evolutionary explanations for partner preferences - sexual selection

Question 1

what is partner preference driven by
What does females (or males) look for?

Answer 1

sexual selection
traits that increase reproductive success e.g. height, wider hips.

Question 2

what happens when a couple receives these traits? leading to?

Answer 2

reproduce passing on the genes giving the offspring an evolutionary advantage; characteristics maximise survival

Question 3

partner preference evolves in a …………

p……

Answer 3

population

Question 4

what are some human reproductive strategies for men and women

Answer 4

male courtship, mate guarding

Female ‘sexy sons’ hypothesis (fisher) - ssexy trait passed onto son, son more likely to be selected, gene passes through generation/population

Question 5

inter-sexual selection

mainly female

Answer 5

intersexual selection – traits increase attractiveness and thereby induce members of the opposite sex
to mate with them, eg females choose to mate with males who are strong and can provide resources,tall;
males choose to mate with females who look youthful as a sign of fertility

Question 6

intra-sexual selection

mianly male

Answer 6

intra-sexual selection – traits enable competition with members of the same sex, eg strength enables
male to compete successfully for females

Question 7

ao3: research support for inter-sexual selection

CLARK and Hatfield

Answer 7

researchers sent male and female undergraduate students across uni campus - made them approach other students asking them to sleep with tonight. Not a single female student whom was asked agreed to the request whereas 75% of males did, immediately.
Supports the view that females are pickier/selective than males when it comes to selecting sexual partners and have specific needs.

(counterpoint) idea that one strategy is adpative for all males and all females is too simplistic. - e.g. sexual strategies thoery - men and women employ employ similar strategies when seeking long term relationships - both choosy, looking for partners whom are loyal for example - more complex view and more realistic strategy.

Question 8

ao3:research support for intra-sexual selection

David Buss

Answer 8

survey - 10,000 adults, 33 countrys
Asked about partner preference
Females placed greater emphasis on resource related characteristics; good financial ambition.
Males favoured physical attractiveness and youth
Supports the sexual selection theory increases the validity

Question 9

ao3: overlooks social (&cultural) change (or influence)

Answer 9

sexual selection is not as relevant to today’s society - changes in social attitudes and expectations has influenced mating choices that people now make.
for example, women now less dependent than previous generations as they have a greater role in the workplace, so male resources are less important.
Therefore sexual selection theory may be a limited explanation are partner preferences today take into account a combo of evolutionary and cultural influences