The Evolutionary Approach/ Explainations Flashcards
What does the evolutionary approach look at
The relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour
Passing down Genes
Important to Pass on good genes to children as enhances chances of survival (natural selection) and change of finding a mate to reproduce.
-having bad genes weakens your gene pull
What do men look for in women
Signs of fertility eg boobs, hourglass figure, wide hips
What is Darwins survival of the fittest theory
Characteristics that enhance the ability to survive or reproduce eg height and strength are passed on to offspring
What is sexual selection - survival of the sexiest
Competition between same sex- competing to have the most attractive characteristics to win over the opposite sex to reproduce with those with the most desirable characteristics.
What is intra-sexual selection
Males competing for women by having the most desirable characteristics.
Those who win get to mate those who ‘lose’ genes do not get passed down.
-women have to be choosy as they have limited fertility so want the best genes.
What is inter-sexual selection
Women choosing men based on desirable characteristics eg height, strength
So they can pass these characteristics down to their Children.
What is Dimorphism
Refers to the differences between males and females - clear differences between shape and size
Reproduction system
Females produce eggs that contain a store of food for the embryo to grow.
Eggs are limited as there is physiological cost for women.
Whist men have unlimited fertility and doesn’t have to bare babies.
- these differences in reproductive cells lead to a different in investment levels of investment in reproduction.
Supporting research for inter-sexual selection C + H and conclusion
Clarke and Hatfield
Male and female uni students sent out to campus to ask opposite sex ‘you’re very attractive would you like to sleep with me tonight?’
-75% of males said yes 0% of females said yes
- supports evolutionary theory as suggests females are choosier than men
when it comes to selecting sexual partners, for the fear of getting pregnant with the wrong person. Whilst men go for quantity over quality.
Issue with Clarke’s and Hatfields research
Lacks population validity
As only down on young uni students who may think they’re just living the ‘uni life’ with sex, alcohol etc.
Probably wouldn’t get the same results if the study was to be carried out on a random street in London.p, for example.
Another supporting study B
Buss
Gave questionnaire to all different countries, cultures, ages, relationship status.
10,000+ pp
-asked about important characteristics for partners
-men- rated good looks as more important (shows fertility)
-women- wanted more older men who were financially well off as they viewed them as a provider.
Conclusion of Buss’ study
?
Evaluation of evolutionary theory
> suggests people choose partner just based on the genes they want to pass down to their children but don’t acknowledge:
-same sex relationships as both people can’t be biological parents of the child
-or people who don’t want kids but still have sex.
-culteral differences- not all Cultures have the same desirable characteristics eg china, India chastity is very important but for Scandinavian country’s they didn’t care about chastity.
- the importance of saving fertility to not have babies with the wrong men has lessened in modern day due to contraception
