evolutionary explantions for partner prefernces

Question 1

sexual selection overview

Answer 1

selection of characteristics that aid successful reproduction

Question 2

anisogamy

Answer 2

basis of human reproductive behaviour

refers to the differences between male and female sex cells

male gametes (sperm) - small highly mobile and created continuously in vast numbers
from puberty to old age
do not need much energy to be produced

female gametes (eggs or ova) - relatively large , static , produced at intervals for a limited number of fertile years and require a significant investment of energy

consequence of anisogamny is that there is no shortage of fertile males but a fertile female us much rarer resource

important in partner preferences because it gives rise to two types of sexual selction

Question 3

inter-sexual selection

Answer 3

between the sexes

strategies that males use to select the female or females use to select males

consequences of making a wrong partner choice are more detrimental for women so they are especially selective
mating strategy is to select a genetically fit partner who is able to provide resources

female preference which determines which feature is passed on to the offspring - if height s considered attractive then it would increase in the male population over generations

Question 4

intra-sexual selction

Answer 4

within each sex

strategies between males to be the one that is selected

proffered strategy of a male is quantity over quality

competeion betwen males to be selected to mate with a female

winner reproduces his characteracteristics may be passed on to his offspring

males - size matters larger males have more success

females - do not compete for reproductive rights so there is no evolutionary drive towards favouring larger females, yet youthfulness is selected more

Question 5

strength

Answer 5

research support for inter-sexual selection

evidence supporting the specific role of female choosiness in heterosexual partner preference

Clark and Hatfield

sent male and female psychology students across a uni campus

approached other students asking indicually with this question
i have been noticing you around campus i find you very attractive would you go to bed with me tonight

not a single female student agreed to the request

75% of males did

supports the view that females are choosier than males when it comes to selecting sexual partners

males evolved a different strategy to ensure reproductive success

Question 6

strength

Answer 6

research support for intra-sexual selection

evidence to support the predictions of sexual selection theory

Buss

carried out a survey of over 10000 adults in 33 countries

asked questions relating to a variety og attributes that evolutionary theory predicts ate importnat to partner preferences

found that females placed a greater value on resource-related characteristics than males did
exmaple - good financial prospects and ambition

males valued physical attractiveness and youth

these findings reflect consistent sex differences in partner preferences and support the predictions from sexual selction theory

Question 7

limitation

Answer 7

social and cultural influences underestimated

evolutionary theories overlook the influences of social and cultural factors on partner preferences

partner preferences over the past century ave undoubtedly been influenced by rapidly changing social norms of behaviour

develop much faster than evolutionary timescales imply and instead have come about due to cultural factors such as availability of contraception

women’s greater role in the workplace means they are no longer dependent on men to provide for them

social change has consequences for women’s mate preferences which may no longer be resource-orientated

therefore partner preferences today are likely to be the outcome of a combination of evolutionary and cultural influences

theory full to account for both - limited explanation