 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
Define Dimorphism,
Apply to examples
Create perfect mate
SS = the processes through which men
& women attempt to maximise their
chances of reproductive success
Even though
they don’t
necessarily aid
our survival
Since
reproduction is
more important
than survival (I.e.
natural selection)
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
Define Dimorphism,
Apply to examples
Create perfect mate
What characteristics
would indicate good
resources?
Economic & financial security,
good job, well educated,
interpersonal skills, status, etc
What characteristics Good health, so skin, hair, weight,
would indicate good facial symmetry, BUT also traits that
are disadvantaged (think about
genes?
the peacock’s tail)
What characteristics Good skills, so caring, affectionate,
would indicate good strong, protective, ability to
parents?
provide, nurture, etc
Define Dimorphism,
Apply to examples
Create perfect mate



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) 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
Define Key Terms,
Explain terms,
Apply to mating strategies
Sex differences in
human mate
preferences’
‘
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
THIS IS BUSS…
How can I find
out about male
and female
mate
preferences
…HE’S
I know, I’ll do a
questionnaire
INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT MEN
AND WOMEN GO FOR IN A MATE
Fill in your
age, gender
and marital
status
17,
Female,
single
25, Male,
single
32,
Female,
Married
41, Male,
single
 How
important 18
characteristics were to
them, including…
 At
what age they
wanted to marry

 How
big they like the
age gap to be
between themselves
and their partner



Good job
Good looks
Chastity
Ambition
 Which
 How
many children
they want
characteristics
were most desirable
including…


Describe evidence,
Good earning capacity
Physical attractiveness
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
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
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
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)
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA

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?
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
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?
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
What might the following psychologists say about sexual
selection as an approach to relationships?
Pavlov
Describe evidence,
Freud
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
Create a PEEL for one Point of Sexual Selection as a theory of
relationships….
POINT
EVIDENCE
Describe evidence,
Make your point.
Look atitthe
mark
Support
with
scheme for a
24 marker
psychological
research.
and answer the
questions..
EXPLAIN
Explain what the
research shows or
suggests.
LINK
Link it back to your point
or the question.
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
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.
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA
Discuss the relationship between
sexual selection and human
reproductive behaviour.
(A01 = 8 A02/A03 = 16)
Due in one week today!
Describe evidence,
Evaluate using A02
Evaluate using good IDA