Partner Preference^ Flashcards
Sexual Selection
Darwin
- “survival of the sexiest”
attributes/ beh passed on to increase reproduction success
Anisogamy
difference between male and female sex
Female Gametes
egg
large
static
limited years of fertility
investment in time and energy
Male Gametes
sperm
small
mobile
infinite
limited use in time and energy
Intersexual Selection
Between the sexes
what one sex looks in the other one
preferred mating strategy for females
quality over quantity
What Females Want in Males?
tall
strong
caring / sensitive
money
support
protection
What Males Want in Females?
0.7 waist to hip ratio
baby like face
fertility
good complexion
good hair
full lips
Trivers about Intersexual Selection
females care more about time/ commitment/ resources than males
because making a mistake is more serious due to their fertility window
Fisher about Intersexual Selection
“sexy sons hypothesis”
genes of today are determined by reproduction success
women select men for certain traits, so their sons will have them too
Introsexual Selection
preferred by males
quantity over quality
competition between males to mate
need to be stronger/bigger for an advantage
women need to look young to appear fertile
Dimorphism (IntroS)
men and women look different from one another
Behaviour Consequences (IntroS)
aggression is passed on (if genetic)
- protect women
deceit, intelligence
- to win women over
Attachment Theory
can provide alternative explanation for partner preferences
Research Support
Buss
- survey over 10,000 adults in 33 different countries
F care more about resource-related characteristics
M value attractiveness and youth
Findings reflect consistent sex differences in sexual selection
Support for Intersexual Selection
Clark & Hatfield
- strangers approach people and asks
“Would you go on a date with me?”
- F 50% (get to know them better) / M 50%
“Would you go back to my apartment with me?”
- F 6% / M 69%
“Would you have sex with me?”
- F 0% / M 75% (less commitment)
VS Support for InterS
Too simplified
doesn’t consider how wants/ needs differ depending on seriousness of relationship
Buss & Schmitt
- both females and males look for similar traits when looking for a long term partner (loyal, loving, kind)
Social & Cultural Factors
Bereczkei
- women are more independent, work more, so dont need men
Today’s partner preference is a combination of evolutionary and cultural factors
Explanation is limited
Homosexuality Differences
Does not account for gay relationships
genetic fitness is not always the concern (even less now with the diff birth ways)
Lawson et al
- studied gay and straight men and women
- looked at how they advertised themselves and what they look for
- both genders had similar preferences, despite their wanted relationship type
