RELATIONSHIPS
PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3
, SEXUAL SELECTION &
HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE
BEHAVIOUR
, SEXUAL SELECTION
IMPORTANCE OF ANISOGAMY [= mating strategies]:
● Anisogamy is also importance in partner preference because it gives rise to two different
mating strategies which means that there are 2 types of sexual selection: inter and intra
sexual selection
● Inter-sexual selection = between the sexes - the strategies that males use to select females
or females use to select males
● Intra-sexual selection = within each sex - strategies between males to be the one that is
selected
ANISOGAMY = Anisogamy refers to the
deference between male & female sex cells
[gametes]
, INTER-SEXUAL SELECTION
● This is the preferred strategy of the female - quality over quantity
● Ova are rarer than sperm & require greater energy to produce. Females make
greater investment of time, commitment & other resources before, during & after
birth of offspring - consequences of making a wrong choice of partner are much
more serious for females so they’re choosy
● Female’s optimum mating strategy = select genetically fit partner who’s able &
willing to provide resources. Males = competing to mate with fertile females
● It’s the female preference for a fit male which determines which features are
passed onto the offspring. E.g if height is considered an attractive trait - over
generations = produce sons who are taller & produce daughters who have a
greater preference for tall partners
PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 3
, SEXUAL SELECTION &
HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE
BEHAVIOUR
, SEXUAL SELECTION
IMPORTANCE OF ANISOGAMY [= mating strategies]:
● Anisogamy is also importance in partner preference because it gives rise to two different
mating strategies which means that there are 2 types of sexual selection: inter and intra
sexual selection
● Inter-sexual selection = between the sexes - the strategies that males use to select females
or females use to select males
● Intra-sexual selection = within each sex - strategies between males to be the one that is
selected
ANISOGAMY = Anisogamy refers to the
deference between male & female sex cells
[gametes]
, INTER-SEXUAL SELECTION
● This is the preferred strategy of the female - quality over quantity
● Ova are rarer than sperm & require greater energy to produce. Females make
greater investment of time, commitment & other resources before, during & after
birth of offspring - consequences of making a wrong choice of partner are much
more serious for females so they’re choosy
● Female’s optimum mating strategy = select genetically fit partner who’s able &
willing to provide resources. Males = competing to mate with fertile females
● It’s the female preference for a fit male which determines which features are
passed onto the offspring. E.g if height is considered an attractive trait - over
generations = produce sons who are taller & produce daughters who have a
greater preference for tall partners
