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AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY RELATIONSHIPS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY RELATIONSHIPS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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AQA A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGYRELATIONSHIPS EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Outline what sexual selection is - Sexual Selection is the process of selecting the right
mate through competing rivals and engaging in the right behaviours in order for
successful conception and child rearing. The evolutionary explanations behind this
preference is important as it gives us insight on who will be chosen and who will be
excluded.
Outline the two ways in which sexual selection operates - Intrasexual Selection - this
involves individuals of one sex (usually male) outcompeting each other in oder to gain
access to the other sex. Those who are successful are able to mate and pass on their
genes to their offspring
Intersexual Selection - this is where members of one sex evolve preferences for specific
qualities in potential mates. This causes the members of the opposite sex who have
these qualities to have an advantage and more of a choice of who they want to mate
with
Outline the rationale behind sexual selection including long term mate preferences -
Although on the face of it being choosy about mates wastes time and energy in the long
run it is essential. The rationale behind it is that if you are choosy then the genetic
quality of your mate will be higher quality which will then pass onto offspring. The
offspring will then have characteristics such as healthy and being attractive. Females
tend to be attracted to those who are able to invest resources into her and her children,
physically protect her and her children and are compatible to show minimal costs to her
and her children.
Outline a study into partner preference - Buss conducted a study that involved 10,000
participants from 37 cultures. Asked to rate each of the 18 characteristics on how
important they were to them. A four point likert scale was used.
They found that the main results were:
Resources - it was found that women found this more important than men. Translating
into a desire for men with qualities and resources such as ambition and money
Physical Attractiveness - men placed more importance on this as it provides a cue to a
woman's health and thus fertility
Youth - men wanted mates who were younger indicating that they valued increased
fertility
Intelligence - both sexes wanted this
Evaluate the nature of sexual selection - Buss's study may lack validity. The study looks
at what peoples expressed preferences in mates are rather than an actual reflection of
what really happens in a real life situation. The statistics gained from his study do not
, accurately match marriage statistics on factors such as age. However real life studies
do provide the same statistics, for example one study done on 29 cultures confirmed
that men do in fact go for younger women.
Cultural traditions may be as important as evolutionary factors. Gender differences in
mate preference may in fact stem from cultural and social traditions rather than
evolutionary factors. For example the fact that women desire men with more resources
could be due to the fact that women have been denied economical power in many
countries in the past and even now. One study found that in those countires where
women's status were less they tended to go for men with more resources. Meaning that
we should not simply look at evolutionary factors in mate preference.
Female preference for high status men may not be universal. One psychologist claims
that female preference for high status men is not universal and argues that most studies
have been conducting on female undergraduate students. Therefore these women
expect to achieve high educational status and thus expect their partner to reflect this.
Therefore evidence for females preference for high status men is weak
State the factors that affect attraction - Physical Attractiveness (Matching Hypothesis)
Self Disclosure
Filter Theory
Outline physical attractiveness - It seems that in the past men have shown more of a
preference towards physical attractiveness than women however recent studies suggest
that it may be just as important to women as men. However women may rely on
physical attractiveness when it comes to a short term thing ie. a one night stand
whereas when it came to a long term relationship it was less essential.
Outline the matching hypothesis - The matching hypothesis says that when seeking for
romantic partners we look for people who we perceive to be of similar social desirability
as ourselves. According to this view the first step is partners assessing their own
desirability in the eyes of a potential partner and then select the best candidates who
would be most likely attracted to them. Although realistically they would both be
attracted to the most desirable candidate by matching with each others social
desirability then they are maximising a successful outcome.
Outline a study done into the matching hypothesis - A psychologist advertised a
computer dance for students at a university. 177 males and 170 females were randomly
selected to take part in the study. When they came to pick up there tickets four
confederates were rating each of them on physical attractiveness. Participants were
then asked to complete a questionnaire to asses personality, intelligence etc. they were
told these questionnaires would match them to the best possible partner whereas in
reality they were matched randomly. Six months after the dance they were asked to
complete a follow up questionnaire about their partner.
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