Evolutionary Explanations For Partner Preferences Flashcards
Define Sexual Selection.
A key part of Darwin’s evolutionary theory explaining the evolution of characteristics that provide a reproductive advantage.
Define Anisogamy.
The differences between male and female gametes.
List differences between male and female gametes.
- no limit to the amount of sperm a male can produce.
- not constrained by a reproductive term as women are.
- no shortage of fertile males but fertile females are of rare “resource.”
Define Inter-sexual Selection.
Between the sexes: strategies that one sex use to select the other.
What did Trivers (1972) suggest in relation to Intersexual Selection?
Woman prefer it as they have a greater investment in their offspring before and after birth, which could have bad consequences if she invests in a poor quality mate.
Define Intra-sexual Selection.
Strategies within the sex to promote selection over competition.
Explain Intra-sexual Selection.
- anisogamy dictates a males main goal is to mate with as many fertile women as a possible.
- causes a behavioural consequence which means they prefer and seek youth in women.
Evaluating: What Did Buss (1989) Conclude?
- studied 10000people from 37 cultures.
- found women desired good financial prospects in a mate
- men preferred physically attractive mates
- both sexes wanted kindness and intelligence
Evaluating: What were Waynforth and Dunbar’s (1995) findings?
- women listed physical features of themselves
- men boasted their resources
Evaluating: Why did Buller criticise the evolutionary theory?
- female preference for high status males is weak or non-existent due to all studies conducted on partner preferences having used undergraduate females who clearly are already high status.
Evaluating: What did Bernstein (2015) suggest about gender differences in presences?
They may be dude to cultural traditions imposed on them .
