Sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour

Question 1

Sexual selection

Answer 1

Evolutionary explanation of partner preference. Attributes or behaviours that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring.

Question 2

Human reproductive behaviour

Answer 2

Refers to any behaviours which relate to opportunities and increase survival chances of our genes.

Question 3

What is anisogamy?

Answer 3

Differences between male and female sex cells

Question 4

What is inter-sexual selection?

Answer 4

Females want quality over quantity- ova rarer than sperm and more energy to produce, therefore more selective. Genetically fit partner who is able and willing to provide resources.

Question 5

What is intra-sexual selection?

Answer 5

Males want quantity over quality- competition over males to be able to mate with a female. Winner gets to pass on to offspring characteristics that contributed to victory. Obvious differences- larger males more likely to mate, unnecessary for females as do not need to compete.

Question 6

Research support for preferences related to anisogamy

Answer 6

Buss found that males want fertility and looks; females want resources

Question 7

Research support for inter-sexual selection

Answer 7

Clark and Hatfield found that female students are choosier than males

Question 8

Ignores social and cultural influences

Answer 8

Social changes occur much faster than evolutionary timescales

Question 9

Support from waist-hip ratio research

Answer 9

Singh:Males find a WHR of 0.7 attractive because it’s an honest signal of fertility

Question 10

Support from lonely hearts research

Answer 10

Waynforth and Dunbar: Women tend to offer attractiveness and youth, men offer resources