Gender - evolution

Question 1

who was the key scientist associated with evolution

Answer 1

Darwin

Question 2

evolution

Answer 2

change in genotype over generations, due to the process of natural selection

Question 3

runaway selection hypothesis (Fisher 1930)

Answer 3

peacocks have evolved to have more elaborate tail that attracts mates, Fisher proposed hypothesis that features can then become exaggerated and then the peacock can no longer outrun its predators.

Question 4

what did Morris say about males in the hunting hypothesis

Answer 4

they are hunters, so they require strength, visuo-spatial skills and hand-eye coordination

Question 5

what did Morris say about females in the hunting hypothesis

Answer 5

females gave birth to immature babies, compared to other animals, so needed to look after babies better and attach to them. women were as caregivers were also better communicators as they had to interpret subtle signals

Question 6

Darwin’s sexual selection

Answer 6

males compete for females and females select preferred male characteristics

Question 7

sexual dimorphism

Answer 7

differences between sexes

Question 8

how do/did women determine men’s traits

Answer 8

men have to show they are strongest, biggest, most aggressive to show woman that he could provide for them and protect them. man is succumbing to female choice

Question 9

Daly and Wilson (1994) male competition study

Answer 9

found most combat is same-sex rivals as they are fighting for resources. 97% of same-sex homicides involving unrelated individuals include men.

Question 10

why do men assault wives

Answer 10

to stop them pursuing other interests, such as other men

Question 11

Trivers (1973)

Answer 11

women carefully select mate as they have more to lose when reproducing. men have less to lose so take more risks in sexual involvement

Question 12

strengths of the evolutionary explanation of gender

Answer 12

+ many sources of evidence, e.g. palaeontology, anthropology, etc.
+ sexual selection provides explanation of mate choice
+ evolutionary continuity between species so suggests there are universal principles that apply to every living thing

Question 13

limitations of the evolutionary explanation of gender

Answer 13

• humans and animas are different, so can not be compared (runaway selection hypothesis)
• can’t directly research evolution
• unclear cause and effect. does biology cause behaviour or other way round?
• difficult to disentangle nature and nurture
• deterministic