Evolutionary psychology week 2

Question 1

parental investment theory

Answer 1

the sex that invests more in offspring (mostly female) will be more discriminating and selective about mates

Question 2

5 adaptive problems in ltm for woman

Answer 2

1. selecting a mate who is able to invest
2. selecting a mate who is willing to invest
3. selecting a mate who is able to physically protect the children
4. selecting a healthy mate who therefore remains alive long enough to invest
5. selecting a mate who is compatible

Question 3

problems in LTM for men

Answer 3

1. Selecting a mate with the capacity to bear children: Youth and Health, Standards of beauty are universal and emerged early in life. consistent across cultures.
2. Selecting who is faithful: Personality, youth and reputation

Question 4

paternity uncertainty

Answer 4

men are never 100% sure if the children their women bears is theirs

Question 5

The Kin-altruism theory (adaptation)

Answer 5

states that gay men have more time to invest in their Kin because they don’t have children, which is how they compensate. (no evidence)

Question 6

The alliance formation theory (adaptation)

Answer 6

states that the homo behavior provides a strategy for gaining allies (little empirical evidence)

Question 7

The female fertile hypothesis (by-product)

Answer 7

states that genes for being gay can evolve if they produce an increased reproductive rate in the female relatives of male homo (strongest support)

Question 8

costs of short-term mating for men

Answer 8

STD
Social reputation and therefore less chance LTM
Lowered chance of survival of children (less investment)
Violence
Affairs by wives/mates (guarding)

Question 9

sex differences in costs and benefits of casual sex

Answer 9

Women have the chance of being impregnated
Women also could get a reputation which makes them less likely to LTM
women have more risk of abuse