Exam 3

Question 1

Costs and benefits of cheating/short term mating for women

Answer 1

• benefits: increase resources, mate switching, revenge, genetic benefits (diversity, good genes, compatible genes)
• costs: loss of mate, reduced investment by partner, STDs, pregnancy w/out an invested partner, decrease future mate prospects bc “reputation”

Question 2

WHy would women cheat when fertile?

Answer 2

• reduces costs
• increase benefits (good genes)
• inpair partner and extra-pair partner may have diff qualities

Question 3

What is developmental instability?

Answer 3

• imprecise expression of development of an organism due to mutations, pathogens, toxins, nutritional stress, etc

Question 4

What is fluctuating asymmetry? What are characteristics of symmetrical males?

Answer 4

• def: absolute symmetry in bilateral traits (“mirrored”)
• indirectly measures good genes
• characteristics: healthier, live longer, more offspring, more attractive, stronger, higher social status, more dominant, less investing, more likely to cheat

Question 5

What characteristics do women prefer in short term mate? Long term mate?

Answer 5

• short-term: arrogant, physically attractive, socially influential, confrontative w/ other men
• long-term: able to invest, high social status, good financial prospects, older age, dependable, committed, parenting skills