Evolutionary Explanations To Partner Preference Flashcards
What is sexual selection
both males and females choose partners in order to maximise their chances of reproductive success. Those with traits that maximise their success (e.g. a fat cock) are more likely to survive and pass on the genes responsible for their success
What is anisogamy
Where the gametes of either sex are very dissimilar which results in different reproductive processes. Females have gametes that get produced once a month and needs a lot of energy. Their gametes also weaken with age. However make gametes are made extremely quickly in vast amounts, requiring little energy. They are not limited by age
How does anisogamy affect women
Females are choosy with selecting a partner because eggs are rare and they require lots of energy, investment and time. If they get pregnant it is 9 months or their life as well as time after and before. So they need to be careful when selecting a mate who is genetically fit and healthy and able to care. For example they may need to be rich and have good resources to look after child if reproduction does occur. Females also look for good traits to be passed down to children
What is the sexy sons hypothesis
Females may select males who posses attractive traits like height, as this will be passed onto successive generations e and will appear more dominantly in the male population. Essentially females select mates cos they want their sons to have these features
How does anisogamy affect male reproduction
Males compete with each other to mate with females and the most successful will pass on his genes. Males will sexually select many females to reproduce with. This means that males get the chance to have a lot of sexual selection and they also have a higher chance to produce more offspring. Males can do this as they produce hella sperm in a short space of time. Males tend to select females who are young, healthy and attractive who have small waist and curves.
What is mate guarding
Males may guard their female partner to prevent them mating with anyone else. Males are very fearful of their female getting pregnant by another male and having to raise another man’s child. This is cuckoldry. Man will also make sure they have financial security so that female will select them
Strengths of the evolutionary approach
Bush did a survey of over 10 000 adults in 33 countries and found that females reported valuing recourse based characteristics like occupation whilst men valued good looks and younger partners
Clark and Hatfield conducted a now infamous study where male and female psychology students were asked to approach fellow students of Florida state university (of the opposite sex) and ask them for one of three things: go on a date, go back to their apartment , or to go bed with them. 50% of both men and women agreed to date, 69% of men agreed to go back to apartment and 75% agreed to go bed with them but only 6% of women agreed to go to the apartment and 0% to bed, supporting male anisogamy
What are weaknesses of the everolutionsry exijsinwinwosn
Deterministic - suggests we have little free will in our partner choices. However everyday experience tells us we do have some control over partner preference
Evolutionary approaches to sexual preferences are socially sensitive. They promote a traditional sexist views stating what are ‘natural’ male and female behaviours, which however do not apply to todays modern society. Women are now more Career oriented and independent and will look for wealth less. Contraception also means that evolutionary pressures are less relevant
Evolutionary theory makes little attempt to explain other types of relationships like gay or arranged marriage
What was the procedure of buss
He investigated what males and females looked for in a long term partner and did this, examining 10 000 participants across 37 cultures. They had to rate 18 characteristics using a 4 point rating scale where 0=undesirable and 4 being extremely necessary.
What were the findings of buss ☺️
Females desired males with good financial prospects, resources and ambition.
Males desired females who were young and had reproductive value. And all males universally wanted females who were younger than them.
Both wanted an intelligent and kind partner.
Seems to support Cuzza
What are the two ways in which sexual selection works
Intrasexual selection: members of one sex have to compete with members of the same sex in order to gain mates and reproduce (mainly men)
Intersexual selection: Where members of one sex evolve with preferences for particular characteristics in the opposite sex (female)
