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Question 1

Define sexual selection

Answer 1

• Evolutionary explanation for partner preferences
• Attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring

Question 2

Define anisogamy

Answer 2

• Difference between male and female+ female sex cells

Question 3

What are the two mating strategies proposed by Charles Darwin?

Answer 3

• Intersexual selection
• Intrasexual selection

Question 4

Outline intersexual selection

Answer 4

• Preferred mating strategy for females
• Members of one sex evolve preferences for desirable qualities in potential mates
• QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

(E.g. attractiveness + resources gain a mating advantage)

Question 5

Outline intrasexual selection

Answer 5

• Preferred mating strategy for males
• Individuals of one sex competes with members of the same sex for members of the other sex
• QUANTITY OVER QUALITY
• successful individuals can mate + pass on their genes

Question 6

Explain why mechanisms for mate choice evolve?

Answer 6

• Random mating is stupid mating
• Being ‘choosy’ (which is time + energy consuming) pays off as the genetic quality of a mate determines half the genetic quality of offspring
• Low-quality mates are likely to produce unattractive, unhealthy offspring
• FEMALES attracted to males who have resources + can invest resources in her and her offspring, can parent well + can protect them - for females creating offspring is TIME + ENERGY CONSUMING
• MALES - creating offspring requires little time, energy and responsibility

Question 7

Outline a study supporting intersexual selection

Answer 7

• Fisher’s (1930) ‘sexy sons’ hypothesis
• If female chooses to mate w/ attractive male, her offspring will also grow up to be attractive so they will also attract mates
  ^— ensures female’s genes passed on

Question 8

Define physical dimorphism

Answer 8

Differences in the body size and physical appearance between males and females

Question 9

Outline the procedure of Buss (1989)

Answer 9

• Explored what males and females looked for in a long-term partner
• 10000 people from 37 different cultures
• Participants asked to rate each of 18 characteristics (e.g. physical attractiveness, good financial prospect) on how important they would be in choosing a mate
• Four-point scale used: 3 (indispensable) to 0 (irrelevant)

Question 10

Outline the findings of Buss (1989)

Answer 10

RESOURCES - women desired mates who had good financial prospects more than men - desire for men with resources or ambition
PHYSICAL ATTRACTIVENESS - men placed more importance on physical attractiveness - cues a woman’s health + fertility
YOUTH - men universally wanted mates who were younger than them - indicated fertility
OTHER - both sexes wanted intelligent (linked to parenting skill) + kind (linked to interest in long-term relationships) mates