Discuss evolutionary explanations for partner preferences in relationships Flashcards
outline natural selection
sexual dimorphism
secondary sexual characteristics
sexual selection
Natural selection is the process in which inherited characteristics become more or less common in a population as they confer some environmental advantage that makes it more likely for an individual to survive – some of these become displays of health and fitness which demonstrates an individual’s increased likelihood of bearing strong offspring.
Sexual dimorphism is the process in which different characteristics evolve in males (e.g., strength) and females (breasts).
Secondary sexual characteristics are then displayed by an individual for them to be selected by a mate through sexual selection.
Males display their ability to protect and provide whilst females display fertility to carry and care for children. Sexual selection is the display of desirable characteristics to increase one’s chance of securing a mate for reproduction.
Women predominantly engage in inter-sexual selection (act of selecting an ideal mate) whilst men engage in intra-sexual selection (competition between men to be selected).
Differences in selection and competition leads to differences in males and females when choosing a partner.
women v men selection
Women, as they have limited reproductive possibilities, are biologically motivated to invest more in caring for their offspring and are motivated to carefully select an ideal mate (inter-sexual selection) to pass their selfish gene (Dawkins).
This is especially true as they can be sure their offspring is genetically theirs (Travis, internal fertilisation theory) so are more likely to invest heavily in their children
- so, women will seek signs of provision (high financial status) and signs of protection (muscular physique) and will tend to select an older partner as characteristics associated with provision are more likely in older men.
Men, as they have numerous reproductive possibilities, are biologically motivated to invest less in caring for offspring and motivated to compete to be selected by numerous (intra-sexual selection) to pass on their selfish gene (Dawkins).
This is especially true as men cannot be sure their child is genetically their (Travis, internal fertilisation theory) and so are less motivated to invest heavily in children.
- So, men will seek general signs of youth (bright eyes, rosy cheeks) as well as specific signs of fertility (large breasts).
strength 1
Convincing evidence for the role of sexual selection in partner preferences comes from Buss who, in a cross-cultural study of 10,000 participants across 33 countries, found men sought physically attractive and younger women whilst women looked for a male’s financial capacity by seeking financial success or ambition.
This shows that due to a woman’s limited reproductive opportunities, they choose a partner that can provide for her and her offspring whilst men, due to their many reproductive opportunities, choose a partner whose youth and fertility will best lead to reproduction.
strength 2
Buss and Schmitt asked males and females how many sexual partners they would like in the future and found men sought 18 partners whilst women sought 5 in their lifetime.
This shows due to a man’s many reproductive opportunities, the best way to pass this selfish gene is by having numerous mates to increase offspring.
However, due to a woman’s limited reproductive opportunities, the best way for her to pass her selfish gene is to choose a partner that can provide for her and offspring in the long-term.
strength 3
Gross and Singh found, across many cultures, women reported a male shoulder to waist ratio of 0.85-0.9 (V-shape) was most attractive whereas men reported a ratio of 0.7 (hourglass figure) was most attractive.
This shows men prefer a partner who displays features which are most likely to increase chances of bearing a child (large breasts and childbearing hips) whilst women prefer a partner who displays their ability to protect and provide (muscular).
As this was found regardless of culture, it adds further evidence that these behaviours have evolved in humans rather than learnt.
limit
A general limitation of studies in partner preferences is that they can be considered biologically determinist, which is when a theory suggests that our free choices are limited by internal biological factors.
This is because evolutionary explanations suggest human reproductive behaviour is constrained by evolved, genetic characteristics which we have no control over.
This limits our free will and ability to choose not to have children, therefore, not explaining homosexuality in humans.
The theory would predict that homosexuals have no need to form relationships as they cannot reproduce however, homosexual relationships are common in modern society.
