Evolutionary Explanations For Partner Preferences

Question 1

Define Sexual Selection.

Answer 1

A key part of Darwin’s evolutionary theory explaining the evolution of characteristics that provide a reproductive advantage.

Question 2

Define Anisogamy.

Answer 2

The differences between male and female gametes.

Question 3

List differences between male and female gametes.

Answer 3

• no limit to the amount of sperm a male can produce.
• not constrained by a reproductive term as women are.
• no shortage of fertile males but fertile females are of rare “resource.”

Question 4

Define Inter-sexual Selection.

Answer 4

Between the sexes: strategies that one sex use to select the other.

Question 5

What did Trivers (1972) suggest in relation to Intersexual Selection?

Answer 5

Woman prefer it as they have a greater investment in their offspring before and after birth, which could have bad consequences if she invests in a poor quality mate.

Question 6

Define Intra-sexual Selection.

Answer 6

Strategies within the sex to promote selection over competition.

Question 7

Explain Intra-sexual Selection.

Answer 7

• anisogamy dictates a males main goal is to mate with as many fertile women as a possible.
• causes a behavioural consequence which means they prefer and seek youth in women.

Question 8

Evaluating: What Did Buss (1989) Conclude?

Answer 8

• studied 10000people from 37 cultures.
• found women desired good financial prospects in a mate
• men preferred physically attractive mates
• both sexes wanted kindness and intelligence

Question 9

Evaluating: What were Waynforth and Dunbar’s (1995) findings?

Answer 9

• women listed physical features of themselves

- men boasted their resources

Question 10

Evaluating: Why did Buller criticise the evolutionary theory?

Answer 10

• female preference for high status males is weak or non-existent due to all studies conducted on partner preferences having used undergraduate females who clearly are already high status.

Question 11

Evaluating: What did Bernstein (2015) suggest about gender differences in presences?

Answer 11

They may be dude to cultural traditions imposed on them .