SEXUAL SELECTION AND HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR

SEXUAL SELECTION AND HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR

1. EVOLUTIONARY THEORY (A01)

   • The concept of sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour is based on the principals of the evolutionary theory, which states that each living organism has a set of characteristics encoded by its genes, which are inherited from its parents.
   • Evolutionary principals suggest that organisms have the innate drive to reproduce in order to pass on their favourable genes to their offspring. So in theory, our reproductive behaviour is governed by evolutionary drives
   • This links in with the concept of natural selection; the process whereby organisms better adapt to their environment in order to survive and then reproduce. In order to reproduce, an organism mist first attract a potential mate, this is known as sexual selection

2. SEXUAL SELECTION (A01)

   • Intra-sexual selection is selection within the same sex. For example, some male animals compete against one another for access to females. Characteristics such as big antlers and sharp teeth can be used against other males of the same species as a means of mating with females is a selective advantage
   • Inter-sexual selection is the selection between the two sexes (usually the preferences of females). For example, the bright plumage of a male peacock does not help it physically overcome its competition, but female peacocks tend to prefer this characteristic.; therefore male peacocks with bright plumage have a selective advantage. These characteristics are knows as sexual dimorphisms
   • Humans are similar in the sense that they are 'pre-programmed' to attend to these important indicators and mate with individuals who possess them. For example, if women prefer taller men, overtime, the number of tall men within the population will increase, as men who posses the tall gene will have a selective advantage

3. PREFERENCES (A01)

   • Male have evolved a greater desire for casual sec and seek sex earlier in a relationship than females. An explanation for this is that in a space of just one year, a man could potentially impregnate a large number of women and pass on his genes, whereas women can only produce one child. The less time a men spend between having sex, the greater chance of the number of women impregnanted
   • Men are also known to lower their standards when investing in short term mating and display a decrease in attraction following sex. On the other hand, women are attracted to men who can potentially invest resources in them and their offspring, such as protection. Males will be more attracted to women who show signs of fertility, therefore supporting the theory that sexual selection influences reproductive behaviour

4. BUSS (A02)

   • Buss (1989) aimed to identify what characteristics people from different cultures looked for in a potential partner; "good looks", "good financial prospects", "age difference" and "ambition and industriousness"
   • Buss found that "good financial prospects" was highly rated by females in low income countries such as Indonesia, Nigeria and Zambia. This may be because female seek partners who can provide financial stability in order to improve their quality of life and care for their offspring
   • "Ambition and industriousness" was also rated highly in low income countries, which again suggests that women seek men who can support them and their offspring and build better living conditions
   • In all 37 samples, both male and females preferred the male to be older, which again supports the theory that a woman's sexual behaviour is influenced by the resources she can secure for her and her offspring. It also supports the theory that men seek women who show signs of fertility, as younger women often appear more fertile

5. EVALUATION (A02)

   • The evolutionary theory does not account for homosexual relationships as they do not contribute to reproductive success and the passing on of genes. Not only that, the overemphasis placed on evolutionary factors. Nicholas (1999) stated that chosing a mate is likely to be based on a whole range of issues. This therefore suggests the evolutionary explanation is too simplistic and reductionist
   • Buss's study is based on a large sample of 10,047 participants from a number of different countries. This means that the results can be generalised to the wider population, which is important when studying evolutionary theories as they should be applicable to the entire population.
   • However, Buss used sampling techniques such as random sampling and volunteer sampling, which means the sample may have been biased; potentially more males and females
   • Buss used questionnaires in his study which often results in participants giving socially desirable answers to prevent themselves from being judged, compromising the validity of the results.