Lesson 2 - evolutionary explanations for partner preferences

Question 1

sexual selection

Answer 1

partner preferences are driven by this:

selecting a partner/ mate, due to the characteristics they possess, in order to maximise reproductive success

= e.g. height, wide hips, strength etc..
= more likely to survive + pass on genes responsible for success

Question 2

anisogamy

Answer 2

the difference in the male + female gametes

female:
- eggs = less plentiful
- require far more energy to produce
- limited by age (menopause)

males:
- sperms = able to produce quickly
- require less energy
- unlimited by age

Question 3

intra-sexual selection

Answer 3

members of one sex compete with one another for access to the other sex
= leads to male-female dimorphism

anisogamy = male’s best strategy is to have as many partners as possible + compete w/ other males

mate guarding

Question 4

mate guarding

Answer 4

intra-sexual selection:

where they guard female partner to prevent them from mating with anyone else
= fearful of having to raise another man’s child = cuckoldry

Question 5

inter-sexual selection

Answer 5

where members of one sex usually choose from available prospective mates according to attractiveness

anisogamy = a woman’s best strategy is to be selective when choosing
= tend to seek a male who displays advantageous characteristics e.g.
- good physical health
- high status
- resources

Question 6

disads

Answer 6

• deterministic
• big males
• homosexual, other reasons?

Question 7

Buss 33 countries

Answer 7

Buss conducted a survey of over 10,000 adults in 33 countries + found that females valuing resource-based characteristics (such as occupation) whilst men valued good looks and preferred younger partners

Question 8

deterministic

Answer 8

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

Question 9

-ve = big males

Answer 9

• can cause problems in a relationship
• if males need to be ‘big’
• can be an excuse for them to abuse their power
  = lead to them being aggressive + possessive
• can lead to domestic violence

Question 10

-ve = homosexual/ other reasons

Answer 10

• Evolutionary theory makes little attempt to explain other types of relationships
• e.g. non-heterosexual relationships
• cultural variations in relationships which exist across the world
• e.g. arranged marriages…
• also assumes that everyone who selects a partner wants to have children
• but people form relationships for other reasons + homosexuals can’t have children biologically/ can’t have children