lesson 1 - evolutionary explanations Flashcards
what is evolutionary psych
according to evolutionary psychology partner preferences are driven by sexual selection. this means that both males and females choose partners ti maximise their chances of reproductive success. individuals w traits that maximise reproductive success are more likely to survive and pass on genes responsible for their success
difference between male and female reproductive system
males have gametes which are able to reproduce quickly w little energy expenditure whereas female gametes are much less plentiful and require far more energy to produce. This difference means that males and females use distinct strategies to choose a partner. generally males use intra sexual selection
what is intra-sexual selection
where members of one sex (usually male) compete w one another for access to the other sex. this leads to male-female dimorphism which is accentuation of secondary sexual characteristics in those w greater reproductive fitness
what does anisogamy for males
suggests that a males best evolutionary strategy is to have as many partners as possible. males must compete w other males to present themselves as the most attractive mate to fertile female partners
what is mate guarding
males might engage in this where they guard their female partner to prevent them from mating w anyone else
what is cuckoldry
when males are fearful of having to raise another mans child
what is dimorphism
an accentuation of secondary sexual characteristics in those w greater reproductive fitness
what is inter sexual selection
where members of one sex (usually female) choose from available prospective mates according to attractiveness
what does anisogamy suggest about women
suggests that a women’s best evolutionary strategy is to be selective when choosing a partner. females will tend to seek a male who displays characteristics of physical health, high status and resources. Thus the males partner is able to protect them and provide for their children. Although this ability may have been equated to muscular strength in our evolutionary past, in modern society it is more likely to relate to occupation, social class and wealth
strengths of evolutionary explanations of partner preferences
- buss conducted a survey of over 10 000 adults in 33 countries and found that females reported valuing resource-based characteristics such as occupation whilst men values good looks and preferred young partners
- clark and Hatfield conducted a now infamous study where male and female psych students were asked to approach fellow students of Florida state uni of the opposite sex and ask them for one of the 3 things: go on a date, go back to their apartment or go to bed w them. 50% both men and women agreed to go to the date, 69% men agreed to visit the apartment and 75%men agreed to go to bed w them whereas only 6% women agreed to to the apartment and 0% accepted the more intimate offer
weaknesses of evolutionary explanations of partner preferences
- the evolutionary approach is deterministic suggesting that we have little free will in partner choice. However, everyday experience tells us we do have some control over our partner preferences
- evolutionary approaches to mate preferences are socially sensitive in that they promote traditional, sexist views regarding what are natural male and female behaviours which don’t apply to modern society. women are now more career orientated and independent therefore will not look for resourceful partners as much as they may have had to in decades past. Additionally, the availability of contraception means that evolutionary pressures are less relevant
- evolutionary theory makes little attempt to explain other types of relationships eg non heterosexual relationships and cultural variations in relationships which exist across the world eg arranges marriages
