8. conflict between the sexes Flashcards
sexual conflict
between evolutionary interests
evolutionary interests = genetic interests
- when they diverge -> sexual conflict can ensue
strategic interference theory
-> 1st postulate - violation
predicted to occur whenever members of one sex violate the desires of the opposite sex
- prevented our ancestors from successfully carrying out a
preferred sexual strategy and hence would have
reduced their reproductive success
strategic interference theory
-> 2nd postulate - negative emotions
negative emotions represent evolved solutions to the problems of strategic interference
- alert people to the sources of interference and prompt
action designed to counteract it
conflict about the occurrence and timing of sex
time elapsed before seeking intercourse
- male optimum = earlier
- female optimum = later
conflict over sexual access
-> inferences about sexual intent
men sometimes infer sexual interest on the part of a woman when it does not exist
conflict over sexual access
-> deception about commitment
men report intentionally deceiving women about emotional commitment
conflict over sexual access
-> cognitive biases in sexual mind reading
sexual over-perception bias minimizes the costs of missed sexual opportunities
- men > women
commitment scepticism bias
- women evolved inferential bias designed to
underestimate men’s actual level of romantic
commitment to her early in courtship
- women > men
conflict over sexual access
-> sexual withholding
both are bothered
- men still more
- men consistently complain
sexual aggression and evolved defence against sexual aggression
- sexual harassment
- victims of sexual harassment -> typically women
- women rate it as extremely upsetting
- strategy to minimize costs they incur for sexual access
- exemplified by the man’s demanding sexual intimacy,
failing to get mutual agreement for sex, and touching a
woman’s body without her permission - costs in the form of retaliation and damage to
reputation
- exemplified by the man’s demanding sexual intimacy,
men psychological adaptions for sexual aggression
-> rape as adaption theory
- Assessment of the vulnerability of potential rape victims
- Context-sensitive switch that motivates rape in men who
lack of sexual access to consenting partners preference
for fertile rape victims - An increase in sperm counts of raped ejaculates
compared with those occurring in consensual sex - Sexual arousal to the use of force or to female
resistance to consensual sex - Marital rape in circumstances in which sperm
competition might exist
men psychological adaptions for sexual aggression
-> by-product theory of rape
A non-designed and a non-selected by-product of other evolved mechanisms
- The male desire for sexual variety / Desire for sex
without investment
- Psychological sensitivity to sexual opportunities
- The general capacity to use physical aggression to
achieve a variety of goals
- Sex-based power difference in society - patriarchy
women’s psychological adaptions to prevent sexual harassment
-> hypothesized anti-rape adaptions in women
- alliances with men ‘SPECIAL FRIENDS’ for protection
- BODYGUARD hypothesis
mate selection based on physical size / social
dominance - female COALITIONS for protection
- SPECIALIZED FEARS
motivate women to avoid situations in which they might
be in danger of rape
mate retention: from vigilance to violence
-> male use of mate-retention tactics
- concealing partners
- insisting she spend her free time with him
- resort to threats and violence
- use resource display
mate retention: from vigilance to violence
-> female use
- enhance appearance
- induce jealousy in partner
mate retention: from vigilance to violence
-> influential contexts
- youthfulness + physical attractiveness of wife (+) linked with men’s mate-guarding tactics
- men low on good genes indicators of mate value
increase their mate-retention efforts when their partners
are ovulating - high income + status striving of husband
linked with higher levels of mate-retention tactics
performed by women
