Evolutionary Perspectives

Question 1

3 Principles of Darwin’s Evolution by Natural Selection

Answer 1

Variation - Among individuals within a population, there is variation in morphology, physiology, and behaviour.

Heredity - Offspring resemble their parents more than they resemble unrelated individuals.

Selection - Some forms are more successful at surviving and reproducing than other forms (in a given environment).

Question 2

Sexual selection

Answer 2

Characteristics that evolve because of mating benefits instead of survival

Question 3

intrasexual competition

Answer 3

Deterring or defeating same-sex rivals for access to mates

Question 4

intersexual selection

Answer 4

Making themselves more attractive to the opposite sex

Question 5

Study on jealousy
Buss, Larsen, Westen & Semmelroth (1992)
Key points…

Answer 5

Females have higher level of parental investment

Males face ”uncertain paternity” problem

Question 6

Decision to help relatives to survive/reproduce is dependent on…

Answer 6

how much benefit there is in the survival of your genes in them

how much cost there is in your own survival (and thus your own reproduction).

Benefit must outweigh cost