Relationship 16 markers
Discuss the relationship between sexual selection and human
reproductive behaviour
A01 – sexual selection, survival of the nicest mate. Peacocks and Darwin.
Men less picky than women. Evolutionary approach states that animals
are motivated to select a mate with the best possible genes to ensure the
offsprings future health and survival
A01 – inter-sexual selection, preferred way of women, choice on specific
characteristics e.g., peacock most colour. Intra – males, competition
between gender for opposite sex. Females lose resources if choose a sub-
standard partner, picker about who they select
A01 – anisogamy, difference in gender sex cells. Women window smaller
and less, once a month for few years and requires energy. Men have
sperm cells that can reproduce quickly with little energy, once produced
they don’t stop until the man dies
A03 – Buss, 10,000 37 cultures, rate characteristics they are looking for. 0-
3. Women preferred ambition and resource-based characteristics. Men
youth and good looks.
A03 – self report, social desirability, demand characteristics may not say
the truth.
A03 – infertile couples, couples that do not want or can’t have children.
This explanation suggests that they wouldn’t want to form a relationship
based on the fact that they can’t reproduce
A03 – heterosexual bias, doesn’t promote, these relations more about
procreation and gene survival which may not be the same when
homosexuals are looking to form a relationship
A03 – real world application, marriage counselling. Infidelity in men due
to their biology, sufficient, toll on heath, economy.
, Discuss the role of the physical attraction in romantic relationships
A01 – physically attractive men and women, humour personality,
hyenine, dress sense. Physical attractiveness is viewed by society as one
of the most important factors or relationship formation. Can be seen as a
range of indicators of underlying characteristics. Female with a favourable
hip-to-waist ratio seen as attractive more fertile.
A01 – halo effect: attractive people are poised, sociable, exciting, sexually
warm, and interesting. Example of attractive women in airport.
A01 – matching hypothesis, going for people who you perceive to be in
the same ‘league’ as you. People realise at a young age that not
everybody can form relationships, evaluate own attractiveness and find
partners attainable to them
A03 – Walster, computer dance study, blind rating, regardless of own
attractiveness they were going for the most attractive
A03 – self report, ethics, deception
A03 – reductionism in loving relations, just attraction, no deeper
connection studied. This may be sensitive research to suggest that all
partnerships are only formed due to a physical attraction rather than a
deeper emotional bond
A03 – individual differences and cultural bias, most important for men,
Ethiopian culture fat men seen as most attractive as they weight is seen
as wealth within that culture. Also personal preference. What one person
may find attractive will not be the same as another
A03 – mismatched couples, free will and determinism. What about those
relations where the attractiveness doesn’t match, fake?
2
Discuss the relationship between sexual selection and human
reproductive behaviour
A01 – sexual selection, survival of the nicest mate. Peacocks and Darwin.
Men less picky than women. Evolutionary approach states that animals
are motivated to select a mate with the best possible genes to ensure the
offsprings future health and survival
A01 – inter-sexual selection, preferred way of women, choice on specific
characteristics e.g., peacock most colour. Intra – males, competition
between gender for opposite sex. Females lose resources if choose a sub-
standard partner, picker about who they select
A01 – anisogamy, difference in gender sex cells. Women window smaller
and less, once a month for few years and requires energy. Men have
sperm cells that can reproduce quickly with little energy, once produced
they don’t stop until the man dies
A03 – Buss, 10,000 37 cultures, rate characteristics they are looking for. 0-
3. Women preferred ambition and resource-based characteristics. Men
youth and good looks.
A03 – self report, social desirability, demand characteristics may not say
the truth.
A03 – infertile couples, couples that do not want or can’t have children.
This explanation suggests that they wouldn’t want to form a relationship
based on the fact that they can’t reproduce
A03 – heterosexual bias, doesn’t promote, these relations more about
procreation and gene survival which may not be the same when
homosexuals are looking to form a relationship
A03 – real world application, marriage counselling. Infidelity in men due
to their biology, sufficient, toll on heath, economy.
, Discuss the role of the physical attraction in romantic relationships
A01 – physically attractive men and women, humour personality,
hyenine, dress sense. Physical attractiveness is viewed by society as one
of the most important factors or relationship formation. Can be seen as a
range of indicators of underlying characteristics. Female with a favourable
hip-to-waist ratio seen as attractive more fertile.
A01 – halo effect: attractive people are poised, sociable, exciting, sexually
warm, and interesting. Example of attractive women in airport.
A01 – matching hypothesis, going for people who you perceive to be in
the same ‘league’ as you. People realise at a young age that not
everybody can form relationships, evaluate own attractiveness and find
partners attainable to them
A03 – Walster, computer dance study, blind rating, regardless of own
attractiveness they were going for the most attractive
A03 – self report, ethics, deception
A03 – reductionism in loving relations, just attraction, no deeper
connection studied. This may be sensitive research to suggest that all
partnerships are only formed due to a physical attraction rather than a
deeper emotional bond
A03 – individual differences and cultural bias, most important for men,
Ethiopian culture fat men seen as most attractive as they weight is seen
as wealth within that culture. Also personal preference. What one person
may find attractive will not be the same as another
A03 – mismatched couples, free will and determinism. What about those
relations where the attractiveness doesn’t match, fake?
2
