Evolutionary explanation for partner preferences Flashcards
What is sexual selection?
An evolutionary explanation of partner preference. Attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring
What is anisogamy refer to?
Anisogamy refers to the differences between mal and female sex cells
What is a consequence of anisogamy?
A consequence of anisogamy for mating selection is that there is no shortage of fertile males but a fertile woman is a rare ‘resource’
What are the two theories for sexual selection?
There is the intra sexual selection theory and the inter sexual selection theory
What is the inter sexual selection theory
What gender does it favour?
What does this theory state about females?
What does this theory state about males
The inter sexual selection theory refers to the strategies used by men/women to select.
This theory favours women
Trivers argued females were more careful when selecting their partners as they had a limited number of fertile years, therefore females tended to pick genetically fit males that provided valuable resources and healthy offspring
Psychologists stated males had the best chance of success by having multiple sexual partners to increase their chances of reproduction. Males also had tendencies to seek out females with signs of fertility to increase chances of success
What did Fisher state that explains the runaway process? Explain the runaway process as you explain what Fisher stated.
Fisher encapsulated the runaway process in his sexy sons hypothesis. He argued females selected males considered to jave sexy traits to pass onto their sons. This lead to future “successful” females mating with their sons, passing on the “sexy” traits throughout the generatiosn.
For example, if height was considered an attractive trait, females would mate tall males and over time, produces sons who were taller and produce daughters who have a greater preference for tall partners
What is a strength for the inter - sexual selection theory? (Clark + Hattfield/ Uni Students)
Clark and Hattfield found evidence that supported the theory suggested that women are more careful and choosy when selecting a sexual partner than men. A study carried out with university students asking them whether they would have sexual relations with the research found zero females opposed to 75% of the male participants. This shows females are more selective than males when choosing sexual partners due to their biological clocks, whereas males have evolved strategies to ensure their reproductive success
What is a limitation for the inter - sexual selection theory? (simplistic + similar mating strategies)
Some argue that this theory is too simplistic as both genders have similar mating strategies when looking for long term, stable relationships. Both sexes are very particular and look for partners who are loving, loyal and kind
What is the inter sexual selection theory
What gender does it favour?
What does this theory state about females?
What does this theory state about males
This theory refers to the strategies used by males/females to the chosen partner.
This theory favours the male
Males tend to compete for women because women are more selective and are seen as a limited resource. Males will be attracted to youthfulness as it is a sign of higher fertility. Females will be more attracted to males who look after them and their offspring showing stability
Males are more likely to be aggressive, intelligent and deceitful to outcompete their rivals when trying to attract a female. The more aggressive a male is, the more likely they are to reproduce and prevent other males having the opportunity of getting the female pregnant
What is a strength of the intra - sexual selection theory? (study on peoples’ preferences in a partner)
A survey carried out by Buss on over 10 000 participants in 33 countries investigating traits preferred in a partner found that females placed greater importance on values such as income. Whereas males valued physical attractiveness and youth as signs of fertility. These findings support the predictions of his theory
What a limitation of the intra - sexual selection theory? (evolutionary explanation lack application)
Critics argue that evolutionary explanations no longer apply to today’s society because cultural and social factors are equally as important today. Factors affecting partner preference have changed. There are more women that work today and therefore no longer depend on men financially and this would mean that women no longer highly value resource - related characteristics in men
What is strength of both the intra and inter - sexual selection theories? (lonely hearts advertisement)
Waymoth studied lonely hearts advertisement in American newspapers and found women tended to offer physical attractiveness and indicators of youth, whereas men offered resources. These findings support the evolutionary suggestions that women will seek resources whilst men are more focused on signs of fertility
What is a limitation of both the intra and inter - sexual selection theories? (not representative of different relationships)
The evolutionary explanation ignores relationships that are not sexual and not aimed at reproducing such as homosexual relationships. Therefore it is not inclusive.
