3.2 - Relationships (set A - Evolutionary Explanations For Partner Preference)

Question 1

What is sexual selection - give example?

Answer 1

View that there is competition between people of the same sex that affects the evolution of certain traits - ‘survival of the sexist’

• characteristic increases the individual’s chance of reproduction, this characteristic will be adaptive because that animals will have more offspring
• man would look for hourglass figure in woman which suggests fertility (been through puberty ext)

Question 2

Outline the type of sexual selection - intra-sexual selection?

Answer 2

Intra-sexual selection - (mate competition) where usually men compete with each other for females (traits enables male to compete successfully for females) as the investment for women is greater (need to get it right)

Study found that females invest considerably more than males as they can not afford to mate with anyone due to how long it will take (9 months +) males will fight amongst themselves to mate with females

Question 3

Outline the type of sexual selection - inter-sexual selection?

Answer 3

Mate choice - preference of one sex (females) for members of the opposite sex who posses certain qualities (height,looks,muscles ext) traits increase attractiveness and thereby induce members of the opposite sex to mate with them

• determines intra-sexual selection (what qualities men will compete with each other to achieve)
• study suggests that over time we would see an increase in these traits for example height (would increase over time) - called the runaway process

Question 4

What is anisogamy?

Answer 4

The differences between males and females reproductive cells - results in a difference in the level of investment in reproductive

• woman will release around 400 egg cells in life - man release millions of sperm (easy to produce)

Question 5

Outlien research into sexual jealousy?

Answer 5

Researched asked participants to imagine their partner having sex/being in love with someone else - they measured there stress responses

Found men were more stressed at idea of partner being sexually unfaithful (as it runs risk of her having offspring not his) women more stressed at idea of them being emotionally unfaithful (risked diversion of resources away from her and her family)

Question 6

Outline research support for inter-sexual selection - university campus study?

Answer 6

Male and female students sent out across university campus and approached other students individually and asked wether they would have sex with them tonight

• found not a single women agreed to the request but 75% of males agreed
• shows females are choosier than males when it comes to selecting sexual partners

Question 7

Outline research support by Waynforth and Dunbar - looking at what men and women look for in relationship and partner?

Answer 7

Studied lonely hearts advertisement in American newspapers (used to describe qualities they desired in a potential partner while cataloguing what they had to offer)

• found women generally tended to offer physical attractiveness (eg curvy, sexy) where as men offered resources more than women (ambitious,successful) and south relative youth and physical attractiveness

Question 8

Outline research by Buss involving a questionnaire on anisogamy?

Answer 8

Carried out survey of over 10,000 adults in 37 countries (33 cultures) - asked questions relating to variety of attributes that evolutionary theory predicts should be important in partner preference

• found females placed greater value on resource-related characteristics (eg good financial prospects)
• males valued reproductive capacity in terms of good looks and preferred younger mates (more than females)

Question 9

Outline strengths of sexual selection?

Answer 9

• scientific basis - founded on evolutionary theory an focuses specifically on human romantic relationships
• consistent with anisogamy - differences in male and female sex cells (women must use their gametes wisely, males have many gametes can be less choosy
• supporting evidence - university campus study + Dunbars study on lonely hearts advertisements + buss questionnaire

Question 10

Outline weaknesses of sexual selection theory?

Answer 10

• not as relevant in todays society - influence of changes in social attitudes and expectations - eg women now less dependent than previous generations (male resources less important)
• ignores same-sex relationships (theory doesn’t explain why we have the preferences in same sex relationships)
• cultural validity - some cultures practise arranged marriages which ignores desirable features ext

Question 11

Define self disclosure?

Answer 11

Demonstrated by revealing personal information about self to another person - information can be superficial (eg low risk information like work or more intimate like wishes/fears)

Can lead to great intimacy in romantic relationships - increases attractiveness and closeness by encouraging reciprocal disclosure

Question 12

Outline the social penetration theory?

Answer 12

As each person discloses more information to the other, they penetrate more into each others lives

• gradually reveal more personal information like emotions and experiences + listening to them, providing a greater understanding of each other
• if one person reveals to much early on it can reduce attraction, putting off the other person

Question 13

Explain Collins and millers belief on self disclosure?

Answer 13

• those who engage in ‘intimate disclosures’ are generally more liked than those who do not
• people disclose more to those they like in the first place
• the act of self-disclosure makes us like the person we are speaking to

Question 14

Outline research by Hass and Stafford into self disclosure within same sex relationships?

Answer 14

• found 55% of gay men and women said open and honest communication (self disclosure) deepened and helped maintain the relationship

Positive because it looks at same sex relationships suggesting it can also operate in the same way as heterosexual relationships

Question 15

Outline research into cultural variations surrounding self disclosure?

Answer 15

Research showed that in America men and women disclose feelings more openly than those in China

• suggests that the theory does not recognise that different cultures have different factors affecting attraction
• eg disclosure about some topics (eg sex) may be taboo and frowned upon - does not mean though that relationships wont work if not disclosed

Question 16

What is natural selection?

Answer 16

• species change over time and become increasingly better adapted to their environmental

Any characteristic that maximises individuals ability to survive and reproduce successfully are highly adaptive and are passed on to next generation

Question 17

Explain what and why males and females look for certain things in a partner?

Answer 17

Females choose to mate with males who possess qualities like height, aggression and can provide resources - beneficial for their offspring

Males will look for youthful and signs of fertility in women

women will be more discriminating than men because consequences of choosing unsuitable partner are greater

Question 18

What are the limitations of self disclosure theory - give 2?

Answer 18

• predictions of self-disclosure leading to more romantic relationships may not be applicable to all cultures as men and women within individualist countries (America) self-disclose more sexual thoughts than those in collectivist (china) - based on western romantic relationships (not generalisable)
• research is mainly correlational but a correlation does not mean there is a valid conclusion to be made (other factors contribute to relationship)

Question 19

What are the strengths of self disclosure theory - give 3?

Answer 19

• consistent with social penetration theory which suggests that for a relationship to develop, partners must keep disclosing personal information
• compatibility with filter theory - self disclosure enables assessment of similarity of attitudes and complementarity of needs
• supported by evidence which shows that too much, too early can be off-putting to potential partners - acceptability depends on stage of relationship and appropriateness of content