Summary
Summary Relationships
- Institution
- AQA
Relationships topic for AQA A Level Psychology
[Show more]
Content preview
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).
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 liztkd. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £2.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
77254 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now