Relationships

Question 1

What is sexual selection?

Answer 1

An evolutionary explanation of partner preference. Attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success and passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring. Females choose males that are more likely to produce robust offspring for future generations.

Question 2

What is anisogomy?

Answer 2

Difference between male and female gametes. One consequence of this is that there is no shortage of ferile malees but there is a shortage of fertile females.

Question 3

Describe male gametes

Answer 3

Small, Highly mobile and are produced in large number from puberty to old age with little energy

Question 4

Describe female gametes

Answer 4

Relatively large, static and are produced at intervals for a limited amount of fertile years

Question 5

What is inter-sexual selection?

Answer 5

The strategies that males use to select females or females to select males. It is preferred by women as quality over quantity.

Question 6

What did trivers suggest?

Answer 6

Females make greater commitment to choosing a mate and are more selective as the consequences are worse, therefore they choose a genetically fit partner to provide resources for. This female preference is transferred across generations

Question 7

What is the sexy sons hypothesis?

Answer 7

The genes we see today are a result of enhanced reproductive success. A female who mates with a male will have sons with this man will therefore pass on the genes. These means the genes are processed down generations

Question 8

What is intra sexual selection?

Answer 8

Strategies within sexes to be selected for example men competing for a women. Quantity of quality. There is a competition between males to be chosen and the winner gets to pass on his traits to new generations

Question 9

How is dimophism represented?

Answer 9

Males and females look very different. For men it is size that matters whereas because women don’t compete there is not need to be larger or better, however youthfulness is valued.

Question 10

What are the behavioural conseuqneces of intra sexual selection?

Answer 10

The behavioural characteristics such as aggressiveness that helped the male to win are passed down to the son

Question 11

Evaluate the evolutionary explanation

Answer 11

One strength is that there is evidence supporting the idea of female choosiness. In a study, university students were sent around campus and were told to say to people ‘I have been noticing around. I find you very attractive. Will you go to bed with me?’ No female student agreed but 75% of men agreed. This supports that females are choosier than males in partner preferences.
Counterpoint: It is simplistic. Strategies for both sexes may differ depending on the relationship. Studies argue that men and women can be the same when looking for long term relationships. This is a more complex and nuanced explanation

Question 12

Evaluate evolutionary explanations

Answer 12

Another strength is evidence to support the predictions of sexual selection. In a survey of over 10,000 adults in 33 countries he asked questions relating to to partner preference. Females placed more value on resource-related characteristics whereas men valued physical attractivenes more. These findings reflect consistent differences in sex preferences

Question 13

Evaluate evolutionary explanations

Answer 13

One limitation is that the theories overlook sexual and cultural difference in partner preference. Partner preferences have undoubtadly been influenced by rapidly changing social norms of behaviour. These develop faster than predicted and have come about due to culture. Womens greater role in the workplace no longer requires men to provide for them, this is a social change. Therefore explanations today are both and all theories should account for both

Question 14

What is self disclosure?

Answer 14

Revealing personal information about yourself. Partners reveal more about themselves as they develop in a relationship. It can help strengthen a romantic bond when used correctly.

Question 15

Describe the social penetration theory

Answer 15

Altman and Taylor. The gradual process of revealing your inner self to someone. This involves a reciprocal exchange of information. As they disclose more nad more partners become more involved in each others lives

Question 16

Describe the breadth and depth of self disclosure

Answer 16

As both the breadth and depth of self disclosure increase the partners become more committed to one another. Metaphor of an onion. We reveal a lot about ourselves on the first date but it is superficial. This means the breadth is narrow as some topics are off limits but we reveal more and more about ourselves as it goes on until we eventually disclose risk information

Question 17

What is the reciprocity of self disclosure?

Answer 17

For relationships to increase in breadth and depth there may be a reciprocal element. This means partners responding in the same way to one another. This results in a balance of self disclosure

Question 18

Evaluate self disclosure

Answer 18

One strength is that there is research support. in a study strong correlations were found between self disclosure and satisfaction/commitment. It was also found that relationships are closer when partners decide to self disclose. This increases the validity of a theory.
Counterpoint: Much of the research is correlational. This means that cause and effect relationships cannot be established. It may be that it is a third variable such as time spent together.

Question 19

Evaluate self disclosure

Answer 19

Another strength is that it can improve communication. Romantic partners sometimes use self disclosure as a way of strengthening their bond. In a study 57% of couples said they use it so it may be beneficial for young partners to use it as well. This can help people who are having problems in their relationships

Question 20

Evaluate self disclosure

Answer 20

One limitation is that it is not the same for all cultures. In a study on sexual self disclosure it was found that men and women in the USA disclose more than those in China however the levels of satisfaction were not different. This means it is a limited explanation.

Question 21

What is physical attractiveness?

Answer 21

An important factor in the formation of romantic relationships. How appealing we find a persons face. This comes from a general agreement within cultures. Shackleford and Larsen suggest people with symmetrical faces are rated as moree attractive. People are also attracted to neotonus (baby faced) people

Question 22

Describe the halo effect

Answer 22

This means someone’s physical attractiveness means that we have preconcieved ideas about them. Dion et al suggested ‘what is beautiful is good’. People who are physically good looking a consistently rated as being more successful. One distinguising feature has an effect on their attractiveness. This is also known as a self-fulfilling prophecy

Question 23

What is the matching hypothesis?

Answer 23

We choose partners based on people who match us physically. This implies we take in our own attractiveness as a way of rating others

Question 24

Describe how research on the matching hypothesis was conducted

Answer 24

Male and females were invited to a dance in which they were rated on attractiveness by objective observers. They also completed a questionnaire on themselves. This information would decide who they were paired up with during the evening.

Question 25

What did walster find?

Answer 25

Hypothesis was rejected. Most liked partners were also the most physically attractive. In a replica however, when they were allowed to choose people did match. Relationships are based on compromise and we choose people in our league

Question 26

Evaluate physical attractiveness

Answer 26

One strength is that there is research support. Palmer and peterson found that physically attractive people were also rated as being more politically knowledgable. It persisted when ppts knew they had no expertise. This therefore has implications for the political process

Question 27

Evaluate physical attractiveness

Answer 27

One strength is that it support evolutionary explanations. Cunnigham found that women who had a small nose and large eyes for example were rated as most attractive across all cultures. This is because it is a sign of genetic fitness and this is important across all cultues. This means the importance makes sense

Question 28

Evaluate physical attractiveness

Answer 28

One limitation is that it is not supported by real world research. Taylor studies logs on dating websites which keeps with the original hypothesis of studying. They found people wanted to date those more attractive then them. This undeermines the validity of the matching hypothesis.
Counterpoint: May be different than selecting certain people for the relationship. Meta analysis of studies which found a significant correlation in ratings of physical attractiveness. So online dating may be the same as in other elements of life.