Sexual Selection

Question 1

Sexual Selection

Answer 1

Characteristics that have evolved because they provide a reproductive advantage
–> These characteristics provide an advantage in reproductive behaviour because they’re either attractive to potential maters or they provide an advantage over competitors

Question 2

Anisogamy

Answer 2

-Two gametes that are different coming together to reproduce

-Men have sperm cells which are able to reproduce quickly with little energy expenditure. Once they start producing-> don’t stop until death

-Female gametes released in limited time frame and require much more energy to produce

Men and women have different strategies as a result

Question 3

Inter-sexual selection

Answer 3

Female Strategy
They prefer ‘quality over quantity’
Women will be more picky as to who she mates with due to her limited
Sexy Son Hypothesis- female preference for a genetically fit male determines which features are passed on to their offspring

Question 4

Intra-sexual selection

Answer 4

Male strategy
Prefer ‘quantity over quality’
Successful individuals are able to mate and pass on their genes
Men compete for fertile women, meaning they have an evolutionary preference for those who show features of fertility

Question 5

Sexual Selection A03
Research support for preferences related to anisogamy

Answer 5

Buss (1989)
-Females place greater value on resource-related characteristics in males than men do
-Males are more interested in looks, chastity and youthfulness
-They support the idea that men have evolved to want to pass on as many genes as possible as they’re looking for the most fertile females, whereas women are more choosy with their mates as they have more to lose so are looking for the mate that provides the most resources

Question 6

AO3- Sexual Selection
Ignores social and cultural influences

Answer 6

-The availability of contraception means females don’t have to be choosy when selecting a sexual partner
-Many women work now, meaning they don’t depend on males for resources so they don’t need to pick a sexual partner based on the resources he can provide for her and her offspring

Question 7

AO3- Sexual Selection
Alpha Bias

Answer 7

Exaggerates the differences between males and females yet it may be the both genders look for similar traits that aren’t necessarily about resources/physical traits
-Traits could cover a middle ground and be important for both sexes e.g Kindness and Loyalty