Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences Flashcards
What is natural selection
human behaviour is driven by the need to survive and reproduce.
both males and females need to make sure that they have children, and those children survive to adulthood.
genes that give a reproductive advantage will increase in the gene pool.
What is sexual selection
the process by which characteristics that lead to reproductive success are passed on to offspring through genes
What is inter-sexual selection
strategy of one sex, often females due to high investment cost and parental certainty of children, pick the highest quality mate from a wide selection of available mates according to attractive features indicating good genes.
What is intra-sexual selection
strategy of one sex, often males due to low investment costs and lack of parental certainty, competing between each other (intra) for access to a large quantity of members of the other sex.
Favours dominant large males.
What is male-female dimorphism
enhanced secondary sexual characteristics are selected for by both genders, leading to these becoming more common in the population
What do females look for in a partner
qualities that will help raise a child to adulthood:
resources/money, physical characteristics links to dominance (tall/ healthy), V shaped chest
What do males look for in a partner
qualities of fertility that indicate production of healthy offspring:
large breasts, young (facial features), body shape of 0.7 waist-to-hip ratio, indicates sexual maturity but not pregnant
Buss research on the selection of potential partners
Across 33 countries, Buss surveyed 10,000 adults on partner preferences when selecting a mate.
Found males prioritised factors that indicated reproductive capacity such as younger age, chastity and good looks,
while females prioritised factors that indicated resources such as money, ambition and industriousness
What does Buss, research into selection of potential partners suggest
that actual preferences of men and women match with those predicted by the evolutionary approach
What is a evaluation of Buss research into selection of potential partners
As Buss conducted his research across multiple countries it can be argued that this research lacks culture bias and the findings on evolutionary selection reflect a true emic construct, behaviour that is universal across cultures
Dunbar and Waynforth, Lonley Hearts research on the selection of potential partners
Used content analysis method if 900 personal dating ads across 4 USA newspapers. Found 42% of males looking for ‘youthful’ mates compared to 25% of females. Men were more likely to emphasise their economic status in their own adverts, women were more likely to emphasise their looks
Why does Dunbar and Waynforth, Lonley Hearts research supports the selection of potential partners
Evolutionary theories explanation of females being more attracted to status and resources, with men advertising these, and males looking for females capable of reproduction
Clarke and Heartfield research on male and female mating strategies
Males and female student researchers asked other students on campus one of three questions
‘Will you go out with me tonight?”
“Will you go back to my house” or
“Will you have sex with me”
Found that while 50% of both genders agreed to a date that night, 0% of females agreed to sex, compared to 75% of males.
Why does Clarke and Heartfield research support male and female mating strategies
Both the concepts of intra and inter-sexual selection favoured by males than females will attempt to sleep with as many women as possible, while women will be more selective
Limitation between natural selection and sexual selection
There is a conflict between the two, some adaptations that are sexually selected for, such as peacock feathers may be selected for due to sexual selection. But this can be a disadvantage in survival such as escaping from predators
