Evolutionary psychology & Individual differences

Question 1

What is Darwin’s Natural selection?

Answer 1

Traits are selected for over evolutionary time bc they helped organisms survive (have some survival advantage)
Evolution isn’t intentional. Variants come first and either help something survive or don’t.

Question 2

What is Darwin’s theory of sexual selection?

Answer 2

some traits are selected for over evolutionary time bc they have reproductive benefits opposed to survival benefits. (ex. peacock)

Question 3

What is intrasexual competition?

Answer 3

Same sex competition, usually 2 males fighting for a chance to breed with females. Females may want to mate w victor after witnessing (direct) or male comes to control an area that female wants to go to (indirect).

Question 4

What is intersexual selection?

Answer 4

mate preferences. Certain traits are seen as more attractive than others and therefore those with certain traits are selected to mate with.
(Ex. peacock’s feathers)

Question 5

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 5

Average discrepancy between height and weight of females. Same for many mammalian species. (male larger than female) Intrasexual competition may offer an explanation for this phenomenon.

Question 6

What are the 2 main predictions made my parental investment theory?

Answer 6

1. The Sex that invests more (time, energy, effort) in their offspring should be choosier and more discriminating about partners. Less open to short term dating/mating. (mammalian species = females mating has higher consequences) propagate wisely
2. The Sex that invests less should compete more vigorously for access to the valuable mating partners of the opposite sex. Make as much offspring as possible. (mammalian species = males mating has fewer consequences) propagate widely
   Parent investment drives sexual selection, not biological sex.

Question 7

What were some of women’s preferences in David Buss’s Cross Cultural Study?

Answer 7

higher social status, wealth, slightly older men, height and athletic prowess, hard working

Question 8

What were some of men’s preferences in David Buss’s Cross cultural study?

Answer 8

youth (mean of 2.5 years younger), beauty, 0.7 waist to hip ratio