evolutionary explanations

• What is the focus of the evolutionary explanations for partner preferences in psychology?

  The relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour
• What does the evolutionary approach explain about human behaviour?

  It explains behaviour in terms of adaptiveness and reproductive success
• What are the two types of selection discussed in evolutionary explanations?

  Natural selection and sexual selection
• How does sexual selection influence human reproductive behaviour?

  It affects partner preferences and mating strategies
• What is anisogamy in the context of sexual selection?

  Differences between male and female sex cells
• How do male and female sex cells differ according to the concept of anisogamy?

  Males produce many sperm continuously, while females produce limited eggs with high energy costs
• Why might males adopt a strategy of mating with multiple partners?

  To increase the chances of passing on their genes
• What do females look for in a partner according to evolutionary explanations?

  Commitment and resources to ensure offspring survival
• What did Buss (1989) find regarding female partner preferences?


  Females place more importance on resource related characteristics
• What do males prefer in female partners according to Buss (1989)?


  Males prefer younger mates and value signs of reproductive ability
• Why do males experience more jealousy over sexual infidelity?

  Because it could result in raising another male's child
• What type of selection is referred to as 'female choice'?

  Inter sexual selection
• What is the main strategy for females in mate selection according to inter-sexual selection?

  Females prefer quality over quantity in sexual partners
• What did Clark and Hatfield (1989) demonstrate about gender differences in mate selection?


  Marked differences in acceptance of sexual propositions between genders
• What does intra-sexual selection refer to?

  The competition among males for access to female mates
• How does physical dimorphism relate to sexual selection?

  It explains differences in body size and appearance between males and females
• What do males prioritize in their mating strategy according to anisogamy?

  Quantity over quality in mating
• What do males look for in female partners according to Buss (1989)?


  Males look for signs of fertility, such as attractiveness and youth
• What waist-to-hip ratio do men find attractive according to Singh (1993, 2002)?

  A ratio of approximately 0.7
• How do women describe themselves in 'lonely hearts' columns according to Waynforth and Dunbar (1995)?


  In terms of physical attractiveness and youth
• What do Kasser and Sharma (1999) suggest about women's mate preferences in different cultures?


  Women value resources more in cultures with limited access to education and work
• What methodological weaknesses exist in research supporting evolutionary explanations?

  Studies often use undergraduate students, limiting generalisability. As women studying have high aspirations, they will be less interested in looking for a man with resources
• What does the retrospective approach in evolutionary research imply?

  It relies on speculation about past adaptive behaviours
• How do female mate preferences change across the menstrual cycle according to Penton-Voak et al. (1999)?

  Females prefer masculine features during fertile periods and feminized features for long-term mates
• What are the key components of the evolutionary explanations for partner preferences?

  • Evolutionary approach focuses on adaptiveness and reproductive success
  • Sexual selection influences human reproductive behaviour
  • Anisogamy explains differences in male and female reproductive strategies
  • Inter sexual selection emphasizes female choice
  • Intra sexual selection highlights male competition
• What are the limitations of evolutionary explanations for partner preferences?

  • Ignores social and cultural changes affecting mate choice
  • Methodological weaknesses in research samples
  • Retrospective approach lacks reliable validation
  • Mate choice may be influenced by more than evolutionary factors
• Buss (1989) 


  Conducted study on over 1000 adults in 33 countries

  Found that females wanted resources, intelligence and finance

  Males wanted signs of fertility such as being younger
• Natural selection


  a characteristic that will help offspring survive
• Sexual selection


  a characteristic that will help attract a mate
• Clark and Hatfield (1989) 


  Asked male and female uni students to approach opposite sex students and ask one of three questions:

  go on a date with me - 50 % of females said yes, 50 % of males said yes

  come back to my apartment - 6 % of females said yes, 69 % of males said yes

  go to bed with me tonight - 0 % of females said yes, 75 % of males said yes