Sexual Selection

• What are the stages of a relationship?

  • Formation
  • Maintenance
  • Dissolution
• What are the factors affecting attraction in romantic relationships?

  Self-disclosure and physical attractiveness
• What is the matching hypothesis in attraction?

  Attraction based on perceived physical similarity
• What does filter theory include in terms of attraction?

  Social demography and similarity in attitudes
• What are the theories of romantic relationships mentioned in the lecture?

  Social exchange theory and equity theory
• What is Duck’s phase model of relationship breakdown?

  Intra-psychic, dyadic, social, grave dressing phases
• What is the focus of virtual relationships in social media?

  Self-disclosure and absence of gating
• What are parasocial relationships?

  One-sided relationships with celebrities or media figures
• What is the key assumption of evolutionary psychology?

  Behavior patterns evolved through natural selection
• How does sexual selection influence human reproductive behavior?

  It affects mate choice and reproductive success
• What is anisogamy?

  Differences between male and female gametes
• What is meant by nominal data?

  Data categorized without a numerical value
• What are the characteristics of sperm and eggs in anisogamy?

  Sperm are small and mobile; eggs are large
• What is one strength of inter-sexual selection?

  Evidence supporting female choosiness
• What is one finding from Van Ijzendoorn’s research?

  Attachment styles vary across cultures
• Why is a fertile female considered a rare resource?

  Fertile females are limited in number
• What did Buss (1989) survey about partner preference?

  Attributes important in partner preference
• What is the most objective definition of abnormality?

  Deviation from statistical norms
• What is intra-sexual selection?

  Competition among males for access to females
• What did Buss find regarding female partner preferences?

  Females value financial prospects more
• What is a neural explanation for criminal behaviour?

  Brain abnormalities influence criminal actions
• What is inter-sexual selection?

  Preferences of one sex for certain qualities
• What do Buss's findings reflect about partner preferences?

  Consistent sex differences in preferences
• What is the "Sexy Son Hypothesis"?

  Females prefer males with desirable traits
• What is anisogamy?

  Different types of gametes in reproduction
• What is a weakness of inter and intra-sexual selection theories?

  They may be too simplistic
• What is the cost of making the wrong mate choice for females?

  Investment of time and resources in offspring
• What do Buss & Schmitt (2016) argue about relationship length?

  It influences mating strategies
• What theory do Buss & Schmitt propose regarding mating strategies?

  Sexual strategies theory
• Categorize the following into inter and intra sexual selection: Large peacock’s tail, Increased male body size/strength, Large female breasts, Attraction to Richer males, Attraction to Younger females, Male aggression, Preference for older men, Preference for hip to waist ratio.

  • Intra-sexual selection:
  • Increased male body size/strength
  • Male aggression
  • Inter-sexual selection:
  • Large peacock’s tail
  • Large female breasts
  • Attraction to Richer males
  • Attraction to Younger females
  • Preference for older men
  • Preference for hip to waist ratio
• What context do Buss & Schmitt suggest needs consideration?

  Desired length of relationship
• What are the key assumptions of evolutionary psychology?

  Behavior patterns evolved through natural selection
• What characteristics indicate good resources in a mate?

  Economic security, education, interpersonal skills
• How do cultural factors influence partner preference?

  They develop faster than evolutionary changes
• What characteristics indicate good genes in a mate?

  Good health, facial symmetry, and skin quality
• What is the difference between sexual selection and natural selection?

  Sexual selection focuses on mate attraction
• What social change has influenced women's mate preferences?

  Increased workplace participation
• What characteristics indicate good parenting in a mate?

  Caring, affectionate, strong, protective traits
• How does anisogamy affect mate selection?

  It leads to different mating strategies
• What do Bereczkei et al (1997) argue about women's mate preferences?

  They may no longer be resource-oriented