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22 Cards in this Set
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- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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Definition Of Sexual Selection(SS): |
Sexual Selection: Process of natural selection & key factor underpinning human reproductive behaviour(HRB). Suggests evolution is driven by competition for mates. |
NS & Key Factor |
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Sexual Selection (SS) Suggests...
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-Evolution driven by compet. for mates & develop. of characteristics → reproductive success
-Evolution of character. give reproductive advant. rather than survival advant. -Individs. survival not at stake but instead ability to leave more descend.
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Evolution driven by ... Evolution of characteristics Reproductive Success Reproductive advantage/ Survival adnvantage |
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Reproductive Success: |
-Production of healthy offspring, survive maturity -Have characteristics required to attract a mate & reproduce themselves |
-healthy offspring -with passed on characteristics |
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Theory of Sexual Selection(SS) Proposes...
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-Random mating is not adaptive
-Low quality mate (unattractive/unhealthy) → poor quality offspring & reduces chance of successful mating
-"Joining Forces" with an attractive, high quality mate, individs. genes more likely to be passed on |
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Sexual Selection (SS) Continued...
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-Individs. able to outcompete rivals→ pass on genes to future genera.
-Those outcompeted/undesirable charact. are unable to mate die out
This shows the powerful influence SS has on human reproductive behaviour |
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Intrasexual Selection:
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-Same sex contest
-Individs try to outcompete each other → gain access to mates
-Charact. enable them to do this e.g. greater strength & cunning genetically passed on to future genera.
-Male Strategy- aggression -Females are passive in this proccess
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Intersexual Selection:
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-One sex is competing for the attention of opposite sex
-Individs. evolve preferences for desira. quali. in opposite sex
-Those possess qualities (resources, attractiveness, status) have a mating advant. over...
- Females are active in this process |
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Sexual Selection & Long Term Mate Preference
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Anisogamy : Differences between male & female sex cells (gametes). Differences lead to partic. character. being sought that indicate: -good genes -ability to produce healthy offspring -successful reproduction by males & females in the mate selection process |
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Anisogamy:
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Male gametes; sperm: -numerous -highly mobile -replenished -no shortage of fertile males Female gametes; Ova: -large -static -limited -fertile females are rare resources |
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Sexual Selection of Long Term Mate Preferences Females: |
Maximise chance of genes surviving by : -choosing mate carefully -lower reproductive capacity -higher parental investment -fixed number of eggs -reproductive window 25-30yrs -brief fertility window 1 a month, preg. for 9 months Higher Reproductive Value |
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Females Continued |
-Rely on external resources -Need a mate willing to provide resources for her & offspring Attracted to males with characteristics that show social and economic advantages → valuable resources Prefer men: -humorous & kind→ willingness to share & good parenting - stay around & raise human infants easier with 2 parents |
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Sexual Selection and Long Term Mates Preference Males: |
maximise chance of genes surviving by: - choosing an appropriate mate -higher reproductive capacity -lower parental investment (sperm replenished) - no monthly fertility window & fertile for more years than... |
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Males Continued
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Paternity uncertainty ( males nt sure infant is theirs) - look for cues of sexual faithfulness in partners -to avoid being cuckolded (cheated on) Male seek indicators that the potential mate is fertile & and has a high reproductive value Strng indicators: -youth -attractiveness -physical appeareance E.G Singh found good : -fertility -health & avoidance of serious health conditions strong correlates with hip-2-waist ratio of 0.7 |
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Sexual Selection and Long Term Mate Preferences Male and Female: |
Seek sexual partners that will produce healthy children health & robust genetics: -symmetry -athleticism -good teeth -clear complexion |
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Research Studies: Buss (1989) Procedure |
Procedure: -10,000 partici. -37 cultures -rate each /18 characteristics e.g (physical attractiveness, good financial prospects) How important it would be choosing a along term mate -Four point scale... 0 → Irrelevant 3→ Indispensable |
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Research Studies: Buss (1989) Findings & Conclusions |
-Women preferred mates with good financial prospects (more than men) reflects desire for men wth resources -Men importance on physical attractiveness & universally younger mate than emphasis on signals of health & fertility -Both wanted ~ intelligence (parenting skills) ~ kindness (interest in long term relationship & willingness to share) in potential mates |
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Research Studies: Dunbar & Waynforth (1995) Procedure |
Procedure: -900 Lonely Hearts ads from 4 USA newspapers - Sorted→Age bands & scored on how frequently talk about ~Physical attract. ~Wealth & status ~Family commit. ~Tolera. of children ~ Age requirem. |
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Research Studies: Dunbar and Waynforth (1995) Findings & Conclusions |
42% men - 25% women ( sought younger mate) 44% men - 22% women (sought physical attract.) Suggests... -Men place importance on seeking characteristics that indicate health & fertility -Women know these ae main charact. e.g advertise themselves in terms of physical attractiveness - Men highlight economic status & hw much earned suggests men are aware women seek other characteristics |
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Evaluation: Nature / Nurture in Partner Preference (Limitation) |
-Argued gender differences not due to sexual selection ( nature) ~but due to socialisation and culture (nurture) - Bernstein argues in many societies women denied economic & political power = tendency to rely on security & resources from men - Supported by Kasser & Sharma found women in cultures where status & educational opportunities are low... - valued resources in potent. mate> women with greater educational & financial freedoms - However Chang et al (25 yr study - partner pref in China) ~ huge social change Some pref. changed others remained -Indicates mate pref. is mixture of evolutionary and cultural influences & any theory fails to account for integration of nature & nurture is limited |
sexual selection / socialisation and culture Bernstein - women denied... → tendency to rely on security & resources Kasser & Sharma - women in low status & econom. power valued resources more Chang (China huge social change→ Nature & Nurture) |
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Evaluation: Research Support for Anisogamy (Strength) |
- Evidence anisogamy may underpin mate selection in mod. day weste. society in comparative educ. & and financial equality from Clarke & Hatfield. - Found when male / female approached by strange of opp. sex with invitation to go to bed them that night, 75% men said agreed, 0 women did. - Even in society female can access own resources & contraception → sexual permissiveness, females still choosy & males less selective showing human reproductive behaviour driven by instinctive evolutionary pressures |
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Evaluation: Issues with Population Validity (LIMITATION) |
- Evolutionary psychologists are mistaken & draw incorrect conclu. from research. -E.g Buller claims major. of studies to determine female mate prefere. carried use female undergrads. Expect status themselves through educat &income = prefer high satus & resourced men ∴instead of evolution seek male with simila. interests, educ, & prospects. Claims evidence for universal female mate prefer for high-status men is weak/non existent |
Studies on female undergrads Expect to be... Not evolution, seek male with similar... Universal female mating prefer. weak/ non existeny |
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Mate Choice & Menstrual Cycle (STRENGTH) |
mate preference varies during menstr. cycle -found ovulating women were attracted to masculine face however preferred more feminised version of male face rest of time -use mixed mating strategy -female choose main male partner (feminised appearance) = kindness & parent. care but may copulate (sex) with more masculine (testosterone & strong immune) when likely to get pregnant. - |
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