Evolutionary explanations of partner preference

• > Darwins evolutionary explanation states that partner preference is driven by sexual selection which means male and females choose their partners in order to maximise reproductive success
• > Some physical characteristics such as muscular men, show a sign of genetic fitness that increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over future generations
• Anisogamy

  > Males and females are said to have different partner preferences and human reproductive behaviour due to anisogamy - the difference in male and female sex cells

  > Male gametes are created in vast numbers from puberty to old age, they are small and mobile and are continuously created

  > Female gametes are relatively large and are produced once a month for a limited number of fertile years
• Inter-sexual selection - between the sexes
• Intra-sexual selection - strategies between males
• Males

  > Demands - Males invest less biologically than females as they remain fertile and cannot be sure of paternity

  > Human reproductive behaviour - More likely to be promiscuous and prefer short term mating strategies

  > Inter-sexual selection - To ensure offspring has greater survival chances they seek a young, attractive and fertile female

  > Intra-sexual selection - Males are in competition with each other to access high quality females so may show physical aggression towards other males
• Females

  > Demands - Females invest more biologically than males as on average they are only fertile for 30 years but they can be sure of paternity

  > Human reproductive behaviour - Females are more likely to engage in long term mating and tend to be more choosy when looking for a mate

  > Inter-sexual selection - To ensure offspring have greater survival chances females are more choosy, seeking a more dominant male who provides resources

  > Intra-sexual selection - Whilst this is less common than with males, females are still in competition with other females to access a high quality male
• Evolutionary explanations AO3

  :) RTS conducted by Buss

  > Carried out a survey on over 10,000 participants from 33 countries and asked questions relating to a variety of attributes that evolutionary theory predicts are important in partner preferences

  > He found that males prefer youthful, physically attractive females whereas females prefer resources such as good finance

  > These findings reflect sex differences in sexual selection, therefore supporting predictions of partner preferences
• Evolutionary explanations AO3

  :) RTS Clarke and Hatfield

  > Males and females approach members of the opposite sex and ask 'will you have sex with me?'

  > Found 75% of males said yes to the female whereas 0% of females agreed to have sex with the males

  > Supporting the differences in partner preferences and human reproductive behaviour
• Evolutionary explanations AO3

  :( Lacks temporal validity as cannot explain modern relationships

  > Cannot explain homosexuality, individuals who do not want children and women who choose to have abortions

  > As evolutionary explanation assumes all relationships are motivated by a desire to reproduce

  > Cannot solely explain the relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour