Evolutionary explanations for partner preferences

Question 1

Define the term ‘evolutionary explanations’

Answer 1

• focus on the adaptive nature of behaviour, i.e. modern behaviours are believed to have evolved because they solved challenges faced by our distant ancestors so became more widespread in the gene pool

Question 2

Define the term sexual selection

Answer 2

• A key part of Darwin’s theory explaining how evolution is driven by competition for mates, and the development of characteristics that ensure reproductive success.

Question 3

Describe the power of sexual selection

Answer 3

• sexual selection is important for future generations
• individuals who manage to mate pass on their genes to their children, who pass on their genes to their children etc.
• We are all a result of sexual selection, when our ancestors either outcompeted other individuals or possessed the right characteristics for selection as a mate.

Question 4

What is meant by intrasexual selection?

Answer 4

• individuals of one sex (usually males) must outcompete members of their sex in order to gain access to members of the other sex.
• successful = mate and pass on their genes
• characteristics like greater size and strength and cunning etc becomes more widespread in the gene pool by virtue of the reproductive advantage this gives to the winners

Question 5

What is meant by intersexual selection?

Answer 5

• members of one sex have preferences for desirable qualities in potential mates.
• members of the opposite sex who posses these characteristics (attractiveness, status, resources) will then gain a mating advantage

Question 6

What is the rationale behind sexual selection?

Answer 6

random mating is essentially stupid mating - it pays to be choosy for a mate and their qualities will be in your offspring so best to choose high quality mates.

Question 7

What are females most attracted to according to Buss?

Answer 7

1) males who can invest in her and child
2) can physically protect her and her child
3) show good promise as a parent
4) has minimal costs to her and her child

Question 8

What are males most attracted to in females and why?

Answer 8

Attractive females - as this displays signs of fertility, and indication of their reproductive value.

Question 9

Outline the procedure of Buss’s study (1989)

Answer 9

• over 10k participants from 37 different cultures
• were asked to rate each of 18 characteristics (attractiveness, good financial prospect) on a 4 point scale of how important they are in choosing a mate.

Question 10

Outline the findings of Buss’s study (1989)

Answer 10

1) Resources = women>men
2) Physical attractiveness = men>women
3) Youth = men>women - an indication that men valued increased fertility in potential mates
4) Other important characteristics = Both sexes wanted mates who were intelligent (linked to skill at parenting) and kind (linked to an interest in long-term relationships).

Question 11

AO3

Are gender differences in mate preferences a result of cultural differences?

Answer 11

P: Bernstein (2015) - gender differences in mate preferences = cultural rather than evolved characteristics
E: Women have been denied economic and political power = why they rely on security and economic resources provided by men. An analysis of 37 different cultures - where women valued mens resources were in cultures where women status and educational opportunities were limited.
E: Although findings like Buss show evidence of evolutionary forces at work in mate selection, we shouldn’t underestimate the role of social and economic factors in establishing mate preferences

Question 12

AO3

Are female preferences for high status man universal?

Answer 12

P: Buller (2005) - evolutionary psychologists are mistaken in their claims of a universal female preference for high status men
E: studies of female mate preferences - undergraduate students who expect to achieve high educational status and income - they may just want a man with similar interests, education and prospects to their own
E: As a result, Buller concludes that the evidence for universal female mating preference for high-status men is weak or non-existent.

Question 13

AO3

Is there validity issues with Buss’s study of mate choice?

Answer 13

P: Buss study on mate choice may have validity issues - just expressed preferences rather than being a reflection of what actually happens in real life.
E: However, many real life studies do support mate-choice hypotheses. For example, a study of actual marriages in 29 different cultures = men do choose younger women.
E: Also, some critics suggest that questionnaires such as the ones used in Buss’s study are more valid measures of partner preference than real life marriage statistics, particularly in cultures where arranged marriage is the norm

Question 14

AO3

How does the menstrual cycle affect mate choice in women?

Answer 14

P: Research , Penton-Voak et al = female mate choice varies across the menstrual cycle.
E: feminised version of a male face as ‘most attractive’ for a long term relationship - suggests kindness and cooperation in parental care. Short term relationships, during high conception risk phase of menstrual cycle, the preferred face = masculine. This suggests possible genetic benefits in producing masculine offspring
E: However, a more recent meta analysis of 58 studies was largely non-supportive of Penton-Voak’s study, specifically the claim of a preference for masculine males when women were at their most fertile.

Question 15

AO3

Are there human traits that serve no survival purpose that evolved purely as a result of sexual selection?

Answer 15

P: Yes
E: A preference for highly creative partners has been a characteristic of mate choice throughout evolutionary history.
Nettle and Clegg (2006) compared a sample of contemporary British poets and artists and a control group of males in the non- creative professions. Creative professions = more sexual partners, and the amount of their creative output was positively correlated with the number of sexual partners
E: This suggests that females are motivated to choose creative males because of the potential adaptive value of creativity and ingenuity that would be passed on to their offspring