Evolutionary Explanations

Question 1

What is the evolutionary explanation of partner preferences

Answer 1

According to evolutionary psychology partner preferences are driven by SEXUAL SELECTION. Both males and females choose partners that maximise their chances of reproductive success. Individuals with traits that maximise reproductive success (strength, height, wide hips etc) are more likely to survive and pass on the genes responsible for their success.

Question 2

Why do males and females select their partners differently?

Answer 2

Male gametes (sperm cells) can be reproduced quickly with little energy expenditure.
Female gametes (eggs/ova) are much less plentiful and require energy to produce. This DIFFERENCE(anisogamy) IN REPRODUCTION means that males and females use different strategies to select a partner.
Generally males use intra sexual selection and females use inter sexual selection.

Question 3

Intersexual selection

Answer 3

Inter-sexual selection is where members of one sex (usually female) choose from available prospective mates (usually males)

Anisogamy suggests that a women’s best evolutionary strategy is being selective when choosing a partner. Females will tend to seek out males with characteristics that will suggest they are able to provide for their children (physical health, high status and resources). Although this ability may have equates d to muscular strength in our evolutionary past in modern society it is more likely to to relate to occupation, social class and wealth.

Question 4

Intra sexual selection

Answer 4

This is where members of one sex (usually male) compete with one another for access to the other sex. This leads to male female DIMORPHISM which is an accentuation of secondary sexual characteristics in those with greater reproductive fitness.

Anisogamy suggests that a males best strategy is to have as many partners as possible. Males must compete with other males to present themselves as the most attractive mate to fertile female partners.

Males might engage in male guarding preventing the female partner from mating with someone else. Males are apparently very fearful of having to raise another man’s child.

Question 5

Strengths of evolutionary exploration of partner preference

Answer 5

• ) Buss conducted a survey of over 10,000 adults in 33 countries and found females reported valuing resource based characteristics such as occupation while men valued good looks and younger partners.
• ) Clark and Hatfield conducted an infamous study where male and female psychology students were asked to approach fellow students of Florida state university (of the opposite sex). They then asked them for one of three things; to go on a date, to go back to their apartment, or to go to bed with the,. About 50% of both men and women agreed to the date, but while 69% of men agreed to visit the apartment and 75% agreed to go to bed with them only 6% of women agreed to go to the apartment and 0% accepted to go to bed.

Question 6

Weaknesses of evolutionary explanation

Answer 6

• ) the evolutionary approach is DETERMINISTIC suggesting that we have little free will in partner choice, however everyday experience tells us we do have some control over out partner preference
• )The evolutionary approach promotes sexist views regarding what are ‘natural’ male and female behaviours which do not apply to modern society. Women are now more career oriented and independent and will not need to look for resourceful partners as much as in the past and that availability of contraception means evolutionary pressures are less relevant.
• ) Evolutionary theory makes little attempt to explain other types of relationships (non heterosexual relationships) and cultural variations in relationships which exist across the world ie arranged marriages.