3.1: The evolutionary explanation for partner preferences

Question 1

Freya has decided to use her local newspaper’s classified section to find a romantic partner.
In her advert, Freya describes herself as looking for an older man seeking a long-term relationship, who is well off financially. She describes herself as youthful, slim and attractive and that she enjoys playing sports.
Making reference to the scenario above, explain Freya’s classified advert in terms of evolutionary explanations for partner preferences (4 marks)

Answer 1

Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences see females as seeking men who are resource-rich, so that the male can support them and the children who are
produced in the relationship.
This is reflected in Freya looking for a man who is
financially well-off

Question 2

Freya has decided to use her local newspaper’s classified section to find a romantic partner.
In her advert, Freya describes herself as looking for an older man seeking a long-term relationship, who is well off financially. She describes herself as youthful, slim and attractive and that she enjoys playing sports.
Making reference to the scenario above, explain Freya’s classified advert in terms of evolutionary explanations for partner preferences (4 marks).
Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences see females as seeking men who are resource-rich, so that the male can support them and the children who are
produced in the relationship.
This is reflected in Freya looking for a man who is
financially well-off.

Answer 2

Evolutionary explanations also see men as seeking fertile females to breed with and this is reflected in Freya emphasising that she is youthful.
The fact that she states that she is slim highlights that she is healthy and not bearing another man’s child.
A potential partner wouldn’t want to waste his resources raising another man’s genes