Evolutionary Explanations For Partner Preferences Flashcards
What did Darwin’s theory of evolution state about natural selection?
Natural selection influences the way that species change over time, becoming better adapted to their environment.
What increases an individual’s chances of being ‘naturally selected’?
Characteristics that maximise one’s ability to survive and reproduce successfully.
What is anisogamy?
The differences between the sex cells of males & females.
What is the difference (anisogamy) between male sex cells and female sex cells?
-Males have sperm cells, which can reproduce quickly with little energy expenditure (they don’t usually stop until the man dies).
-Females have ovaries, which are less plentiful with higher energy expenditure (they are released between puberty and menopause).
What is sexual selection?
A view that competition for mates between individuals of the same sex affects the evolution of certain traits.
What are the two types of sexual selection?
-Intra-Sexual Selection (male strategy).
-Intersexual Selection (female strategy).
What are features of intra-sexual selection?
-Males compete with each other for females.
-Winners get to mate - losers don’t pass on their genes.
-Traits that lead to success are passed on.
-Travers (1972): F invests more than M, so M will compete amongst themselves to mate with F.
What are features of intersexual selection?
-Quality over quantity.
-Females prefer males who possess certain qualities (e.g. height, muscles).
-They want a man who will remain by her side, protecting both her & the offspring.
-Females will be more discriminatory than men in sexual selection, as their consequences of having an unsuitable partner are greater than men.
What is dimorphism?
The differences in characteristics between males & females (e.g. shape, size).
How did Buss (1989) study sexual selection?
Surveyed 10,000 people in 37 countries:
- In all 37 samples: M & F preferred M to be older.
- In all 37 samples: M rated good looks higher than F.
- In 36/37 samples: F rated financial prospects higher than men did.
- Scandinavian countries found chastity irrelevant, while China, India & Indonesia see this as important.
How did Pawlowski (1999) study sexual selection?
Found that older women don’t disclose their true age in personal advertisements, as it correlates with fertility.
Evaluation points for evolutionary explanations for partner preferences:
• Reductionist: ignores social, cultural & moral influences on relationship behaviour.
• Biologically deterministic: ignores the idea that humans have the ability to think about their actions.
• Difficult to apply to non-heterosexual relationships.
