Biological Approach

• What is the significance of a multidisciplinary approach in understanding personal relationships?


  It incorporates cognitive and sociocultural perspectives to comprehend the complexity of personal relationships.
• What theory has become popular in explaining human relationships and attraction?

  Evolutionary theory
• How does evolutionary theory explain human relationships?


  It suggests that behaviors are shaped by natural selection and adaptive mechanisms over time.
• What are some limitations of evolutionary theory in explaining human relationships?


  It assumes behaviors are inherited, overlooks cultural influences, and can be challenging to test empirically.
• What does parental investment theory explain?


  It explains the different mating strategies observed in males and females based on their investment in offspring.
• According to parental investment theory, who typically invests more in offspring?


  Females
• What mating strategy do males typically prioritize according to parental investment theory?


  Males often prioritize quantity of mates to maximize reproductive success.
• What mating strategy do females typically prioritize according to parental investment theory?


  Females tend to prioritize quality, seeking mates with good genes and resources.
• What was the main focus of Clark and Hatfield's 1989 study?


  It examined gender differences in responses to casual sexual encounter requests.
• What were the three questions asked in Clark and Hatfield's study?


  "Would you like to go out on a date with me?", "Would you like to come over to my apartment tonight?", "Would you like to go to bed with me tonight?"
• What did the results of Clark and Hatfield's study reveal about gender differences?


  Men were significantly more likely to agree to casual sex than women.
• How do the findings of Clark and Hatfield's study align with evolutionary predictions?


  They support the idea that males prioritize quantity in mating opportunities while females are more selective.
• What is a limitation of Clark and Hatfield's study regarding its focus?


  It may not represent all types of attraction or relationships.
• What cultural influence was observed in a similar study conducted in China?

  Men were less likely to agree to sexual requests compared to the findings in the US study.
• What does the parental investment theory suggest about the sex investing less in offspring?


  It suggests that this sex (typically males) will be more open to casual sexual encounters.
• What did lab studies using hypothetical scenarios reveal about gender differences in attraction?


  They showed smaller or non-existent gender differences, indicating perceived safety might influence responses.
• What is the focus of Wedekind's 1995 T-Shirt Study?


  It examines genetic compatibility in mate selection.
• How did Wedekind's study assess attractiveness?


  By having female participants smell and rate the attractiveness of t-shirts worn by male participants.
• What genetic factor was analyzed in Wedekind's study?


  The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes.
• What did the results of Wedekind's study reveal about women's preferences?


  Women found the scent of t-shirts worn by men with dissimilar MHC genes more attractive.
• What evolutionary prediction does Wedekind's study support?


  That females select mates based on genetic compatibility to enhance offspring survival.
• What methodological strength does Wedekind's study possess?


  The double-blind design minimizes bias and demand characteristics.
• What are some limitations of Wedekind's T-Shirt Study?


  It may be reductionist, focusing only on MHC genes and ignoring other factors like personality.
• What other aspects of attraction does Wedekind's study not explore?


  Personality or shared interests, which are integral to human relationships.