Wedekind⭐ Flashcards
1
Q
Year
A
1995
2
Q
Aim
A
Determine whether one’s MHC would affect mate choice.
3
Q
Sample
A
49 female, 44 male, University in Switzerland
4
Q
Procedure
A
Participants’ MHCs were ‘typed’ - wide variance in sample
It was noted if women were taking oral contraceptive.
Men: Wear T-shirt for 2 nights (NO: Scented hygiene products, spicy food, alcohol, smoking, sex)
Women: Asked to smell 7 T-shirts in boxes (3 similar, 3 dissimilar, 1 unworn as control). Asked to rate pleasantness and sexiness of each scent 1-10.
5
Q
Results and Conclusion
A
Women rated scent of men whose MHC was dissimilar to them as more pleasant.
Results reversed if woman taking oral contraceptive.
Supports evolutionary argument of mate selection (different MHC means stronger immune system of offspring)
