Evolutionary explanation

• Intersexual selection

  Strategy one gender uses to select a member of the opposite gender

  Determines area for sex to compete in

  Preferred strategy by women
• Travis (1972)

  Both sexed are choosy as they stand to lose

  Consequences for women is higher
• Intrasexual selection

  Members of one gender competing with each other to be the one chosen

  Preferred strategy by men
• Anisogamy

  Sperm is produced continuously

  Eggs are produced less often and in a limited window
• Buss (1989) study

  To find what we look for in long term partner

  10,000 people from 37 cultures rate characteristics on importance
• Buss (1989) findings

  Females valued wealth the most

  Males valued health and physical attractiveness