Evolutionary explanations for partner preference

• What is a weakness of evolutionary explanations regarding partner preferences?

  Cultural traditions and social factors may be equally important.
• How did Kasser and Sharma's findings illustrate the importance of cultural context in mate preferences?

  Women valued potential mates’ access to resources more in cultures with limited status and educational opportunities.
• Why might gender differences in mate preference patterns arise according to the study?

  They might stem from cultural traditions rather than evolved characteristics.
• What is the implication of women relying on men for security and economic resources?

  It suggests that cultural factors can shape mate preferences significantly.
• What role do social and economic factors play in mate preference patterns?

  • They significantly influence partner preferences.
  • They can overshadow evolutionary explanations.
  • Cultural context is crucial in understanding these preferences.
• What is a strength of the evolutionary explanations for partner preferences?

  There is support from research conducted on real couples.
• What did Buss's study involve regarding marriages?

  He looked at actual marriages in 29 cultures.
• What did Buss's research confirm about men's partner preferences?

  Men do choose younger women.
• Why is Buss's research significant in addressing criticisms of his earlier studies?

  It shows that real-life studies support the theory of partner preferences.
• What is a concern regarding arranged marriages in the context of Buss's research?

  Some marriages are arranged, which may affect the validity of the findings.
• What criticism do some critics have regarding Buss's questionnaires?

  They argue that questionnaires are more valid than real-life marriage statistics.
• What conclusion can be drawn about the reliability of research findings on evolutionary explanations for partner preferences?

  • Research findings are consistent and reliable.
  • They are supported by studies on real couples.
  • They address criticisms of earlier research.
• What is a weakness of evolutionary explanations regarding mate choice?

  Mate choice may not be constant and varies across the menstrual cycle
• What did Penton-Voak et al. find about female partner preferences during their fertile period?

  Females preferred partners with strongly expressed masculine features during their fertile period
• How did female partner preferences change for long-term relationships according to Penton-Voak et al.?

  Females showed more preference for partners with slightly feminised features as long-term mates
• Why is masculine appearance considered advantageous in mate selection?

  It suggests a healthier immune system, beneficial for offspring
• What do slightly feminine features suggest in a long-term partner?

  They suggest kindness and parental cooperation, which are desirable traits
• What conclusion can be drawn about partner choice based on the information provided?

  Partner choice is more complex than previously explained
• What did the meta-analysis by Wood et al. (2014) reveal about mate preferences?

  It was largely non-supportive of Penton-Voak’s claim
• What implication does Wood et al.'s research have on the understanding of mate preferences across the menstrual cycle?

  It suggests that mate preferences may not change across the cycle
• What is the significance of the complexity of partner choice in evolutionary explanations?

  It highlights that mate selection is influenced by various factors beyond simple evolutionary traits
• What issue is raised regarding evolutionary explanations of mate preference?

  It exaggerates the differences in what males and females look for in a partner.
• What did Buss find regarding women's preferences in mates compared to men's?

  Women desired mates who were good financial prospects, while men valued physical attractiveness and youth.
• Why is it significant that differences in mate preferences may be overstated?

  It suggests that males and females may actually seek similar characteristics like loyalty and kindness.
• What is the implication of researchers focusing on clear differences in mate preferences?

  It may lead to overlooking important similarities such as loyalty and kindness.
• What is alpha bias in the context of evolutionary explanations of mate preferences?

  • Alpha bias refers to exaggerating differences between genders.
  • In mate preference research, it leads to an overemphasis on differences in what males and females seek.