Lesson 1 - Evolutionary Explanations Flashcards
What does it suggest?
Partners are driven by sexual selection. Both males and females pick of certain characteristics that would make reproductive success more likely (strength).
What are the biological differences between males and females?
Male gametes which can reproduce quickly. Female gametes are less plentiful. This difference (Anisogamy) means there use different strategies to choose a partner.
What strategies do men and women use to choose partners?
Men = Intra-sexual selection
Women = Inter-sexual selection
Outline Intra-sexual selection.
Where members of one sex (usually males) compete for access to the other sex. Anisogamy also suggests a males best strategy is too have as many partners as they can have. Possible due to many eggs. They may engage in mate guarding.
What is mate guarding?
Male guarding female partner to prevent them mating with someone else.
Outline inter-sexual selection.
When members of one sex (female) choose from available partners based on attractiveness. Anisogamy suggest females best strap is to be selective when picking partner due to little eggs.
What is a strength of Evolutionary explanations?
Buss study. He conducted a study on 10,000 adults in 33 diff countries and found females value resource based characteristics (occupation), whilst men valued good looks.
What is a weakness of Evolutionary explanations?
This approach is deterministic, and suggests we have little control over partner choice. However this isn’t true.
What is another weakness of evolutionary explanations?
Makes little attempt to explain other typed of relationships e.g. gay relationships.
