Relationships - Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences

Question 1

what is sexual selection

Answer 1

• evolutionary explanation of partner preference
• attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success are passed on

Question 2

what is anisogamy

Answer 2

• human reproductive behaviour
• differences between male and female sex cells
• fertile female is a rarer resource

Question 3

what is intersexual selection

Answer 3

• between the sexes
• strategies males use to select females (vice versa)
• females make a greater investment of time during and after the birth

Question 4

what is intra sexual selection

Answer 4

• within each sex
• strategies between males to be the one selected

Question 5

what is the research support for partner preferences

Answer 5

Clark and Hatfield (1989) - inter
- male and female psych student across a campus
- approached other students ‘I have been noticing you around campus. I find you to be very attractive. Would you go to bed with me tonight?’
- no female students agreed but 75% of males did

David Buss (1989)
- survey of 10,000 adults in 33 countries
- females placed greater value of resource related characteristics than males
- males valued physical characteristics

Question 6

what are the limitations for partner preference

Answer 6

• overlook the influence of social and cultural factors on partner preference
• women have a greater role in the workplace and don’t need a male to provide for them

Buss and Schmitt (2016)
- both males and females adopt similar mating strategies when seeking long term relationships