points were lower the year after marriage compared to the year before

Question 15

TRUE OR FALSE: New fathers experience an increase in testosterone levels.

Answer 15

False - fatherhood further suppresses testosterone levels, and leads to longitudinal changes (i.e. more time spend with children, lower testosterone)

Question 16

Testosterone levels and presence of females - research

Answer 16

• testosterone increases in males when interacting with female experimenter (and more so when rated as highly attractive)
• Male skateboarders had higher testosterone and attempted more risky manoeuvres when observed by female

Question 17

Research - individual differences may link testosterone levels with mating effort

Answer 17

Extraversion (which predicts mating effort) positively correlated with male testosterone levels in a polygynous population in Senegal

Question 18

What 3 phases does the menstrual cycle consist of?

Answer 18

Menstruation
Follicular
Luteal

Question 19

What controls the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 19

Complex interplay between different hormones

Question 20

When is peak fertility in the menstrual cycle?

Answer 20

Between days 6-14 of 28 total

Question 21

Behavioural changes across the menstrual cycle?

Answer 21

Oestrus present in other mammalian and primate species

Enhances proceptivity and receptivity to males during fertile stages

Question 22

Why are there no behavioural changes in humans across the menstrual cycle?

Answer 22

Concealed ovulation

Question 23

How do other animals give away which stage of the menstrual cycle they’re at?

Answer 23

Lordosis reflex:
Lifting of hind quarters for sexual receptivity
Swollen perineum
Bright red in certain primates

Question 24

According to evolutionary theory, should females’ mating behaviour vary across the menstrual cycle?

Answer 24

Yes…
Increased chance of conception and ovulation
Female choice should be different when chance of conception is highest
Characteristics looked for in partners vary too

Question 25

What 2 traits does female mate choice select for in males?

Answer 25

Good genes - attractive/healthy offspring | Good parenting - valuable qualities for long terms and nurturing

Question 26

How does females' mate choice vary across the menstrual cycle?

Answer 26

Genetic quality is more important at peak fertility (more likely to have offspring who inherit this quality at this stage), especially for short term mating opportunities

Question 27

How does females' mate choice stay consistent across the menstrual cycle?

Answer 27

Good parenting qualities are desirable across the menstrual cycle and for long term mating opportunities

Question 28

Evidence for human oestrus

Answer 28

Possible to examine empirically Female preferences and behaviour can be examined across the menstrual cycle Fertility can be assess by self-report Or actual measures of different hormones e.g. progesterone

Question 29

Masculinity is a signal of genetic quality in terms of...

Answer 29

physical attractiveness, health, immunocompetence

Question 30

How do females' preference for masculine features change during the menstrual cycle?

Answer 30

Prefer males with masculinised FACES, BODIES and VOICES at high fertility, and feminised faces at other times

Question 31

How do females' preferences for masculine features change depending on type of mating opportunities?

Answer 31

Preferences are more pronounced for SHORT TERM mating opportunities

Question 32

How do females' preferences for symmetrical features change during the menstrual cycle?

Answer 32

Females prefer more symmetrical male faces, bodies and scents at high fertility

Question 33

How do females' preferences for creativity and wealth change over the menstrual cycle?

Answer 33

High fertile females preferred creative but poor males over uncreative but rich males

Question 34

What traits signal good parenting?

Answer 34

Intelligence Good father Faithful 'Warm' personality

Question 35

How does creativity signal good genes?

Answer 35

A good brain, high quality and well developed

Question 36

Does cooperation signal good parenting or good genes?

Answer 36

No effect of fertility levels across menstrual cycle on preference for cooperation --> suggests cooperation signals phenotypic benefits (e.g. kind, good provider, nurturing)

Question 37

TRUE OR FALSE: Females have greater attraction to males other than their partners during high fertility.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

TRUE OR FALSE: Females are more committed to their partners during fertile stage.

Answer 38

False: Females are LESS committed to their partners during fertile stage

Question 39

Commitment to partners is moderated by FA of partner. What does FA stand for? And why is this?

Answer 39

FA = Fluctuating asymmetry Because of evolved motivation to gain good genes for offspring

Question 40

Do males pick up on cues of oestrus? Research involving lap dancers

Answer 40

Measured tips earned by lap dancers across their menstrual cycle Earned nearly $100 more per shift during high fertility

Question 41

Evidence against preference for masculinity at high fertility

Answer 41

No difference in preference for men with beards (signals masculinity) or facial masculinity across the cycle Neither masculine bodies or voices vary in attractiveness across menstrual cycle

Question 42

Evidence against desire for uncommitted relationships at high fertility

Answer 42

No change in desire for uncommitted (i.e. ST) sexual relationships across the menstrual cycle

Question 43

Example of a cycle effect that still remains, and what does it suggest?

Answer 43

Increased sexual desire at peak fertility | Suggests might be adaptive