Intra-sexual selection

• Intra-sexual selection= selection of mates within sexes (e.g. males competing with other males for mates)
• Mate strategy= quantity over quality
• Males do best if they reproduce as frequently as possible.
• Competition is necessary as females are a limited resource and are choosy
• Intra-sexual selection pressures lead to certain patterns of human reproductive behaviour:

  • Male aggression- the most aggressive males are more likely to reproduce
  • Male preference for youthful and fertile women because these are signs of fertility leading to reproductive success