R - Sexual selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour

Question 1

Inter-sexual selection

Answer 1

• Preferred mating strategy of female, ‘quality over quantity’
• Females are choosier and look for resources because consequences of a bad choice are more critical for her

Question 2

Intra-sexual selection

Answer 2

• Preferred mating strategy of males ‘quantity over quality’
• Males compete to mate with as many females as possible in hopes of maximising their reproductive success
• They will look for females with small waist to hip ratio as this is a sign of youth and fertility

Question 3

Anisogamy

Answer 3

Refers to the difference in make and female sex cells (sperm and ova) which give rise to different mating strategies

Question 4

What is the sexy sons hypothesis?

Answer 4

Female preference for a genetically ‘fit’ male ensure that desirable characteristics (e.g. height) are inherited by male offspring increasing their chances of reproduction

Question 5

Positive evaluation of sexual selection

Answer 5

• David Buss carried out a survey of over 10000 adults in 33 Countries and found that females placed greater value on resource-related characteristics whiles males valued reproductive capacity and preferred younger mates.

Question 6

Negative evaluation of sexual selection

Answer 6

• Outdated assumptions: the idea that females rely on men for resources is ill-suited to modern society as women are becoming more and more financially dependent meaning less emphasis may be placed on this