Relationships

• Who coined the term "sexual selection"?

  Darwin
• What is the main idea behind sexual selection?


  Attributes or behaviors that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over time
• How does aggression relate to sexual selection in males?


  Aggression allows males to win reproductive rights over their competition
• What does anisogamy refer to?


  The differences between male and female sex cells (gametes)
• What are the characteristics of female gametes?


  Large, static, limited years of fertility, huge investment in time/energy
• What are the characteristics of male gametes?


  Small, extremely mobile, infinite supply, little expenditure of time/energy
• What are the two types of sexual selection?


  • Intersexual selection: between the sexes, what one looks for in the other
  • Intrasexual selection: within each sex, how members of the same sex compete to mate with the opposite sex
• What is the preferred mating strategy for females in intersexual selection?


  Quality over quantity
• According to Trivers (1972), why do females hold greater importance in partner selection?


  Because making the wrong choice in partner is more serious due to their fertility window
• What is the "sexy sons" hypothesis proposed by Fisher (1930)?


  Women select men with traits that their sons will inherit and pass on
• What do males typically look for in a partner?

  • 0.7 waist to hip ratio
  • Baby-like face
  • Fertility
  • Good complexion
  • Good hair
  • Full lips
• What do females typically look for in a partner?

  • Tall
  • Strong
  • Caring
  • Money
  • Support/protection
• What does intrasexual selection refer to?


  The competition between males to mate with a female
• How does intrasexual selection influence male behavior?


  Men need to be bigger and stronger to have an advantage in mating
• What is the result of intrasexual selection on male and female appearance?


  It has given rise to dimorphism, where men and women look different from each other
• What cultural factors can influence partner preferences?

  Countries limiting the number of children, changes in women's roles, and availability of contraception
• What did Buss (1989) find regarding sexual selection preferences?


  Females place more importance on resource-related characteristics, while males value attractiveness and youth
• What was the aim of Clark and Hartfield's (1989) study?


  To investigate how men and women respond to attractive strangers' propositions
• What percentage of males agreed to have sex in Clark and Hartfield's study?


  75%
• What percentage of females agreed to have sex in Clark and Hartfield's study?


  0%
• What conclusion can be drawn from Clark and Hartfield's study?


  Women prefer quality over quantity, while men prefer quantity over quality
• What is a counterpoint to Clark and Hartfield's findings?


  The study is too simplified and does not consider relationship seriousness
• How do social and cultural factors affect partner preferences?


  Women being more independent and working means they are less dependent on men
• What does the self-disclosure theory suggest about relationships?


  Revealing information about ourselves increases attraction and intimacy
• What is social penetration theory?


  • Gradual process of revealing inner self
  • Starts at a basic level and becomes more personal
  • Heightens trust through reciprocal disclosures
• What is depenetration in relationships?


  When a partner loses interest and discloses less information
• What is reciprocity of self-disclosure according to Reis and Shaver (1988)?


  Self-disclosure needs to be reciprocated for intimacy to increase
• What did Sprecher and Hendrick (2004) find about self-disclosure?


  There are strong correlations between satisfaction and self-disclosure in heterosexual couples
• What is a limitation of the research on self-disclosure?


  It is correlational, making it unclear if self-disclosure causes satisfaction
• What did Haas and Stafford (1998) find regarding self-disclosure in homosexual relationships?


  57% said self-disclosure was the main way to maintain/deepen relationships
• How do cultural differences affect self-disclosure?


  Increased self-disclosure does not lead to greater satisfaction in all cultures
• What did Tang et al (2012) find about sexual self-disclosures in different cultures?


  People in the US self-disclosed more than those in China, but satisfaction scores were similar
• What does the theory suggest about non-disclosures in relationships?


  Non-disclosures are associated with dissatisfaction and can lead to breakdown
• What are the factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships?

  • Physical attractiveness
  • Self-disclosure
  • Social penetration theory
  • Filter theory
• Why is physical attractiveness important in forming relationships?


  It is linked to sexual selection and indicates genetic fitness
• What is the halo effect?


  • Attractive people are rated more positively on various traits
  • Creates a self-fulfilling prophecy in social interactions
• What did Walster and Walster (1969) propose in the matching hypothesis?


  We look for partners who are similar to us in physical attractiveness
• What was the outcome of the computer dance study regarding the matching hypothesis?


  The hypothesis was not supported; most liked partners were the most attractive
• What did Berscheid et al (1971) find in their replication of the computer dance study?


  Participants chose partners who matched them in physical attractiveness
• What did Palmer and Peterson (2012) find regarding the halo effect?


  Physically attractive people were rated as more politically knowledgeable and competent