...SEXUAL Strategies Theory: An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Mating Winifred Gordon Southern New Hampshire University Sexual Strategies Theory: An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Mating Summary Because of the lower level of minimum parental investment incurred by men, short-term mating will represent a larger component of men’s sexual strategies than women’s sexual strategies (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Mating by Buss & Schmitt examines the background on evolutionary theory when it relates to the human mating strategies. The article expands on how both men and women have particular psychological mechanism that triggers which relationships, short term or long term will help them choose a partner for life, when it relates to mating relationships. The article discussed the effects on long-term relationships and how these types of relationships, compares to the short term, which are known to be called brief affairs, one stand, or temporary liaison time lengths. “Long temporal durations, however, mating relationships can last for a few months, a few days, a few hours, or even a few minutes” (Buss & Schmitt, 1993). The article described key hypotheses and predictions that give an outlined summary on theories that were empirically tested that identify sensitive problem in relations with sexual accessibility fertility, commitment seeking and avoidance, paternity certainty, male and females value, and parental investment. In comparison...
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...very similar looking to humans in their physical appearance. They are even considered to be humans, before we humans came along. When we humans are compared to Neanderthals we are considered to be modern humans. The extinction of Neanderthals could have been caused by many reasons. But scientists believe that the cause of extinction is due to evolutionary forces. There are a few evolutionary forces that may have taken place in the extinction of the Neanderthals. But if we, modern humans, are still alive wouldn’t the species that are similar to us also be alive? This means that the Neanderthals were different from modern humans and evolutionary forces had a role to play. Modern humans and the Neanderthals came from the same linage. Humans did not develop from the Neanderthal. The Neanderthals weren’t studied until a skull was found in Germany (Wong 99). They were classified as a whole different species because of their structural differences. But it turns out that their differences were not so major at all. Compared to the early modern European, Neanderthals had a receding forehead, strong brow ridge, and no chin. The early modern European had steeper forehead, delicate brow ridge, and a chin (Wong 100). The Neanderthals adapted to their environment. An example would be their big bodies that were built as insulation in the severe colds. Although the Neanderthals had a huge skull, their thinking capacity was little to none when compared to the modern humans (Mellars 539). Though...
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...71 Oedipus Complex, Mate Choice, Imprinting; an Evolutionary Reconsideration of a Freudian Concept based on Empirical Studies Tamas Bereczkei and Petra Gyuris∗ University of Pécs, Hungary Freud’s assumption that the Oedipal relationship plays an important part in shaping the future character of mate choice needs a scientific reconsideration that, in turn, requires setting an empirically testable explanation. The authors hypothesize that the close physical and emotional attachment between the mother and her son includes a sexual imprinting-like mechanism that influences the processing of childhood experiences. Here they present a set of experiments showing that adults prefer long-term partners who resemble the mental representation of their parent of the opposite sex. Furthermore, mating preferences were found to be shaped in the process of attachment; those mothers were most frequently used as mental models for their sons’ mate choice who provided more emotional warmth and less avoidance to their sons during childhood. The implications of the study’s results for the contemporary interpretation of Freudian theory are discussed. Key Words: Oedipal relationship; Mate preferences; Evolutionary psychology. Freud’s theory It is well known that the Oedipus complex plays a pivotal role in Sigmund Freud’s theory. This complex characterizes the early stage (between 3-5 years) of boys’ sexual objectchoice (Freud, 1905, 1938). During this period, boys have sexual feelings towards...
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...laws of social interaction, there are characteristics that enhance the probability of reproduction and mating. These strategic non-verbal signals are a reflection of attraction or rejection relating to sexual appeal. The base context of courtship signals are derived from an evolutionary complex that is stemmed from a biological instinct to procreate. Overtime, the ritual of mating has evolved into a social experience, straying away from the idea of being muscle reflex and emerging as more of a strategic dance. Courtship signals can be considered more of an art form; reflecting on the two people involved, their sexual preference, gender role, and exchange of dominance pertaining to the specific environmental setting. Although courting...
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...Discuss the relationship between sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour (24 marks) In this essay I will be discussing the two theories of sexual selection within humans and their reproductive behaviour. The evolutionary explanation of relationships says humans have an innate drive to reproduce and pass on our genes. Sexual selection is a process within natural selection where characteristics are selected because they’re attractive to the opposite sex, and so this increases reproductive success and passes on these traits to their offspring. Sex differences in sexual selection comes from our evolutionary past and so males and females have different reproductive behaviour; these differences are shown from their mate choice (inter sexual selection), mate competition (intra sexual selection) and differences within their short term and long term mating strategies. Males and females differ in mate selection as the different sexes have different needs which are stemmed from our genetic code which has evolved over millions of years. According to the inter sexual selection theory males and females look for different characteristics in a mate and behave differently to attract these mates. It is important to men that women prioritise physical attractiveness and so men are responsive to those who are young and attractive as it connotes that these women are more likely to be fertile and so the man can reproduce and pass on his genes. Therefore, men are attractive to women who...
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...The Evolutionary Psychology of Emotions Abstract This paper will discussed that evolutionary perspective on emotions and behavior may help to resolve its inconsistency. To resolve this inconsistency we will evaluate two evolutionary approaches to emotion, discuss how linking these emotions to specific problems work, and argue that the findings are consistent with the claim that the emotions often display evidence of being intended to help, rather than deter. EVOLUTIONARY THEORIES OF EMOTION Over the years there have been several adaptive-evolutionary treatments of emotion that have developed ( Ekman & Davidson, 1994), there are several evolutionary approaches but the psychological evolutionary approach distinguishes itself by implementing an overtly adaptationist perception (Barkow, Cosmides, & Tooby, 1992). According to research conducted by Buss, Halelton, Shackelford, Bleske, &Wakefeild (1999) adaptionist seem to think that the mind is made up of countless psychological adaptions, which is said to produce natural and sexual selection over several generations throughout human evolution. Emotions can be affective by the ways humans think and behave (Clore, Schwarz, & Conway, 1994). Throughout the years evolutionary approaches for emotions and social decision making changed from hypothetical models to empirical investigations. One of the theoretical approaches used in emotion and decision making is experimental economics which is used to explore...
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...Joe Quirk notes in his book, It’s Not You It’s Biology, “the wombless and bewombed have evolved different emotions when it comes to protecting their reproductive interests. Female jealousy guards resources. Male jealousy guards wombs” (2006, p. 162). Jealousy is created when a human being believes there is a potential threat to a valuable relationship. It can occur in any relationship, but most notably, romantic ones. Men and women experience jealousy differently because it is believed they faced different reproductive obstacles during early human evolution. Men are more likely to exhibit jealousy in response to sexual infidelity, while women are more likely to exhibit jealousy in response to emotional infidelity. Male sexual infidelity stems from the evolutionary reproductive strategy of having as many mates as possible to increase the chances of passing on genes to the next generation. While this tactic may have elevated the need for multiple mates in early human mating, today’s society has enforced a strict relationship between a man and a woman, known as monogamy. In a study conducted by Jeff Ward and Martin Voracek of the School of Psychology at the Australian National University, it was found that of the 268 participants involved, men (44%) were more likely than women (20%) to select sexual intercourse as the most distressing. Also, men (28%) were more likely to find their partner trying different sexual positions more distressing than were women (5%) (2001, p.168). Of...
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...Dispositional, Biological and Evolutionary Theories Paper Diana P. Sanchez PSY/405 September 03, 2014 Sharon Friedman Dispositional, Biological and Evolutionary Theories Paper Personality theories have evolved tremendously in the psychology field. There’s a wide variety of personality theories that have been created over the years. The theorists responsible for their creation have all mainly gathered and altered information from previous theorists and made changes to them; indicating that characteristics of any individual can affect the ideas behind their work (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2013). The comparison between the theories (dispositional, biological and evolutionary), comes to show that theirs many similarities and differences between them; as well as weaknesses to them, and strengths. As further research studies into the definition of human behavior, theorists created tests such as the big five test. Comparison Dispositional personality theory, defines the identity of traits and types of characteristics that help determine one’s personality (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2013). This theory doesn’t eliminate the use of sub-conscious, but its main focus is on the individual and its conscious thoughts as the center point of personality. It comes to prove the free-will of humans, as well as the possibility of human’s ability to determine their future. The theorist’s responsible for this personality theory, are: Gordon Allport (1897-1967), and Robert...
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...Evaluate evolutionary accounts of altruistic behaviour, drawing upon more recent published papers as well as material covered in the core textbook. One enduring question in social sciences and biology is the behaviour of altruism. In a common sense altruism is pro-social behaviour, which is positively seen in today’s society and acted out by helping and behaving favourably towards other individuals without any expectation of a reward. Usually without an immediate external feedback, helping is considered to be rewarding in a sense that it activates the reward centres in the brain. Under evolutionary theory, the behaviour of altruism as the common trait of being unselfish makes little sense. However, the origin of altruism is far more benefit...
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...Dispositional, Biological, and Evolutionary Psychology University of Phoenix Dispositional, Biological, and Evolutionary Psychology Personality theory has come a long way since its beginning in psychology. Many theorists have based their work on theorists before them, but made changes that indicate that the characteristics of the individual affects the ideas behind their work (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2013). Comparing dispositional, biological, and evolutionary theories indicates the similarities and differences between the theories; as well as their strengths and weaknesses. The use of these theories has led to research and tests, such as the big five test, that help indicate personality characteristics of individuals (Feist, et al. 2013). Comparison Dispositional personality theory identifies types and traits of characteristics to help determine personality (Feist, Feist, & Roberts, 2010). It then attributes behavior to these characteristics (Westmont.edu, 2002). Many previous theorists had looked at subconscious thoughts as motivation for human personality and behavior. Dispositional theory does not dismiss the sub-conscious, but focuses on the individual and conscious thought as the center of personality (Westmont.edu, 2002). It centers on humans having free will to determine their future (Fesit et al, 2013). Biological psychology theories are based on what many others theorists denied, that is, that personality and behavior are affected by biology (Feist...
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...“SOCIOBIOLOGY,” AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR Bobbi S. Low W hen Juliet was twelve, her father, without consulting her, betrothed her to a man more than twice her age. She, being in love with Romeo, complained. Her father’s answer was (Act III, Scene V): An you will not wed, I’ll pardon you! Graze where you will, you shall not house with me; … An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend; An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee, Nor what is mine shall never do thee good. Today, in the United States, Juliet would probably sue her father for child abuse. And she would be likely to win. What is common, approved, and thought ethical varies widely across human cultures in time and space: whether one may marry more than one person at a time; who chooses marriage partners; whether abortion and infanticide are approved or forbidden; whether one may eat all meats, some meats, or none; what kinds of killings are forbidden or encouraged. How are we to make sense of all this variety? Human behavior has traditionally been the province of anthropology, sociology, and psychology. Within each of these fields there exist diverse approaches. Recently, behavioral ecology, an evolutionary approach to why we behave as we do, has joined other fields in trying to explain some of the diversity in human behavior. With its roots in Charles Darwin’s work 1 on natural selection, it examines how environmental conditions influence living things. Human behavioral...
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...MEDIA NATURALNESS: A LOOK AT E-COMMUNICATION THROUGH A DARWINIAN THEORETICAL LENS Ned Kock Lehigh University/Temple University Bethlehem, PA/Philadelphia, PA USA nfk2@Lehigh.edu Abstract Modern theories of human evolution converge on the belief that our brain has been designed to cope with problems that occurred intermittently in our evolutionary past. Evidence suggests that, during over 99 percent of the evolutionary process leading to the emergence of our species, our ancestors communicated in a synchronous and colocated manner, and employing facial expressions, body language, and oral speech (what we refer to here, generally, as “face-to-face” communication). Thus, it is plausible to assume that many of the evolutionary adaptations our brain has undergone in connection with communication have been directed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of face-to-face communication, which begs the question: What happens when we selectively suppress face-to-face communication elements (e.g., colocation, the ability to employ/observe facial expressions) through e-communication technologies? This paper tries to provide an answer to this question by developing a hypothesis, called the media naturalness hypothesis, which builds on modern human evolution theory. The media naturalness hypothesis argues that, other things being equal, a decrease in the degree of naturalness of a communication medium (or its degree of similarity to the face-to-face medium) leads...
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...What Men and Women Want in a Mate Maria Morel Florida Atlantic University Introduction In recent decades researchers have generated considerable documentation on the evolutionary psychology of human mating strategies and romantic relationships. Much of this research stems from the features and genetic makeup of hominids, and their reproductive biology. Across mammalian species females are the key factor in reproduction, because they provide almost all of the physiological resources required for the production of offspring. There are many investments that females make when carrying an offspring. They invest themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. This makes females have much lower potential reproductive capacities than males. It started with the work of psychologist David Buss of the University of Texas. In 1985, Buss published an article based on interviews with more than 10,000 participants from 37 cultures. Subjects were given a list of 18 possible characteristics of a mate and asked to rate those characteristics. Almost unanimously both sexes put love, dependable character, emotional stability, and pleasing disposition first. It wasn't until the fifth...
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...Embryonic stem cells versus pronucleus Name Course Institution affiliation Date Embryonic stem cells versus pronucleus Embryonic stem cell and pronucleus techniques have been utilized widely in human cloning. Just as the name suggests, embryonic stem cells are cells derived from the embryos of human beings. The term cloning is used by scientists to describe the variety of processes used in making duplicates of biological materials. This paper will discuss the embryonic cells and pronucleus taking into accounts their application to human cloning. Caenorhadditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster will also be discussed together with application of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Embryonic stem cell has been applied in human cloning through human cloning for biomedical research whereby cloned cells are produced and used in individual patients suffering from diseases like Parkinson’s disease and type 1 diabetes (Fairbanks, 2004). This discovery has been used to develop embryos thus making important steps for medicine. Cloned embryos have been used widely as sources of stem cells, which have been developed to make new heart muscles, bone, brain tissues and other type of cells in the body. The stem cells have provided a breakthrough in medicine by creating new tissues that might be able to heal the damage caused by heart attack or repair severed spinal cord (Fairbanks, 2004). There are trials of utilizing stem cells from donated embryos to try and restore people’s eye sights. The donated...
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...Parental investment is defined as “any investment made by the parent in an individual offspring that increases the offsprings chance of survival.” There are differences in how much each gender invests in their offspring, according to evolutionary theories. Female investment in a child is usually greater. This is because female’s can have limited offspring, whereas men can have potentially an unlimited offspring, as well as this, females also make a greater pre and post natal commitment. The female must carry and nourish the child for 9 months, and then continue breastfeeding and care for the baby once it is born, as the child cannot get this care from the male, the male’s investment is much less, as the male can “opt out” where the mother cannot. The investment made by mothers is also great, as human babies are more dependant and require more care, as they are born less developed than other species. A reason why male investment is less of that than females is because males are always at risk of cuckoldry – investing resources in another man’s child – where females are always certain the child is theirs. Therefore the males invest less in the child, to reduce the risk of cuckoldry and therefore reduce potential resource wasting. Additionally, the risk of cuckoldry means there is more concern from the males over the sexual fidelity of mates, so as their investment is well spent. Conversely, a women’s concern is more prominently over emotional fidelity, as they want to increase...
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