L2 Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences: The relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour: The Sociobiological theory by Buss:

Question 1

Define sexual selection

Answer 1

Selecting a mate because of the characteristics they possess which may be an advantage in reproduction such as IQ and physical attractiveness

Question 2

Define Anisogamy

Answer 2

Sexual reproduction in which the gametes of the two sexes have major differences

Question 3

What are the differences between male and female gametes

Answer 3

Female gametes: large, static limited by age, costly
Male gametes: small, mobile, unlimited by age

Question 4

Females and sexual selection

Answer 4

Females are choosy because eggs are rare, costly, difficult to produce (anisogamy)
Women invest 9 months of their lives being pregnant per child
women want genetically fit males, strong, healthy, handsome so these traits are passed down to offspring, as well as rich (take care)
During courtship women will test out men to see if they have resources available, or to ensure males will not leave them

Question 5

What is the sexy sons hypothesis

Answer 5

Women will look for traits such as height, that will be passed down to suture generations that their son can inherit.

Question 6

Males and sexual selection

Answer 6

Males compete amongst themselves to be sexually selected
Males can sexually select with many females to reproduce , due to producing millions of sperm in a short space of time
Males select females who are young, healthy and attractice , with a small waist and curvy and large breasts (signs of fertility) so their offspring will have these features

Question 7

Males and sexual selection continued…

Answer 7

Males will appear big and strong to give them an advantage to be sexually selected
Males may engage in ‘mate guarding’ where they guard their females to prevent them mating with another male
Males fear cuckoldry which when females get pregnant by other males and the current males raises that man’s child

Question 8

Evaluation of evolutionary explanation of sexual selection (Singh’s research)

Answer 8

Research conducted by Singh (2002) would support the evolutionary explanation of sexual selection. Singh investigated whether males preferred women’s body size or their waist to hip ratio. Singh found the waist to hip ratio was the most attractive feature that males found attractive, (ratio of 0:7) which indicated small waist and wide hips. This is a visible indicator of female fertility which males find attractive when selecting a female partner

Question 9

Evaluation of evolutionary explanation of sexual selection (evolutionary explanation can cause relationship problems)

Answer 9

Evolutionary explanations can be criticised and can cause problems in relationships. If males need to be “big” in order to acquire and protect fertile females, then this could be an excuse for males to abuse their power in a relationship and justify being possessive and aggressive towards females. This could lead to signs of domestic violence whereby males feel justified in controlling women in order to “protect” them. This could lead to problematic and destructive relationships

Question 10

Evaluation of evolutionary explanation of sexual selection (does not account for other types of relationships)

Answer 10

Evolutionary theory makes little attempt to explain other types of
relationships, e.g. non-heterosexual relationships, and cultural variations in
relationships which exist across the world, e.g. arranged marriages. As well as heterosexual relationships where the couples can not reproduced

Question 11

Evaluation of evolutionary explanation of sexual selection (Dunbar height research)

Answer 11

Dunbar (2000) conducted research that supports the evolutionary explanation of sexual selection. He found that childless males tend to be shorter than males who do have children. This suggests that females may prefer to sexually select a mate who is tall and this factor could be programmed into women’s genes. Females may wish to reproduce and have tall, healthy children in the future (survival of the fittest), and therefore they will want to choose a tall male to reproduce with in the first place which supports the sociobiological theory.

Question 12

Describe the key study on sexual selection by Buss (1989)

Answer 12

· Investigated what males and females looked for in a long term partner

· 10,000 participants used across 37 cultures

· They had to rate 18 characteristics (physical attraction, finances etc.) using a 4 point rating scale, where 0 = irrelevant, and 3 = indispensable (highly rated).

· The findings showed that females desired males with good financial prospects, resources and ambition

· Males desired females who had reproductive value and were fertile, and all males universally wanted females who were youthful and younger than them

· Both males and females wanted a partner who was intelligent (linked to being a good parent) and kind (good quality for a long term relationship).

· The research conducted by Buss seems to support evolutionary explanations for partner preferences

Question 13

Evaluation of the research by Buss (Dunbar supporting evidence age)

Answer 13

There is supporting evidence from research conducted by Dunbar (1999) about males sexually selected young fertile females. Research found that older women try to disguise their age and look younger than they really are in order to be seen as more fertile. If women are perceived as being younger than their real age, then males might sexually select them and reproduce with them. Even though females have a decline in fertility after the age of 40 years old and therefore will have more difficulty reproducing. Examples of females disguising their age in contemporary society include plastic surgery, Botox, teeth whitening etc. so that females can look younger. Males on the other hand do not really need to worry so much about aging as their sperm can be utilized until old age and men are still fertile.

Question 14

Evaluation of research by Buss (cross culturally conducted)

Answer 14

This piece of research has the advantage that is was conducted cross culturally across a range of countries. The results are conclusive and consistent when looking at sexual selection and partner preferences and the evolutionary ideas. It seems that universally males do sexually select healthy young fertile females, and females sexually select males with good financial stability who can provide for them and their offspring in the future. Therefore it seems across cultures, males and females are looking for the same types of qualities in a partner when sexually selecting them

Question 15

Evaluation of research by Buss (Buller money isn’t everything)

Answer 15

Research conducted by Buller (2005) has criticised Buss’s research findings and the evolutionary explanation of sexual selection. Buller has questioned the idea that females universally prefer high status males with resources. Many studies that have investigated sexual selection have used female undergraduate students who had high educational status and would expect to receive a high income themselves, so maybe they are seeking high earning males who would be similar to them in educational background and income potential. There is weak evidence that females select males with resources and high income to support them, as many females have vast educational opportunities and a good income to support themselves.