 What connects these two images..?

 In many species, males have characteristics (e.g. brighter colouration, exaggerated tails) that serve to attract females (just like Peacocks advertise their potential as a potential mate).  Suggests that males are competing for the attention of females  Suggests that, in many species, females do the choosing

SS = the processes through which men & women attempt to maximise their chances of reproductive success In doing this, we consider what we need from the opposite sex to do this and therefore also what we want from the opposite sex… TWO key processes are involved; INTRASEXUAL selection = mate competition INTERSEXUAL selection = mate choice Since reproduction is more important than survival (I.e. natural selection) Even though they don’t necessarily aid our survival

What characteristics would indicate good resources? What characteristics would indicate good genes? What characteristics would indicate good parents? Economic & financial security, good job, well educated, interpersonal skills, status, etc Good health, so skin, hair, weight, facial symmetry, BUT also traits that are disadvantaged (think about the peacock’s tail) Good skills, so caring, affectionate, strong, protective, ability to provide, nurture, etc

 There is a lot of agreement between people about whether someone is physically attractive. Physical attractiveness is often the first thing we observe about a stranger.  However, there are differences in what is perceived to be attractive in men and women.  Cunningham (1986)  Cunningham (1986) showed participants pictures of men and women, and asked them to rate the physical attractiveness of them.

 Cunningham (1986) found that certain features acquired high attractiveness ratings among the ppts, including neonate features such as  higher and wider eyes  greater distance between eyes  a smaller chin and a smaller nose size.  Highly attractive mature features were prominent cheek bones and a narrower face.  high eyebrows  large smiles and dilated pupils –these are expressive features, also linked to attractiveness “ baby face you’ve got the cutest little baby face ”

 Singh(1993)  Men like women with a low waist to hip ratio. Slimmest part of your waist Widest part of your hips

‘ Sex differences in human mate preferences’

How can I find out about male and female mate preferences THIS IS BUSS… … HE’S INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT MEN AND WOMEN GO FOR IN A MATE I know, I’ll do a questionnaire

Fill in your age, gender and marital status 17, Female, single 41, Male, single 32, Female, Married 25, Male, single

 At what age they wanted to marry  How big they like the age gap to be between themselves and their partner  How many children they want  How important 18 characteristics were to them, including…  Good job  Good looks  Chastity  Ambition  Which characteristics were most desirable including…  Good earning capacity  Physical attractiveness

Let’s go and see if we get different results in other cultures Let’s go to Europe, America, Africa, Iran, New Zealand, and many more… Pack your bags and hold tight…

MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE WERE USED… …AND THEY WERE GAINED USING DIFFERENT SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

In all 37 samples men rated good looks in their mate more than women In all 37 samples males and females preferred the male to be older In 36/37 samples women rated good financial prospects higher than men did

Good financial prospects was rated low in the Netherlands and Great Britain This was high in Indonesia and Nigeria In 34 samples we rated ambition as more important than men did

Good looks were particularly important for men in Bulgaria and Nigeria In Scandinavian countries chastity was seen as irrelevant But China, India and Indonesia see this as important

Wow, that was a big study! Time for a cup of tea!

Research the following studies (3 min) You will describe the study to the other group. The other group will evaluate it back to you  1) Clarke & Hatfield (1989)  2) Penton-Voak et al (1999)  3)Miller (2007)

 Now consider the following questions and write out your answers/ideas…  In Buss’ study, men showed a distinct preference for younger women. It was suggested that this was because youth was an indicator of fertility. However are there any other explanations for a male preference for younger mates?  What is the problem of Homosexuality for this theory?  What is the problem of Contraception for this theory?

1) How could this explanation be gender biased? (Can a man be sexually promiscuous without willing females?) 2) Wilson: ‘evolutionary psychology simply points out the genes are a strong guide to our behaviour.’ Does this suggest nature or nurture? Determinism or free will? 3) BUT Honeybourne, considered that evolutionary psychology was a form of biological Calvinism whereby your genetics acted as a deterministic factor. Your genes pre-set all of your behaviour, disregarding the role of free will. 4) Rose, a prominent critic of evolutionary psychology, has argued that it is too concerned with the past and thus presents a “Flinstone’s View” of mankind. What could this mean?

What might the following psychologists say about sexual selection as an approach to relationships? Freud Pavlov

Create a PEEL for one Point of Sexual Selection as a theory of relationships…. Look at the mark scheme for a 24 marker and answer the questions.. POINTMake your point. EVIDENCESupport it with psychological research. EXPLAINExplain what the research shows or suggests. LINKLink it back to your point or the question.

Imagine you were another psychologist looking at the theory of Sexual Selection and it’s influence on relationships. You want to weigh up the pro’s and con’s. Consider what we have learned and write a passage evaluating Sexual Selection as a theory of relationships. Consider: 1)Evidence 2)A02 3)IDA (Synoptic A02) 4)Comparisons with other theories/approaches.

Discuss the relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour. (A01 = 8 A02/A03 = 16) Due in one week today!