Relationships- evolutionary explanation for partner preference.

Question 1

define sexual selection

Answer 1

an evolutionary explanation for partner preference. attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive successes are passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring.

Question 2

define humane reproductive behaviour

Answer 2

any behaviours which relate to opportunities to reproduce and thereby increase the survival chances of our genes

includes the evolutionary mechanisms underlying our partner preferences, such as mate choice and mate competition.

Question 3

define Anisogamy

Answer 3

refers to the differences between male and female sex cells.

Question 4

characteristic of male gametes

Answer 4

created constantly in vast numbers and need little energy to produce.

Question 5

characteristics of female gametes

Answer 5

produced in intervals fro a limited number of fertile years and requires significant energy.

Question 6

why is anisogamy important in partner preference

Answer 6

gives rise to two types of sexual selection

Question 7

what is inter sexual selection

Answer 7

between the sexes – the strategies that males use to select females or females use to select males.

Question 8

what is the preferred strategy of the female

Answer 8

quality over quantity.

Question 9

why do females prefer quality over quantity

Answer 9

Females make a greater investment of time, commitment and other resources before, during and after birth.

Therefore, female’s optimum mating strategy is to select a genetically-fit partner who is able to provide resources.

Question 10

what hypothesis did Fisher create

Answer 10

the sexy son hypothesis

Question 11

what are the key points of the sexy son hypothesis

Answer 11

females who mate with a male with certain traits will have sons who inherit that sexy trait.

sons will then be selected by successive generations of females.

Question 12

give an example of a preferred genetic attribute

Answer 12

male height.

Question 13

what is inter sexual selection preferred for females

Answer 13

the preferred strategy of the female.

Question 14

what is intra sexual selection

Answer 14

within each sex – the strategies between males to be the one that is selected.

Question 15

what is the preferred strategy of males

Answer 15

quantity over quality.

Question 16

why do males prefer quantity

Answer 16

Males compete for access to females as sperm is plentiful but fertile females are a limited resource and are choosy.

Males who ‘win’ pass on their genes to the next generation so the traits that contributed to their victory

Question 17

what are the two patterns of human reproductive behaviour

Answer 17

Physical consequences and Behavioural consequences

Question 18

what is a physical consequences of intra sexual selection

Answer 18

males who are bigger win competitions for mates, so size is selected in males.

males who are bigger win competitions for mates, so size is selected in males.

Question 19

what is a behavioural consequence of intra sexual selection

Answer 19

males may benefit from behaving aggressively in order to acquire fertile females and protect them from competing males. This leads to the selection of aggressiveness in males.

Question 20

who did a study on the sexual selection of uni students

Answer 20

clark and hatfield.

Question 21

what questions where used in clark and Hatfields study

Answer 21

I have been noticing you around campus

I find you very attractive

would you go to bed with me tonight.

Question 22

what where the findings of clark and Hatfields study

Answer 22

75% of males immediately said yes.
not a single female accepted the request.

Question 23

what is the differences between male and female sex cells.

Answer 23

anisogamy

Question 24

what selection prefers quantity over quality

Answer 24

intra sexual selection: male

Question 25

what selection prefers quality over quantity

Answer 25

inter sexual selection: female.