Evolutionary Explanations

• Sexual selection is a concept proposed by Charles Darwin. It refers to the different strategies used by males and females to enhance chances of reproductive success.
• The concept of sexual selection can be used to explain human reproductive behaviour such as mate choice and mate competition. It explains why some characteristics act as an advantage to human reproductive success; they are seen as attractive by the opposite sex.
• What are some characteristics that women look for in men?

  • Strength
  • Height
  • Symmetrical face
• What are some characteristics that men look for in women?

  • Large breasts
  • An hourglass body
  • Youthfulness
• Define the term anisogamy.

  Anisogamy refers to the differences in male/female sex cells which can be used to explain different strategies adopted by males and females for reproductive success.
• Using anisogamy explain why females are more selective than males.

  Females produce one egg per month for a limited number of fertile years. This means that they have limited reproductive opportunities. This may explain why females are more selective than males in choosing a sexual partner due to their limited reproductive abilities.
• Using anisogamy explain why males are less selective than females.

  Males have an unlimited production of sperm available meaning they are not hindered by limited reproductive resources. This may explain why males are typically more comfortable with having sex earlier in a relationship because they're not limited by reproductive abilities.
• What is intrasexual selection?

  This type of selection occurs between sexes, with females prioritizing quality over quantity due to higher reproductive investment. Females are more picky as the consequences of poor mate selection are more significant, female preferences drive the evolution of male traits, such as height, through generations via selective mating.
• What hypothesis explains how females selecting males with attractive traits perpetuates those traits throughout generations?

  This is Ronald Fisher's sexy sons hypothesis
• What is intersexual selection?

  This type of selection occurs within the same sex, typically involving male competition for access to females, favouring quantity over quality. Competitive males will pass on traits that contribute to their success, while "losing" traits are not inherited.
• How does the process of intersexual selection lead to dimorphism?

  As successful traits are passed on and unsuccessful ones aren't this leads to the process of dimorphism. This is where males and females exhibit different physical traits (e.g., larger males are favoured, while females prioritize fertility indicators like a low waist-to-hip ratio).  Behavioural traits like aggression, intelligence, and deceitfulness are selected in males to outcompete rivals and secure mates.
• Males also show distinct mating preferences that would involve casual sex. As part of a short-term mating strategy, sex would be sought as early as possible in the relationship to minimise the length of time between getting together and intercourse. This can explain why males are more likely to lower their standards prior to sex and then lose interest quickly after sex.