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Summary Relationships
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Relationships topic for AQA A Level Psychology
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The evolutionary explanations for partner preferencesThe relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive
behaviour
Evolutionary approaches state that animals are motivated to select a
‘mate’ with the best possible genes who will best be able to ensure the
offspring’s future health and survival.
Anisogamy AO1
Anisogamy means two sex cells (or gametes) that are different coming
together to reproduce. Men have sperm cells, which are able to reproduce
quickly with little energy expenditure and once they start being produced,
they do not usually stop until the man dies.
Female gametes (eggs or ova) are, in contrast, much less plentiful; they
are released in a limited time frame (between puberty and menopause)
and require much more energy to produce. This difference (anisogamy)
means that men and women use different strategies when choosing their
partners.
Females will, therefore, tend to seek a man who displays characteristics
of physical health and is a high-status individual who controls resources
within the social group. Thus male partners are able to protect, provide
and control food and resources. Although this ability may have equated to
muscular strength in our evolutionary past, in modern society it is more
likely to relate to occupation, social class and wealth.
Inter-sexual Selection (AO1)
Intersexual selection is when one gender makes mate choices based on a
specific characteristic in the other gender: e.g. peahens choosing
peacocks with larger tails. As a result, peacock tails become larger across
the population because peacocks with larger tails will mate more, thus
passing these characteristics on.
Females lose more resources than men if they choose a sub-standard
partner, so are pickier about who they select. They are more likely to pick
a partner who is genetically fit and willing to offer the maximum
resources to raise their offspring (a man who will remain by her side as
the child grows to protect them both and potentially provide more
children).
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