RELATIONSHIPS NOTES
THE EVOLUTIONARY PREFERENCES FOR PARTNER PREFERENCE
AO1
- ANISOGAMY- sexual reproduction by fusion of similar gametes. Male
gametes= small, highly mobile and created in vast numbers
continuously. Female gametes= large, static and produced in
limited quantities. Consequences of anisogamy= no shortage of
fertile males but there is a shortage of fertile females
- INTERSEXUAL SELECTION- the selection of choosing a mate due to
each species having a preferred criteria of characteristics. Every
human looks for specific traits in a reproductive partner
- INTRASEXUAL SELECTION- members of the same gender compete
against each other for a mate. Victors reduce the choice and
therefore increases their personal chance of being chosen
- Men are more competitive and females are more selective in sexual
selection and reproductive behaviour because males can reproduce
as much as they want but females are stuck carrying the child
THE EVOLUTIONARY PREFERENCES FOR PARTNER PREFERENCE
AO3
STRENGTH
- Clark + hatfield study
- Aimed to identify gender differences in sexual activity
- Sent one male one female around uni camp asking opposite sex to
sleep with them
- 75% of men said yes and 0% of girls said yes
- Supports the theory of intrasexual selection
- Reliable and up to date case study which supports evo preferences
LIMITATION
- Ignores social and cultural influences on reproductive behaviour
- Deterministic because assumes sexual attraction is due to biological
instincts and this tries to govern our choice
- Doesnt consider the role of free will or people who may have no
desire for children
- Further ignores homosexual couples
- Certain groups + free will not considered
LIMITATION
- Cannot be used to explain homosexual relationships
, - Only talks about choosing a partner for reproduction which isnt an
option as homosexuals cannot reproduce with their partner
- Ignores ever changing society
- No longer applicable to all relationships
FACTORS AFFECTING ATTRACTION- SELF DISCLOSURE AO1
- SELF DISCLOSURE- learning as much as you can about partner in
the early days of relationship due to the more we know the more we
like them. People are careful at the start but as relationship
develops more is revealed
- SOCIAL PENETRATION THEORY- self disclosure is vital for a
relationship. Revealing personal info is a display of trust. As more
info is shared penetrate deeper into lives
- BREADTH AND DEPTH OF SELF DISCLOSURE- as breadth and depth
increases partners become more committed. At the start there is
lots of superficial low risk info but more commitment means more
layers revealed
- RECIPROCITY OF SELF DISCLOSURE- has to be reciprocity between
both partners. Once you reveal info your partner also reveals info to
build trust. Balance of intimate self disclosure to be successful
FACTORS AFFECTING ATTRACTION- SELF DISCLOSURE AO3
STRENGTH
- Research support
- Spencer and henrick found it heterosexual couples there is a strong
correlation between satisfaction and self disclosure
- Found couples who disclosed more felt more comfortable and
intimate which supports the theory
- Further research support from laurenceau who used diary entries
which demonstrated high levels of disclosure linked to high intimacy
levels
- Strengthened by two pieces of research
LIMITATION
- May be other influencing factors
- Eg money or looks
- Intimacy and trust may not always be solely dependant on self
disclosure, instead factors like money and looks can influence
- It can be argued that the pieces of research are not valid as there is
a chance it has been affected by other factors
- Furthermore, ducks breakdown theory also believes self disclosure
can lead to relationship break down
THE EVOLUTIONARY PREFERENCES FOR PARTNER PREFERENCE
AO1
- ANISOGAMY- sexual reproduction by fusion of similar gametes. Male
gametes= small, highly mobile and created in vast numbers
continuously. Female gametes= large, static and produced in
limited quantities. Consequences of anisogamy= no shortage of
fertile males but there is a shortage of fertile females
- INTERSEXUAL SELECTION- the selection of choosing a mate due to
each species having a preferred criteria of characteristics. Every
human looks for specific traits in a reproductive partner
- INTRASEXUAL SELECTION- members of the same gender compete
against each other for a mate. Victors reduce the choice and
therefore increases their personal chance of being chosen
- Men are more competitive and females are more selective in sexual
selection and reproductive behaviour because males can reproduce
as much as they want but females are stuck carrying the child
THE EVOLUTIONARY PREFERENCES FOR PARTNER PREFERENCE
AO3
STRENGTH
- Clark + hatfield study
- Aimed to identify gender differences in sexual activity
- Sent one male one female around uni camp asking opposite sex to
sleep with them
- 75% of men said yes and 0% of girls said yes
- Supports the theory of intrasexual selection
- Reliable and up to date case study which supports evo preferences
LIMITATION
- Ignores social and cultural influences on reproductive behaviour
- Deterministic because assumes sexual attraction is due to biological
instincts and this tries to govern our choice
- Doesnt consider the role of free will or people who may have no
desire for children
- Further ignores homosexual couples
- Certain groups + free will not considered
LIMITATION
- Cannot be used to explain homosexual relationships
, - Only talks about choosing a partner for reproduction which isnt an
option as homosexuals cannot reproduce with their partner
- Ignores ever changing society
- No longer applicable to all relationships
FACTORS AFFECTING ATTRACTION- SELF DISCLOSURE AO1
- SELF DISCLOSURE- learning as much as you can about partner in
the early days of relationship due to the more we know the more we
like them. People are careful at the start but as relationship
develops more is revealed
- SOCIAL PENETRATION THEORY- self disclosure is vital for a
relationship. Revealing personal info is a display of trust. As more
info is shared penetrate deeper into lives
- BREADTH AND DEPTH OF SELF DISCLOSURE- as breadth and depth
increases partners become more committed. At the start there is
lots of superficial low risk info but more commitment means more
layers revealed
- RECIPROCITY OF SELF DISCLOSURE- has to be reciprocity between
both partners. Once you reveal info your partner also reveals info to
build trust. Balance of intimate self disclosure to be successful
FACTORS AFFECTING ATTRACTION- SELF DISCLOSURE AO3
STRENGTH
- Research support
- Spencer and henrick found it heterosexual couples there is a strong
correlation between satisfaction and self disclosure
- Found couples who disclosed more felt more comfortable and
intimate which supports the theory
- Further research support from laurenceau who used diary entries
which demonstrated high levels of disclosure linked to high intimacy
levels
- Strengthened by two pieces of research
LIMITATION
- May be other influencing factors
- Eg money or looks
- Intimacy and trust may not always be solely dependant on self
disclosure, instead factors like money and looks can influence
- It can be argued that the pieces of research are not valid as there is
a chance it has been affected by other factors
- Furthermore, ducks breakdown theory also believes self disclosure
can lead to relationship break down
