Relationships (P3)

Question 1

Kerckhoff and Davis (1962) filter theory
(Factors affecting attraction)

Answer 1

-Compared the attitudes and personalities of student couples in short term (under 18 months) and long term
-Suggest that our choice of romantic partner we progress through 3 levels of ‘filtering’ to narrow down the pool of available to a field of ‘desirables’
1) Social demography- factors that increase chances of potential partners meeting one other (location, school, ethnic group, religion etc.)
2)Similarity of attitudes (most important in 1st 18 months)
3)Complementarity (most important post 18 months)

Question 2

What is anisogamy and what are the consequences? (Evolutionary explanations of relationships)

Answer 2

-Anisogamy refers to the difference between male and female gametes
-Due to the plentiful sperm and limited ova, leads to 2 distinct mating strategies: intra-sexual by males and intersexual via females

Question 3

How to remember which mating strategy is preferred by males v females

Answer 3

IntrA-sexual selection= mAles
IntEr-sexual selection= fEmales

-Inter-sexual selection= idea that women can afford to be more choosy when selecting a mate as the investment into offspring is greater. Look for resource based characteristics eg. Money to provide security for offspring

-Intra-sexual selection= males must compete against eachother for choosy females. Prefer younger and more fertile looking females.