Relationships

Question 1

Sexual selection v natural

Answer 1

Survival of the sexiest v survival of the fittest

Question 2

Anisogamy

Answer 2

Differences between M&F sex cells
Male gametes (sperm) = small, mobile, vast numbers
Female gametes (eggs) = large, static, limited numbers

Question 3

Why are male and female gametes important in partner preference?

Answer 3

Gives two different mating strategies

Question 4

Inter-sexual selection

Answer 4

Female strategy - quality over quantity
Eggs rare & harder to produce = greater energy
F makes greater investment of time for offspring
Males compete
Determines features passed down

Question 5

Intra-sexual selection

Answer 5

Male strategy - quantity over quality
Competition between males to mate with females
Winner reproduces & passes on characteristics

Question 6

Evolutionary explanations AO3 1: RS for preferences related to anisogamy

Answer 6

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Buss
Survey: 10,000 adults, 33 countries
Q relating to important attributes in partner preference
(F) females preferred resource-related traits; males valued looks

Question 7

Evolutionary explanations AO3 2: Ignores social influences

Answer 7

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Pref included by changing norms of behaviour
E.g., W’s greater role in workplace = no longer depend on men to provide
F pref may no longer be resource-oriented

Question 8

Evolutionary explanations AO3 3: Support from wait-hip ratio research

Answer 8

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Singh
Studied M body shape pref
Wider hips; narrower waist ‘honest signal’ of fertility

Question 9

Evolutionary explanations AO3 4: Support for inter-sexual selection

Answer 9

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75% M agreed to go back to bed with unknown student
‘I have been noticing you around campus. Would you go to bed with me tonight’
F choosier than M

Question 10

Self-disclosure

Answer 10

Revealing personal info & more and more as relationship develops

Question 11

Social penetration theory

Answer 11

Gradual process of revealing inner self
Reciprocal exchange
Greater understanding
Trust when revealing

Question 12

Onion layers

Answer 12

We disclose a lot at the beginning, but peel away ‘low-risk’ info

Question 13

Breadth of disclosure

Answer 13

Narrow
Many topics ‘off-limits’ in early stages
Revealing some things too soon might threaten chances

Question 14

Depth

Answer 14

Removing more layers to reveal intimate & high risk info

Question 15

Reciprocity of self-disclosure

Answer 15

Needs to be a reciprocal elements
Gaining of understanding/empathy on both behalves

Question 16

Self-disclosure AO3 1: Support from research studies

Answer 16

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Heterosexual dating couples - strong correlation between several measures of satisfaction/s-d
M&W who used s-d were more committed

Question 17

Self-disclosure AO3 2: RWA

Answer 17

+
Improving communication
57% gay m/w said open/honest s-d was the main way to deepen commitment

Question 18

Self-disclosure AO3 3: Cultural differences

Answer 18

-
Increasing breadth/depth for intimacy not true for all
(F) USA m/w s-d more sexual thoughts than Chinese

Question 19

Self-disclosure AO3 4: Alternative explanation

Answer 19

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Physical attractiveness might determine levels of intimacy, e.g., matching hypothesis - best physical fit