Evolutionary explanations for partner preference

Question 1

what is sexual selection?

Answer 1

an evolutionary explanation of partner preference. attributes/ behaviours which increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring.

Question 2

what is human reproductive behaviour?

Answer 2

refers to any behaviours which relate to opportunities to reproduce–> increases the survival chance of our genes. includes the evolutionary mechanisms underlying our partner preferences, such as mate choice and male competition.

Question 3

study for sexual selection

Answer 3

darwin 1871

Question 4

what are physical characteristics a sign of + example

Answer 4

genetic fitness eg. male peacock’s tail

Question 5

why would a f peacock prefer a male with colourful tail

Answer 5

more likely to produce robust offspring

Question 6

another favoured characteristic

Answer 6

agressiveness = provide advantage for a male over competitors for reproductive rights –> its ADAPTIVE

Question 7

what is the basis of human reproductive behaviour

Answer 7

anisogamy

Question 8

what is anisogamy

Answer 8

differences between male and female sex cells - gametes

Question 9

explain anisogamy in males

Answer 9

Males gametes are small, highly mobile and can be created continuously in high numbers from puberty to old age + dont need energy to be produced = means makes are less choosy with their partners because they dont have a limit to their gametes

Question 10

explain anisogamy in females

Answer 10

female gametes (eggs) are large static and produced at intervals for a limited no of fertile yrs + require a significant amount of energy = females are much more likely to be choosy with their partners as they know their time is limited so they
have to find a good partner before menopause hits.

Question 11

one consequence of anisogamy

Answer 11

there is no shortage of fertile males but a fertile female is a much rarer resource = more choosy

Question 12

why is anisogamy important

Answer 12

it gives rise to 2 diff types of sexual selection

Question 13

what are the 2 types of sexual selection

Answer 13

inter and intra

Question 14

what is inter-sexual selection

Answer 14

between the sexes - the strategies that males use to select females and the strategies that females use to select males.

Question 15

which sex prefers inter-sexual selection

Answer 15

females - quality over quantity as ova are rarer than sperm.

Question 16

what did Robert Trivers 1972 point out

Answer 16

females make a greater investment of time, commitment and other resources, before, during and after the birth of her offspring
both sexes vcan be choosy - lose resources in a substandard parnter
however the consequences of making a wrong partner choice is more serious for a female, so it pays for her to be especially selective
so the females’s optimum mating choice is to select a genetically fit mating partner who is able to provide resources.