evolutionary explanations for partner preferences

• what does the theory of sexual selection state?

  evolution is driven by competition for mates, development of characteristics that ensure reproductive success increases chances of finding a mate
• what is meant by intrasexual selection?

  • when individuals of the same sex must outcompete each other in order to gain access to members of the other sex
  • successful individuals mate and pass on advantageous genes for reproductive success
  • losers don't get to pass on their genes
  • characteristics that lead to reproductive success become more widespread in the gene pool
• what are the three key main aspects of the nature of sexual selection?

  • intrasexual selection
  • intersexual selection
  • long term mate preferenecs
• what is intersexual selection?

  • when members of one sex evolve preferences for desirable qualities in potential mates
  • members of the opposite sex who posses these characteristics have immediate advantage over those who don't. so these preferences will determine the areas wherein there'll be competition
• what are the general principles of long-term mate preferences?

  • it's beneficial to choose your mates carefully, as the genetic quality of a mate will determine half the genetic quality of offspring
  • attractive and healthy mates are more likely to produce healthy and attractive children, vice versa for unhealthy unattractive mates
  • if mates are attractive then offspring will be of a higher quality and the genes are more likely to be passed on
• what do females typically look for in a man?

  • able to invest resources in her and her kids
  • physically protect her and her kids
  • promise as a good parent
  • sufficiently compatible
• what do males look for in females?

  • fertility
• describe the procedure of Buss' study into long term mate preferences

  • 10,000 people from 37 different cultures
  • participants asked to rate 18 different characteristics on how important they would be in choosing a mate
  • four point scale used rating from 3, indispensable to 0, irrelevant
• describe the findings of Buss' study into long term mate preferences

  main results were the following:

  • resources- women more than men desired people who had good financial prospects
  • physical attractiveness- men placed more importance on this than women
  • youth- males more interested in youth, shows they valued fertility
  • other important characteristics- both sexes wanted intelligent (linked to skilled parenting) and kind mates, links to interest in long term relationships
• evaluation of evolutionary explanations for partner preferences?

  • ☹️ cultural traditions rather than evolutionary forces- Kasser and Sharma- analysis of 37 cultures showed women preferred resourceful men from cultures where women were limited in power. Social and economic factors may cause differences in partner preferences rather than evolution.
  • ☹️ doesn't explain homosexuality- this theory can't account for sexual sexual selection within sexes and the desire to reproduce. In Buss' study, males preferred females who were fertile, can't be said for gay people- lacks universality.
  • 😊 evidence for sexual selection- traits with sexual not survival purpose. Nettle and Clegg- compared male British poets and artists to males in non-creative professions, creative people have more sexual partners than non creative people
  • 😊 evidence for universal sex preferences- Buss' study