L1 - Evolutionary Explanations

Question 1

What are partner preferences driven by?

Answer 1

Sexual selection

Question 2

What is sexual selection?

Answer 2

• Both sexes choose partners to maximise their chances of reproductive success
• Those with traits that maximise reproductive traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes

Question 3

What are the gametes and their energies?

Answer 3

Males: Sperm - reproduce quickly with little energy expenditure
Females: Ova - less plentiful with more energy to produce

Question 4

What is the difference called between the sexes’ gametes

Answer 4

Anisogamy

Question 5

What type of selection do the sexes undergo?

Answer 5

Males: intra-sexual selection
Females: inter-sexual selection

Question 6

What is Intra-Sexual selection?

Answer 6

• Members of one sex compete with another for access to the other sex
• Leads to male-female dimorphism (accentuation of secondary sexual characteristics in those with greater reproductive fitness)

Question 7

What is mate guarding?

Answer 7

• Males guard their female to prevent them mating with others
• Males do not want to raise another males child (cuckoldry)

Question 8

What is Inter-Sexual Selection

Answer 8

• Members of one sex choose from available prospective mates according to attractiveness

Question 9

What does Anisogamy suggest?

Answer 9

• Woman’s best evolutionary strategy is to be selective
• Females want men with good physical health, high status and resources so the man can protect and provide for their children

Question 10

Evaluation (+)

Answer 10

(+) A psychologist conducted a survey of 10000 adults in 33 countries and found females reported valuing resource based characteristics, whilst men valued good looks and preferred younger partners
(+) A psychologist conducted a study where male and female students were asked to go up to other students and ask for one of three things: a date, go to apartment, go to bed with them. 50% of both men and women agreed to the date. 69% of men agreed to the apartment and 75% agreed to bed them. Only 6% of women agreed to go to the apartment and 0% accepted the bed offer.

Question 11

Evaluation (-)

Answer 11

(-) Deterministic, saying we have little free will in partner choice. But everyday experience tells us we do have control
(-) Promotes tradition (sexist) views regarding natural behaviours that do not apply to modern society. Women are more independent so may not look for resources and contraception means evolutionary pressures are less relevant
(-) Little attempt to explain other relationships e.g non-heterosexual relationships, cultural variations in marriages like arranged marriages