Workman Reader Ch. 4 Flashcards
comparative method
Comparing different
species in order to add to our knowledge of anatomy, physiology or behaviour
common ancestor
Where behavioural patterns are similar it may suggest
that the responses are ancient and might be traced back to a common ancestor
frugivorous
fruit-eating
mate
guarding.
following a female around and mating with her intermittently
during her fertile period, while simultaneously chasing off other potential subordinate suitors
provisioning
hypothesis
Although
the provisioning hypothesis combines elements of both earlier theories, it
is the hunting and meat-eating parts of the equation that it relies on most
heavily. It is certainly true that in today’s foraging societies, hunting is
largely a male preserve and the gathering of plant foods is largely a
female concern
hominids
early human-like ancestors
polygynous
where males have more than one
mate
male parental investment
long-lasting pair bonds with male partners who were
prepared to help provide for the offspring
cryptic oestrus
by concealing
their period of oestrus (which they call ‘cryptic oestrus’) women may have
made men attentive to them continually, since only in this way would males be
able to ensure that they father a partner’s offspring
sexual dimorphism
the degree to which the sexes differ
in physical characteristics
polyandry
where one female
monopolises a number of males
arbitrary culture theory
differences in chastity and in sexual permissiveness in general in terms of random differences between cultures, which
may suggest that it is free from evolutionary influences
sperm competition
those able to produce the largest quantities
of sperm are most likely to inseminate a female and thereby pass on their genes
resource extraction
female chimps and baboons will sometimes
exchange sex for food
sexy sons
may be of benefit if such women pass on these attractive features to their sons
who would then have improved chances of attracting women
