Relationships
The evolutionary explanations for partners preferences
The 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 be best able to ensure
the offspring’s future health and survival.
Anisogamy –
A01 – anisogamy means two sex cells gametes that are different coming
together to reproduce. Men have sperm cells which can reproduce
quickly with little energy expenditure, and once they start being
produced, they do not stop until the man dies
Inter-sexual selection –
A01 – intersexual selection is the preferred strategy of the female; they
value quality over quantity. Inter sexual selection is when one gender
makes mate choices based on specific characteristics of the other gender
e.g., peahens that choose peacocks with larger tails. Females lose
resources if they choose a sub-standard partner, so they are pickier about
who they select. More likely to pick a genetically fit partner willing to
offer maximum resources.
Intrasexual selection –
A01 – intrasexual selection is the preferred strategy of the male. Value
quality over quantity. Anisogamy suggests that men’s best evolutionary
strategy is to have as many partners as possible. To succeed, men must
compete with other males to present themselves as most attractive.
Competition between members if the same sex for access to mates of the
opposite sex.
A03 – Buss surveyed over 10,000 adults in 33 countries found that
women reported valuing resource-based characteristics when choosing a
male whilst men valued good looks and youth. Could be social desirability
bias.
, Determinists suggest we have little free will over our partner.
Gender bias, in today’s society women are more career orientated, may
not apply to modern society.
Little attempt to explain other types of relationships e.g., homosexual.
Factors affecting attraction
Self-disclosure –
A01 – refers to the extent to which a person reveals thoughts and feelings
and behaviours which they would usually keep private from a potential
partner. In the initial stages couples often seek to learn as much as they
can about their new partner. As relationship develops more likely to
share more detailed and personal information, such as past traumas and
desires for the future. If this happens to soon, an incompatibility may be
found. Reciprocity is important in the process, if one shares more than
the other is willy there may be a breakdown of trust as one person
establishes themselves more invested than the other.
A03 – Aron found that providing a list of questions to pairs of people that
start with superficial information and moving over 36 questions to more
intimate information people grew closer the most the questions
progressed. 4-minute stare at the end of each which may have
contributed.
Physical attractiveness including matching hypothesis –
A01 – physical attractiveness is viewed by society as one of the most
important factors of relationship formation. Physical appearance can be
seen as a range of indicators of underlying characteristics. Women with a
favourable hip-to-waist ratio are seen as attractive because they are
perceived to be more fertile and people with more symmetrical features
are seen to be more genetically fit.
The halo effect is a cognitive bias that occurs when a person assumes that
a person has positive traits in terms of personality because of their
pleasing physical appearance.
The matching hypothesis suggests that people realise at a young age that
not everybody can form relationships, so it is important to evaluate their
own attractiveness and find partners that are the most attainable.
2
The evolutionary explanations for partners preferences
The 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 be best able to ensure
the offspring’s future health and survival.
Anisogamy –
A01 – anisogamy means two sex cells gametes that are different coming
together to reproduce. Men have sperm cells which can reproduce
quickly with little energy expenditure, and once they start being
produced, they do not stop until the man dies
Inter-sexual selection –
A01 – intersexual selection is the preferred strategy of the female; they
value quality over quantity. Inter sexual selection is when one gender
makes mate choices based on specific characteristics of the other gender
e.g., peahens that choose peacocks with larger tails. Females lose
resources if they choose a sub-standard partner, so they are pickier about
who they select. More likely to pick a genetically fit partner willing to
offer maximum resources.
Intrasexual selection –
A01 – intrasexual selection is the preferred strategy of the male. Value
quality over quantity. Anisogamy suggests that men’s best evolutionary
strategy is to have as many partners as possible. To succeed, men must
compete with other males to present themselves as most attractive.
Competition between members if the same sex for access to mates of the
opposite sex.
A03 – Buss surveyed over 10,000 adults in 33 countries found that
women reported valuing resource-based characteristics when choosing a
male whilst men valued good looks and youth. Could be social desirability
bias.
, Determinists suggest we have little free will over our partner.
Gender bias, in today’s society women are more career orientated, may
not apply to modern society.
Little attempt to explain other types of relationships e.g., homosexual.
Factors affecting attraction
Self-disclosure –
A01 – refers to the extent to which a person reveals thoughts and feelings
and behaviours which they would usually keep private from a potential
partner. In the initial stages couples often seek to learn as much as they
can about their new partner. As relationship develops more likely to
share more detailed and personal information, such as past traumas and
desires for the future. If this happens to soon, an incompatibility may be
found. Reciprocity is important in the process, if one shares more than
the other is willy there may be a breakdown of trust as one person
establishes themselves more invested than the other.
A03 – Aron found that providing a list of questions to pairs of people that
start with superficial information and moving over 36 questions to more
intimate information people grew closer the most the questions
progressed. 4-minute stare at the end of each which may have
contributed.
Physical attractiveness including matching hypothesis –
A01 – physical attractiveness is viewed by society as one of the most
important factors of relationship formation. Physical appearance can be
seen as a range of indicators of underlying characteristics. Women with a
favourable hip-to-waist ratio are seen as attractive because they are
perceived to be more fertile and people with more symmetrical features
are seen to be more genetically fit.
The halo effect is a cognitive bias that occurs when a person assumes that
a person has positive traits in terms of personality because of their
pleasing physical appearance.
The matching hypothesis suggests that people realise at a young age that
not everybody can form relationships, so it is important to evaluate their
own attractiveness and find partners that are the most attainable.
2
