Relationships- evolutionary explanation for partner preference. Flashcards
define sexual selection
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.
define humane reproductive behaviour
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.
define Anisogamy
refers to the differences between male and female sex cells.
characteristic of male gametes
created constantly in vast numbers and need little energy to produce.
characteristics of female gametes
produced in intervals fro a limited number of fertile years and requires significant energy.
why is anisogamy important in partner preference
gives rise to two types of sexual selection
what is inter sexual selection
between the sexes – the strategies that males use to select females or females use to select males.
what is the preferred strategy of the female
quality over quantity.
why do females prefer quality over quantity
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.
what hypothesis did Fisher create
the sexy son hypothesis
what are the key points of the sexy son hypothesis
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.
give an example of a preferred genetic attribute
male height.
what is inter sexual selection preferred for females
the preferred strategy of the female.
what is intra sexual selection
within each sex – the strategies between males to be the one that is selected.
what is the preferred strategy of males
quantity over quality.
why do males prefer quantity
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
what are the two patterns of human reproductive behaviour
Physical consequences and Behavioural consequences
what is a physical consequences of intra sexual selection
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.
what is a behavioural consequence of intra sexual selection
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.
who did a study on the sexual selection of uni students
clark and hatfield.
what questions where used in clark and Hatfields study
I have been noticing you around campus
I find you very attractive
would you go to bed with me tonight.
what where the findings of clark and Hatfields study
75% of males immediately said yes.
not a single female accepted the request.
what is the differences between male and female sex cells.
anisogamy
what selection prefers quantity over quality
intra sexual selection: male
what selection prefers quality over quantity
inter sexual selection: female.