Relationships - evolutionary explanations for partner preference Flashcards
What are the 3 stages of the cycle of relationships
Formation, maintenance, dissolution
What are the two main factors that determine Darwin’s theory of evolution
Survival, reproduction
What is sexual selection
Striving to find a suitable partner to produce offspring, based off specific traits and characteristics
What are the 4 main evolutionary explnations for relationships
Natural selection, adaption, reproductive success, sexual selection
What is natural selection
Process of inheriting characteristics that enhance survival through generations
What is adaption
Functional products of natural/sexual selection in human evolution
What is reproductive success
Degree to which an individual is successful in producing offspring who can produce offspring of their own
What is sexual selection
Ability to attract a mate and reproduce, passing down attributes
What is anisogamy in relation to sexual selection
Differences between male and female sex cells (gametes)
What are some examples of anisogamy
Women produce 1 egg per month and across 25 years, men can produce roughly 100 mil sperm with one ejaculation for their entire life, meaning men do not sacrifice much
What are the two methods of sexual selection to boost reproductive success
Inter-sexual selection, intra-sexual selection
What is inter-sexual selection as a method of sexual selection
One sex choses from a group of prospective mates according to attractiveness
What is intra-sexual selection as a method of sexual selection
Members of one sex compete for access to the other sex
What method of sexual selection is mainly used by females and why
Inter-sexual selection, as females make a greater investment through birth so wisely chooses a partner who can offer resources - ‘sexy sons’
What method of sexual selection is mainly used by males and why
Intra-sexual selection, as whoever wins the mate passes their offspring their victorious genes.
What is an example of generic attraction from males to females
Waist : hip ratio
What research was conducted into waist : hip ratio in females
Singh (1993, 2002) said males find any hip and waist size attractive as long as the ratio is about 0.7, as it signals fertility
What are the 5 male mating strategies
Courtship rituals - showing off genetic potential / resources
Size - Bigger size and strength to protect offspring
Sperm competition - Evolved bigger testicles and faster sperm
Mate guarding - Close eye on partner to prevent unfaithfulness
Sneak copulation - being unfaithful
What are the 3 female mating strategies
Handicap hypothesis - may pick men with handicaps to show thriving through adversity
Sexy sons hypothesis - Select attractive males so genes are passed onto children
Courtship - Dating to establish a man’s worth to produce offspring
What is some research to support sexual selection difference in genders
Clark and Hatfield (1989) sent a male and female student across a uni to ask other students to sleep with them. ) girls agreed, but 75% of males did
