Evolutionary explanations Flashcards
(6 cards)
Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences
According to evolutionary psychology both males and females choose partners in order to maximise their chances of reproductive success.
Traits that increase reproductive success (e.g. strength, aggression etc.) have evolutionary advantages. Individuals with these traits are more likely to survive and reproduce to pass on their genes.
Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour
Males have gametes (sperm cells) which are plentiful, require little energy to produce, and are produced throughout the course of the males life from puberty till death
Female’s gametes (eggs) are much less plentiful, require lots of energy and time to produce, and are produced during a limited time span (puberty till menopause)
This difference is called anisogamy and it means that men and women use different strategies to ensure reproductive success.
Intrasexual selection
when an individual’s traits enables them to compete with members of the same sex.
Anisogamy suggests that a male’s best evolutionary strategy is to be promiscuous (have as many partners as possible). Males must compete with other males to present themselves as the most attractive mate to fertile female partners.
Males might engage in mate guarding where they guard their female partner to prevent them mating with anyone else. Males are very fearful of having to raise another man’s child, this is called cuckoldry.
Intersexual selection
when an individual’s traits increase their attractiveness and induce members of the opposite sex to mate with them.
Females choose males who are strong and can provide
resources. Males choose females who look youthful as a sign of fertility.
Anisogamy suggests that a women’s best evolutionary strategy is to be selective when choosing a partner. Females will tend to seek a male who displays characteristics of physical health, high status, and resources so male partner is able to protect them and provide for their children. In modern society, this is more likely to relate to occupation, social class and wealth compared to physical strength in our evolutionary past.
According to the Sexy Sons Hypothesis females select male partners with desirable traits because they would like their sons to inherit these attractive traits.
Evolutionary explanations eval (+)
+ Buss (1989) conducted a survey of over 10,000 adults in 33 countries and found that females reported valuing resource-based characteristics (such as occupation) whilst men valued good looks and preferred younger partners.
+ Clark and Hatfield (1989) conducted a study where male and female psychology students were asked to approach fellow students of the opposite sex at Florida State University and ask them for one of three things; to go on a date, to go back to their apartment, or to go to bed with them. About 50% of both men and women agreed to the date, but whilst 69% of men agreed to visit the apartment and 75% agreed to go to bed with them, only 6% of women agreed to go to the apartment and 0% accepted the more intimate offer.
Evolutionary explanations eval (-)
- The evolutionary approach is deterministic suggesting that we have little free-will in partner choice. However, everyday experience tells us we do have some control over our partner preferences
- Evolutionary approaches to mate preferences are socially sensitive because they promote sexist views regarding what are ‘natural’ male and female behaviours which do not apply to modern society. Women are now more career orientated and independent therefore will focus less on looking for resourceful partners. Additionally, the availability of contraception means that evolutionary pressures are less relevant.
- Evolutionary theory makes little attempt to explain other types of relationships, e.g. non-heterosexual relationships, and cultural variations in relationships which exist across the world, e.g. arranged marriages
