Evolutionary Explanations For Partner Preferences: Evaluate

Question 1

Female preferences do high-status men may by be universal -

Buller (2005)

Answer 1

argues that the majority of studies attempting to determine female mate preferences have been done on female undergraduates

these women expect to achieve high educational status and so prefer men with similar education and prospects of their own

conclusion: evidence for universal female mating preference for high status men is Weak or Non-Existent

Question 2

Cultural traditions may be just as important as evolutionary forces -
Bernstein (2015)
Kasser and Sharma (1999)

Answer 2

gender differences in mate preferences at stem from cultural traditions

women who are denied economic and political power may rely more heavily on economic resources provided by men

K&S: studied 37 cultures and found that women valued men with resources in cultures where their educational and status opportunities were sharply limited

conclusion: we shouldn’t underestimate the role of social and economic factors in establishing mate preferences

Question 3

Mate choice in real life -

Validity

Answer 3

studies such as Buss’ may lack validity:

they give us an indication of expressed preferences rather than being a reflection of what actually happens

questionnaires used in Buss’ study are more valid measures of partner preference than real life marriage statistics particularly where arranged marriages are the norm

Question 4

Mate choice and the menstrual cycle -

Penton-Voak et al (1999)

Answer 4

suggests that female mate choice varies actions the menstrual cycle

women prefer feminised faces for long term relationships and prefer masculine faces for short term relationships during the conception risk phase

the feminine face suggests kindness and cooperation in parental care

the masculine face suggests higher levels of testosterone which suppresses the immune system and an efficient immune system is a valuable characteristic