Relationships

Question 1

Anisogamy definition

Answer 1

differences between male & female gametes (sex cells) influence different mating strategies; males have unlimited fertility/sperm, females have limited period of fertility

Question 2

According to evolutionary theory, what are males attracted to regarding fertility?

Answer 2

Males (by theory) should be attracted to females who are of peak fertilityand at an age when they are ready to reproduce

Question 3

Evidence for peak fertility theory

Answer 3

+ Buss (1989) carried out a cross-cultural study of 37 cultures and found that in all 37 samples males preferred a mate that was younger. It was also found that males on average would choose a mate in her mid-twenties which is near to peak fertility. All 37 samples showed that males value ‘physical attractiveness’ and ‘relative youth’ more than females.

Question 4

Waist-hip ratio

Answer 4

Males favour a low WHR as it is a sign of fertility

Question 5

Sexual jealousy according to evolutionary theory

Answer 5

By theory, males should be more sexually jealous than females due to the greater uncertainty over paternity –as males cannot be sure the child is theirs, they should be more concerned with their partners’ infidelity to maximise the chances that it is their genes

Question 6

Promiscuous/ more partners according to evolutionary theory

Answer 6

Males should want to mate with as many females as possible to maximise impregnation chances

Question 7

Evidence for peak fertility theory