A2 - Relationships

Question 1

What is Sexual Selection?

Answer 1

An evolutionary explanation of partner preference. Attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over generations.

Question 2

What is Anisogamy?

Answer 2

the differences between male and female sex cells, it plays a role in partner preference and mating strategies

Question 3

What are the two type of sexual selection?

Answer 3

Inter-sexual selection

Intra-sexual selection

Question 4

What is inter-sexual selection?

Answer 4

The strategies used to select the other sex, such as strategies chosen by females to select a male

Question 5

What is intrasexual selection?

Answer 5

The strategies used to ensure you are chosen asa mate against others from your sex

Question 6

Which sexual selection strategy is the preferred option for females?

Answer 6

Inter-sexual selection

Question 7

What is the female’s optimum mating strategy?

Answer 7

To select a genetically fit partner who is able and willing to provide resources

Question 8

What is the runaway process? (Ronald Fisher, 1930)

Answer 8

The idea that traits in males are passed on, because the female finds them attractive in a mate, as they suggest a level of genetic fitness, so chooses that mate. Then the son’s are likely to have this trait, so are more likely to survive and pass their genes on, and daughters are likely to have a preference for that trait, so are more likely to choose a genetically fit partner, genes are passed on effectively.

Question 9

What does the Runaway process lead to?

Answer 9

An exaggeration of certain traits in males, eg height.

Question 10

Which hypothesis is the runaway process part of?

Answer 10

The “Sexy Sons Hypothesis” by Ronald Fisher (1930)

Question 11

Which sex is Intra-sexual selection preferred by?

Answer 11

The males

Question 12

What does intra-sexual selection refer to?

Answer 12

The competition between males to be able to mate with females

Question 13

What does the strategy of intra-sexual selection lead to?

Answer 13

Dimorphism, the physiological (and psychological) differences seen between men and women

Question 14

Why does intra-sexual selection lead to dimorphism?

Answer 14

As males are competing against males, certain traits, such as size, lead to an advantage, so these traits will be passed on. Females are not competing against each other in the same way, so these traits do not prove to be advantageous, therefore different traits will be passed on, so the two sexes have different traits

Question 15

What are the behavioural and psychological consequences of intra-sexual selection?

Answer 15

Males may benefit from thinking and acing aggressively, as it leads to higher likelihood of wining against competition.
The male’s optimum mating strategy is to fertilise as many women as possible,but the mother must be able to carry the baby, a consequence is a male preference for youth and fertility, seen though body characteristics

Question 16

Which cross cultural study showed that evolutionary theory correctly predicts the importance of certain partner preferences?

Answer 16

Buss (1989)

Question 17

What did Buss (1989) find out in his study about female and male partner preferences?

Answer 17

Females valued resource-related characteristics, eg good financial prospects
Males valued reproductive capacity related characteristics, eg good looks and youth.

Question 18

What did Clark and Hatfield (1989) research?

Answer 18

Female Choosiness, and reproductive strategies

Question 19

What was the Method of Clark and Hatfield’s 1989 study?

Answer 19

Two attractive college students walked around a campus, and asked people whether they would like to sleep with them. The female asked males and the male asked females.

Question 20

What was the quote used in Clark and Hatfield’s 1989 study?

Answer 20

“I have been noticing you around campus, i find you to be very attractive. Would you got to bed with me tonight?”

Question 21

How many females agreed to sleep with the male confederate in Clark and Hatfield (1989)?

Answer 21

None. (0)

Question 22

How many males said yes to the female confederate in Clark and Hatfield (1989)

Answer 22

75%

Question 23

Why does Clark and Hatfield’s research support the evolutionary theory of sexual selection?

Answer 23

Because it suggests that females are choosier when it comes to a mate than men are. Suggesting the two sexes have developed different reproductive strategies.

Question 24

What is a disadvantage of the theory of sexual selection?

Answer 24

It does not take into account cultural influences

Question 25

What did Chang (2011) find out about changes in female partner preferences over 25 years?

Answer 25

Some of them had changed, others had remained constant, suggesting there are both evolutionary and cultural influences on partner preference

Question 26

Who studied male preference for fertility in terms of waist-hip ratio?

Answer 26

Singh (1993, 2002)

Question 27

What did Singh find about Wast-Hip ratio?

Answer 27

Men tend to find any hip and wast size attractive, as long as they are in a ratio of about 0.7. It is suggested this is because it is an honest signal the woman is fertile and not currently pregnant.

Question 28

What is Self-Disclosure?

Answer 28

The reveal of personal information throughout a relationship, that can lead to the strengthening of romantic bonds

Question 29

Which theory about self disclosure etc was created by Altman and Taylor (1973)?

Answer 29

Social Penetration Theory

Question 30

How is self disclosure involved in social penetration theory?

Answer 30

As more is disclosed, partners ‘penetrate’ deeper into each other’s lives, and gain a greater understanding of each other.

Question 31

What are the two elements to Self-Disclosure?

Answer 31

Breadth and Depth

Question 32

At the beginning of a relationship, how is our self disclosure characterised?

Answer 32

We disclose a very shallow amount, with a narrow range of topics. Low breadth and depth

Question 33

As a relationship develops, what will happen to the level of self-disclosure?

Answer 33

The breadth and depth of it will increase

Question 34

What did Reis and Shaver (1988) point out about self disclosure?

Answer 34

In order for it to strengthen a relationship, self disclosure must be reciprocal. Once you have self-disclosed, you hope you partner will respond in a sensitive and empathetic way, also increasing their self disclosure

Question 35

What did Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) find about self-disclosure and levels of satisfaction in heterosexual dating couples?

Answer 35

There were strong correlations between several measures of self-disclosure and measures of satisfaction in the relationship. Suggesting men and women who used self-disclosure, and felt their partner did too, were more satisfied with the relationship.

Question 36

What did Hass and Stafford (1998) find about applications of self disclosure?

Answer 36

That 57% of gay men and women said that open and honest self disclosure was the main way they maintained and strengthen their relationships. This suggests that greater skill at self-disclosure would lead to improvement in relationships, a possible skill to teach in couple therapy etc

Question 37

What did Tang et al (2013) find about cultural differences in self disclosure?

Answer 37

Men and women in the USA (individualist culture) self disclose far more than those in China (collectivist culture). But these levels of self disclosure were linked to satisfaction in both cultures.