relationships - evolutionary explanations Flashcards
what is sexual selection?
sexual selection is an evolutionary explanation for partner preferences and means that attributes and behaviour can have an increase on successful reproduction being passed onto the offspring.
what is human reproductive behaviour?
this is the different behaviours that humans use to increase their reproductive success which links with the survival of our genes
what is anisogamy?
this is related to the difference of female and male sex cells (gametes)
male gametes (sperm)
sperm is small, extremely mobile, and are produced from puberty until old age, this requires little to no energy.
female gametes (egg)
eggs are relatively large, static and have a finite supply, this also means that due to only one egg being released on a cycle (every month) it requires more energy to produce.
what is the runaway hypothesis?
this consists of certain characteristics that are seen as more attractive so are more likely to persist, e.g., having a son that inherits that trait or a daughter who will look for that trait.
what is inter-sexual selection?
inter-sexual selection is link with women and how they choose quality over quantity, while looking for a partner, they will look for someone who is genetically fit and will be able to provide resources for their offspring. women will look for physical traits, like height, so that it can be passed to their offspring, women can come off as more careful while choosing their partner.
tivers (1972)
women have greater investment, commitment, time, energy and resources so that they can provide and take care of their offspring.
what is intra-sexual selection?
intra-sexual selection is linked with males and how they choose quantity over quality, men tend to compete with each other about mating with females, and they compete about height, upper body strength and broad shoulders, this can also be linked with the difference in body size between males and females causing body dimorphism
