Concise notes on Sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour, based on the AQA A level psychology syllabus. looks at :
- sexual selection
- Anisogamy
- Inter-sexual selection
- Intra-sexual selection
- Evaluation of the topic
Sexual selection + human reproductive behaviour
Sexual selection = evolutionary explanation of partner preference. Attributes or behaviours that
increase reproductive success are passed on and may become exaggerated over succeeding generations
of offspring.
e.g. advantageous characteristics such as greater height, certain facial and bodily features etc.
Human reproductive behaviour = behaviours that relate to reproduction and therefore increase chance
of survival of our genes.
Anisogamy
= difference between male and female gametes (sex cells):
Male gamete = sperm – very small, mobile, vast numbers created from puberty to old age
Vs.
Female gametes = eggs – larger, stationary, limited number present at birth, limited fertile years
The consequence of anisogamy for mate selection is that there is many fertile males and few fertile
females.
It also gives rise to 2 different mating strategies, leading to 2 types of sexual selection:
1. Inter-sexual selection = between sexes
2. Intra-sexual selection = within each sex
Inter-sexual selection
preferred strategy of females – quality over quantity.
Ova/eggs are rarer than sperm + require more energy, and females invest more time,
commitment and resources to her offspring than males.
This means optimum mating strategy is to select a genetically fit partner who can provide
resources
Runway process in the ‘Sexy sons’ hypothesis (Fischer) = a female mates with a male who has a
desirable + ‘sexy’ trait is inherited by her son so that females will want to mate with her son.
Intra-sexual selection
Preferred strategy of males – quantity over quality: tries to mate with as many females as
possible
= competition between males to mate with a female
The winner gets to pass the successful characteristics to his offspring
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lily02. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
