4098628
Description
Mind Map by Sophie Edroff, updated more than 1 year ago
|
Created by Sophie Edroff
over 10 years ago
|
|
Sexual Selection and Human Reproduction
- A01
- Intrasexual Selection
- members of one sex compete with each
other for access to member of the
opposite sex. Victors are able to mate
and pass on their genes.
- members of one sex compete with each
other for access to member of the
opposite sex. Victors are able to mate
and pass on their genes.
- Intersexual Selection
- the preferences of one sex for members of the
opposite sex who possess certain qualities. The
preferences of one sex determine the areas in
which the other sexes must compete.
- Humans are perceptually 'pre-programmed' to
attend to displays off these important indicators
which in turn increases their willingness to mate
with individual who possesses them.
- Humans are perceptually 'pre-programmed' to
attend to displays off these important indicators
which in turn increases their willingness to mate
with individual who possesses them.
- Facial
Symmetry
- It is likely that symmetry equates to fitness
and good genes. These people are less likely
to have been affected by harmful mutation
etc. Also, people with attractive faces are
preferred because of the benefits of
passing on these attractive characteristics
to offspring – Penton-Voak et al 2001 found
females prefer males with greater face
symmetry. Angelina Jolie is considered to be
attractive because of her symmetrical face.
- It is likely that symmetry equates to fitness
and good genes. These people are less likely
to have been affected by harmful mutation
etc. Also, people with attractive faces are
preferred because of the benefits of
passing on these attractive characteristics
to offspring – Penton-Voak et al 2001 found
females prefer males with greater face
symmetry. Angelina Jolie is considered to be
attractive because of her symmetrical face.
- Waist-to-Hip Ratio
- Singh 1993 found that waist-to-hip ratio a reliable predictor of
attractiveness for females . It related to fat distribution which
is regulated by sex hormones. He investigated body shape
across cultures. Body ratio’s i.e. female waist-to-hip of 0.7
(hour glass shape) were more preferred. Males WHR preferred
of 0.85 which is wide shoulders and narrow hips (a triangle
shape). Further research suggests that women with a WHR
higher than 0.7 often exhibit problems such as inability to
conceive and general poor health. Swami and Furnham 2006
found that the optimum WHR of 0.71 corresponds closely to
models such as Anna Nicole (0.69), Kate Moss (0.66) and Cindy
Crawford (0.69) supporting Singh’s findings.
- Singh 1993 found that waist-to-hip ratio a reliable predictor of
attractiveness for females . It related to fat distribution which
is regulated by sex hormones. He investigated body shape
across cultures. Body ratio’s i.e. female waist-to-hip of 0.7
(hour glass shape) were more preferred. Males WHR preferred
of 0.85 which is wide shoulders and narrow hips (a triangle
shape). Further research suggests that women with a WHR
higher than 0.7 often exhibit problems such as inability to
conceive and general poor health. Swami and Furnham 2006
found that the optimum WHR of 0.71 corresponds closely to
models such as Anna Nicole (0.69), Kate Moss (0.66) and Cindy
Crawford (0.69) supporting Singh’s findings.
- the preferences of one sex for members of the
opposite sex who possess certain qualities. The
preferences of one sex determine the areas in
which the other sexes must compete.
- Sexual Attraction and Evolution
- Short Term Mating Preferences
- - There appears to be differences between males
and females motivation for short term relationships
and casual sex. The logic of sexual selection
suggests that the more females a male manages to
impregnate, the greater his reproductive success.
- Buss and Schmitt 1993 found men showed a marked
decrease in attraction for a ‘casual’ partner after sex – don’t
spend too long with one woman. However the implications
are greater for the woman as mating with a poor quality
male would lead to poor quality offspring. Clark and Hatfield
1989 had attractive strangers approach people at a university
campus and invited them to have casual sex at their
apartment. - 0% of females agreed - 75% of males agreed.
- Male Strategies
- Courtship Rituals - Miller sees human culture as
being shaped by evolution (art, music, humour)
- Size - men evolved to be bigger than
females demonstrating strength for success
in competition against other males
- Promiscuity - males tend to be willing to mate with someone outside
of their partner - This is also good for the female to have multiple
fathers for her children. Greiling and Buss 2000 suggest that she
could profit in a number of ways; mate switching – to leave poor
quality relationship, producing more genetically diverse offspring.
- Courtship Rituals - Miller sees human culture as
being shaped by evolution (art, music, humour)
- Buss and Schmitt 1993 found men showed a marked
decrease in attraction for a ‘casual’ partner after sex – don’t
spend too long with one woman. However the implications
are greater for the woman as mating with a poor quality
male would lead to poor quality offspring. Clark and Hatfield
1989 had attractive strangers approach people at a university
campus and invited them to have casual sex at their
apartment. - 0% of females agreed - 75% of males agreed.
- - There appears to be differences between males
and females motivation for short term relationships
and casual sex. The logic of sexual selection
suggests that the more females a male manages to
impregnate, the greater his reproductive success.
- Long Term Mating Preferences
- Sexual selection favours high levels of selectiveness in
both sexes as both sexes have to invest long term in
their offspring. Poor long-term mate choice could result
in wasted time and resources for both sexes. As women
have an obligatory biological investment in their
children, they would be expected to be very particular
about their choice of mate. They would be attracted to
males who; are able to invest and provide, are able to
physically protect her and her children, and show
promise as a good parent (Buss 2003).
- Sexual selection favours high levels of selectiveness in
both sexes as both sexes have to invest long term in
their offspring. Poor long-term mate choice could result
in wasted time and resources for both sexes. As women
have an obligatory biological investment in their
children, they would be expected to be very particular
about their choice of mate. They would be attracted to
males who; are able to invest and provide, are able to
physically protect her and her children, and show
promise as a good parent (Buss 2003).
- Short Term Mating Preferences
- Female Strategies
- Sexy sons hypothesis - females choose attractive males
so that they will produce equally attractive sons
- Handicap hypothesis - Zahavi 1975 believes women may
favour men with handicaps because they have been able
to survive despite difficulty so must have strong genes
- Courtship - female preference for long courtship
requires males to invest time and effort making
them less likely to leave after successful mating.
- Sexy sons hypothesis - females choose attractive males
so that they will produce equally attractive sons
- Intrasexual Selection
- A02
- Contradictory Evidence
- Strassberg and Holtz 2003 - fictitious advertisements were used in which a
hypothetical woman was described as very attractive, passionate &
sensitive or financially successful and ambitious. predictions would
support the first advertisement as being most popular but it was actually
the second that attracted most men. challenges the assumptions of the
model, questioning reliability and findings used to support explanation.
- Strassberg and Holtz 2003 - fictitious advertisements were used in which a
hypothetical woman was described as very attractive, passionate &
sensitive or financially successful and ambitious. predictions would
support the first advertisement as being most popular but it was actually
the second that attracted most men. challenges the assumptions of the
model, questioning reliability and findings used to support explanation.
- Supporting Research
- the idea of youthfulness, linked to reproduction and fitness, is preferred when selecting a mate. For
example, photographs of women will relatively large and wide spread eyes, a small nose and chin are
regarded as more attractive. these findings are consistent with the notion in evolutionary psychology
that men seek young women who are likely to be fertile. However, other findings are more
contradictory. questioning the consistency of support. wide cheekbones and narrow cheeks in
women are also seen as attractive and these features are not often found in young children.
- Langois et al - suggests that differential interest in attractive adult female
faces emerges early in the first year of infancy, implying that the preference
for attractive faces is more likely to be an evolved response than a learned
behaviour. also a significant degree of cross-cultural agreement and hence
support for ratings of facial attractiveness. taken together, this evidence
disproves the argument that the criteria of facial attractiveness are
determined by cultural conventions and supports evolutionary perspective.
- the idea of youthfulness, linked to reproduction and fitness, is preferred when selecting a mate. For
example, photographs of women will relatively large and wide spread eyes, a small nose and chin are
regarded as more attractive. these findings are consistent with the notion in evolutionary psychology
that men seek young women who are likely to be fertile. However, other findings are more
contradictory. questioning the consistency of support. wide cheekbones and narrow cheeks in
women are also seen as attractive and these features are not often found in young children.
- Validity
- Much of the research conducted is by questionnaire/interview. subjects may guess that
certain responses are being sought and believe they are undermining scientific
research by giving responses that do not support evolutionary principles. also this type
of research documenting sex differences in mate choice has focused on preferences
rather than life choices creating an 'as if psychology'. e.g. people may express a
preference for an ideal partner but may have to settle for less. questions the validity of
such studies as the methods used are not measuring realistic sexual choices, but some
fantasy that maybe motivated by the media, giving a role to social learning.
- Much of the research conducted is by questionnaire/interview. subjects may guess that
certain responses are being sought and believe they are undermining scientific
research by giving responses that do not support evolutionary principles. also this type
of research documenting sex differences in mate choice has focused on preferences
rather than life choices creating an 'as if psychology'. e.g. people may express a
preference for an ideal partner but may have to settle for less. questions the validity of
such studies as the methods used are not measuring realistic sexual choices, but some
fantasy that maybe motivated by the media, giving a role to social learning.
- Female Preference
- Cunningham - found that men who had features such as a large square
jaw, small eyes, prominent cheekbones and thin lips were regarded as
attractive by women. these features as predicted by evolutionary theory,
are attractive as they are not evident in young children and therefore
suggest testosterone in the male, reflecting a strong immune system.
- Cunningham - found that men who had features such as a large square
jaw, small eyes, prominent cheekbones and thin lips were regarded as
attractive by women. these features as predicted by evolutionary theory,
are attractive as they are not evident in young children and therefore
suggest testosterone in the male, reflecting a strong immune system.
- Methodological
- we can be confident that the principles cause an individual to
choose a mate based on instinctive reproductive needs, as the
research is only correlational. although this allows us to identify
a clear relationship between sexual selection and attributes,
which may be useful for dating agencies or media, it does not
allow us to identify a causal link between the two variables.
- Rubinstein and Caballero - body mass index is a predictor of sexual attraction due to signals it gives for fertility. they found that there had been a steady
decrease in BMI for the winners of Miss America pageant between 1923 and 1999. changes indicate cultural changes in preferences for different body shapes,
which are more likely to be dependent on learnt principles through classical and operant conditioning than evolutionary principles of sexual selecton.
- Rubinstein and Caballero - body mass index is a predictor of sexual attraction due to signals it gives for fertility. they found that there had been a steady
decrease in BMI for the winners of Miss America pageant between 1923 and 1999. changes indicate cultural changes in preferences for different body shapes,
which are more likely to be dependent on learnt principles through classical and operant conditioning than evolutionary principles of sexual selecton.
- we can be confident that the principles cause an individual to
choose a mate based on instinctive reproductive needs, as the
research is only correlational. although this allows us to identify
a clear relationship between sexual selection and attributes,
which may be useful for dating agencies or media, it does not
allow us to identify a causal link between the two variables.
- Contradictory Evidence
Want to create your own Mind Maps for free with GoConqr? Learn more.