Evolutionary Explanations For Partner Preferences

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Who coined 'sexual selection'? What does sexual selection refer to?
Darwin. The process by which attributes/behaviours that increase reproductive success are passed on and even become exaggerated over succeeding generations of offspring
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Examples of desirable characteristics that indicate genetic fitness
Peacock's tail, strong jawline in men, woman's waist
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Example of a characteristic which gives males an advantage over competitors for reproductive rights
Aggressiveness
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Define: human reproductive behaviour
Behaviours we use to attract a mate or compete with others of the same sex for reproductive rights
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What is the main idea of the evolutionary explanation?
evolution favours the selection of features that are attractive to the opposite sex - these features make it more likely that the possessor will attract a mate and reproduce to pass on their genes
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Define anisogamy
differences between male and female sex cells (gametes). Sperm are small, highly mobile, created continuously, and don't require much energy for production. Ova are large, static, produced at intervals throughout fertile years, and require investment and
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What is the consequence of anisogamy?
no shortage of fertile males, but a fertile female is a rarer resource
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Define inter-sexual selection
quality over quantity - preferred strategy of females to select males
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What did Trivers point out about inter-sexual selection?
females make a greater investment of time, commitment, and other resources. The consequences of a wrong partner choice are more serious for a female, so she is especially selective. A female's optimum mating strategy is to select a genetically fit partner
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Who developed the **** sons hypothesis, and what is it?
Fisher. The genes we see today are those that enhanced reproductive success. The son inherits the **** trait of the father selected by the female, and is more likely to be selected by successive generations of females who will mate with him; thus, the sex
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Define intra-sexual selection
quantity over quality - preferred strategy of males; they compete to mate with as many females as possible
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Why are men sensitive to indicators of youth and fertility?
it suits their optimum mating strategy
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Evolutionary Explanations: AO3 - Research Support (Buss)
(S) Buss found that women respondents placed greater value on resource-related characteristics (eg good financial prospects) than men ... supports predictions of sexual selection
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Evolutionary Explanations: AO3 - Research Support (Clark and Hatfield)
(S) Clark and Hatfield found in response to the question "Would you go to bed with me tonight?" no females agreed, whereas 75% males agreed immediately ... supports anisogamy; women are choosier when selecting a sexual partner
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Evolutionary Explanations: AO3 - Problems With Research Support (Buller)
(W) The research uses college students. Buller argued that female undergrads expect to achieve and do well financially, so their preference for high status men may be due to similarity of prospects rather than simply the need to find a man who can provide
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Evolutionary Explanations: AO3 - Problems With Research Support (Strassberg)
(W) Strassberg found in his study on internet dating ads that the most popular female profiles were those advertising financial independence. This is contrary to EE's, for men are also attracted to women with resources
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Evolutionary Explanations: AO3 - EE's Ignore Cultural And Social Influences (Bereczekei)
(W) Bereczekei argued that social change has had consequences for female mate preference; no longer resource-orientated
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Evolutionary Explanations: AO3 - EE's Ignore Cultural And Social Influences (Kassa and Sharma)
(W) Kassa and Sharma found that women valued a man's access to resources more in cultures where women's status and educational opportunities were very limited. Mate preferences are thus an outcome of a combination of evolutionary and cultural/social influ
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Card 2

Front

Examples of desirable characteristics that indicate genetic fitness

Back

Peacock's tail, strong jawline in men, woman's waist

Card 3

Front

Example of a characteristic which gives males an advantage over competitors for reproductive rights

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Define: human reproductive behaviour

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is the main idea of the evolutionary explanation?

Back

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