evolutionary explanations AO1

Question 1

how do evolutionary approaches explain human behaviour

Answer 1

in terms of adaptiveness and reproductive success

Question 2

what would the evolutionary explanation say behaviours are for

Answer 2

genetically inherited for survival or reproduction

Question 3

what is natural selection

Answer 3

behaviors that help humans adapt to and survive in the environment

Question 4

what is sexual selection

Answer 4

behaviors that help attract a mate and produce healthy offspring

Question 5

what is anisogamy

Answer 5

explains differences in male and female sex cells

Question 6

what does anisogamy lead to

Answer 6

different reproductive strategies

Question 7

how does anisogamy describe sperm cells

Answer 7

produced in large quantities, replenished quickly, and available throughout life, allowing males to mate with many females

Question 8

how does anisogamy describe egg cells

Answer 8

produced in limited numbers, requiring significant energy, and only during certain fertile years, making reproduction more costly

Question 9

as a result of anisogamy, what mating strategy do males adapt

Answer 9

seek to increase reproductive success by mating with multiple females (uncertainty of paternity)

Question 10

as a result of anisogamy, what mating strategy do females adapt

Answer 10

seek committed partners who will provide resources and support, ensuring the survival of their offspring

Question 11

what was the sample in Buss’s study

Answer 11

10,000 adults in 33 countries

Question 12

what was the aim of buss research

Answer 12

find differences between male and female mating strategies

Question 13

what did buss find

Answer 13

Males: preferred younger mates and focused on signs of a female’s reproductive ability, such as: modesty, attractiveness

Females: universally valued resource-related traits in a partner, such as: ambition, intelligence and good financial prospects

Question 14

what do buss’s findings show about evolution theory

Answer 14

align with the evolutionary theories, showing that females prioritize long-term support, while males prioritize physical traits linked to fertility

Question 15

what is inter sexual selection

Answer 15

females, due to their higher investment in reproduction (time, energy, and resources), need to be more selective when choosing a mate (female choosiness)

Question 16

according to intersexual selection, what partners do females seek

Answer 16

right genetic fit and one who will provide resources to support both her and the child.

Question 17

which researchers support intersexual selection

Answer 17

clark and hatfield

Question 18

what was the procedure of clark and hatfield

Answer 18

male and female student volunteers approached opposite-sex students on a university campus, asking: “I’ve noticed you around the campus. I find you very attractive. Will you go to bed with me tonight?”

Question 19

what were the findings of clark and hatfield

Answer 19

75% of male students agreed to the proposition.

Not a single female agreed to the proposition.

Question 20

what does clark and hatfields research suggest about evolution theory

Answer 20

shows female choosiness in mate selection, showing a significant gender difference in sexual behavior, which aligns with evolutionary theories of selectivity

Question 21

what is intrasexual selection

Answer 21

features that allow males to compete with other males for access to females

Question 22

what is the point of intra sexual selection

Answer 22

the male who wins the competition can reproduce and pass on genes that contributed to his success

Question 23

what is an example of intrasexual selection

Answer 23

a physically stronger and larger male can fight off competitors for a female, resulting in stronger sons who inherit his physical traits

Question 24

what did waynforth and dunbar find in relation to sexual selection

Answer 24

Women: Described themselves in terms of physical attractiveness and youth (e.g., “exciting, flirty, curvy”)

Men: Emphasized their resources and intelligence more than women did.

Question 25

what do waynforth and dunbars findings suggest about sexual selection

Answer 25

supports the idea that women prioritize physical traits and youth (linked to fertility), while men focus on resources and intelligence (linked to providing for offspring)