Evolutionary Explanations of Behavior (Wedekind)

Question 1

Introduction (Darwin’s Evolutionary Theory suggests that human behavior is a product of…)

Answer 1

Darwin’s evolutionary theory posits that human behavior is a product of natural selection — only the fittest or strongest individuals survive, and therefore must find a corresponding mate that they can pass their genetics. This is separated into intersexual selection (the sex that invests more tends to be choosier with their mate) and intrasexual selection (competition within males to be the strongest)

Attraction is dependant on the necessity of survival — the ability to attract a mate and pass on genetics.

Question 2

Wedekind

Answer 2

A: Studied Major Histocompatibility Complex (genes that play a role in the immune system). MHC Genes make MOLECULES that allow the immune system to recognize pathogens (more diverse = healthier offspring) — the aim is to DIVERSIFY MHC Genes, so we gravitate to breed w those who have different ones

Wedekind explores whether our “smell” or our MHC can incite attraction between a woman and man by asking them to smell t-shirts.

P: 49 female and 44 male students from a university in Switzerland with a variety of MHC in the sample.

1. Men asked to wear a shirt for two nights - avoided any perfumes or other smells that may influence that smell
2. Woman asked to rank smell of 7 shirts in a “blind” judgement (tested during menstruation when smell was most sensitive, used a nose spray for 2 weeks to regenerate the membrane)
3. 3/7 boxes contained MHC similar to the women, the rest were dissimilar, and one unworn as control

F: Shirts with a DIFFERENT MHC were percieved as more pleasant

Question 3

Wedekind link to Evo Explanations

Answer 3

Supports the evolutionary argument for mate selection as it demonstrates that MHC might “predict” a stronger immune system, thus women look for the potential mate that can provide healthy offspring - though this argument is limited as the perception of smell varies (such small sample size) and the theory is reductionist as humans can are influenced by different factors (complexity of thinking is further than animals)