Evolutionary expl for partner prefs Flashcards
What is sexual selection
1871 theory by Charlers Darwin
= Theory explains evolution of characteristics that confer a reproductive advantage as opposed to a survival advantage.
What is INTRAsexual selection
= Individuals must OUTCOMPETE other members of the same sex to gain access to the other sex.
Successful members mate, pass on their genes → whatever characteristic that led to success (e.g., height, cunning, strength) becomes more widespread in gene pool.
Male method: value of quantity over quality bc of anisogamy
What is INTERsexual selection
= Members of one sex evolve preferences for desirable qualities in potential mates.
Members of opposite sex who possess these characteristics (e.g., attractiveness, status) gain a mating advantage over those who don’t. Therefore, determining areas in which other sex must compete.
Female methods: value on quality over quantity bc of anisogamy
What is anisogamy
= two different gametes come together to reproduce (sperm = male, eggs = female).
Sperm: reproduce quickly with little energy expenditure, produce until man dies.
= males prioritise quantity over quality
Eggs: less plentiful, limited time frame (between puberty & menopause), require more energy.
= females prioritise quality over quantity
How does Intrasexual selection relate to partner preferences
- males compete for suitable females to reproduce as much as possible
- behaviour consequence: preference for youth by indicators such as neotenic feautures and fertility eg 0.7 hip ratio
How does intersexual selection relate to partner preferences
-females lose more resources if they choose a sub-standard partner which results in them becoming pickier
- they seek a partner who is physically healthy, of high status, who controls resources in a social group
- if they make a good choice, offspring inherits good features
Is intrasexual selection male or female
male
Is intersexual selection male or female
female
what is the evolutionary expl for partner prefs key study
Buss (1989)
What was Buss’ aims?
investigate what males and females looked for in long term partners
what was Buss’ procedure?
10k people from 37 cultures
Asked to rate 18 characteristics on importance when choosing a mate by using a 4 point scale
(3=indispensable, 0=irrelevant)
What were Buss’ findings?
Youth= Men wanted female mates younger than them
Resources= women desired good financial prospects= translated into desire for men w resources or qualities such as ambition
Physical attractiveness= more important to men (cues to female health and fertility)
Other= both males and females wanted intelligence (links to parenting skills) and kindness (linked to interest in long term relationships)
Eval expl for partner prefs BUSS: Supports evo expl
+ supprots intra/intersexual selection
found females valued resource based characteristics= intersexual selection
found males valued good looks and youth= intrasexual
= supports Darwins theory
Eval expl for partner prefs BUSS: validity
- Validity issues within the study
Used questionaires= social desirability issues
= indicate expressed preferences rather than in real life reflection
77% of participants from Western industrialised nations
= Buss may have been measuring cultural effects rather than evolutionary determined behaviour
Eval expl for partner prefs BUSS: Representation
37 cultures and 10k participants
= large sample size
= representative
Eval expl for partner prefs: research support
+ Research support
Cunningham: Male preference for neotenic features
Investigated what males found attractive in females faces inc mouth, eyes, nose
Findings: Males most attracted to females w childlike features eg large eyes, small noses and chins
Elicits a caregiving response and is an indiactor of youth=fertility
= males value youth/fertility =intrasexual selection
Eval expl for partner prefs: influence of other factors
x Influence of other factors
Cultural traditions: gender diffrences in male prefence pattern may stem from cultural traditions
Kasser & Sharma: an analysis of 37 cultures showed women valued potential mates access to resources far more in cultures where women’s status and educational opportunities were limited
= Darwin’s theory underestimates socioeconomic factors
Eval expl for partner prefs: not universal
x research bias
Buller: argues the majority of studies to determine female partner pref are carried out on undergraduate students: they expect to achieve high education and income= prefer high status men
May be explained by a prefence for similar prospects
= cannot generalise
Eval expl for partner prefs: limited theory
x limited
little attempt to explain homosexual relationships and cultural traditions such as arranged marriages
= lack of research
