Evolutionary Explanations

Question 1

intrasexual selection

Answer 1

where members of one sex have to compete with other members of their sex in order to gain mates and reproduce

Question 2

intersexual selection

Answer 2

where members of one sex evolve with preferences for particular characteristics in the opposite sex, because these characteristics will increase the chance of passing on genes. For example, males will be attracted to females who display signs of fertility and females will be attracted to males who can provide resources and protection.

Question 3

Eval for preferences

Answer 3

Buss (1989) questioned 10,000 adults in 33 countries about mate choice preference- what they would look for in an ‘ideal’ partner. He found that females preferred resource-based characteristics (such as a good career), whereas males preferred physical attractiveness and youth. This was true across all the countries surveyed. This supports the difference in mate choice preferences related to anisogamy.

Question 4

Eval for preferences

Answer 4

Clark and Hatfield (1989) found that when male and female university students were propositioned by an opposite-sex stranger on campus, 75% of males agreed to the request to spend the night together, whereas no females did. This supports the evolutionary theory that females are much choosier than males when it comes to selecting a mate.

Question 5

Eval for preferences

Answer 5

The theory does not account for major social and cultural changes which may affect reproductive behaviour. There is some evidence of changes to mate choice preference following changes such as the lack of female dependency on a partner. Therefore, mate choice is likely to be influenced by more factors than just evolutionary preferences.

Question 6

Self-disclosure

Answer 6

This refers to the revealing of personal information to a partner, for instance likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, deepest thoughts and feelings. This can strengthen the romantic ‘bond’ between partners.