Buss Study: Differences in Human Mate Preferences Essay Example
PY2: Sex Differences in human mate preference
SECTION A: Question 1- Summarise the aims and context of Buss (12 marks)
Buss aimed to investigate if evolutionary explanations for sex differences in human mate preferences are found in varying cultures such as locations, ethnicity and religion. It was predicted that women preferred men who are ambitious, hardworking and financially well-off. Men preferred women who are young, attractive and chaste.
Charles Darwin suggested that choosing a mate was a matter of evolution because it determined which members of species get to reproduce and pass on their genes to future generations. Thornhill and Thornhill proposed that individuals lacking preferred characteristics will not be selected to mate and will not become people’s ancestors. It also demonstrates the current direction of sexual selection, by letting us know which characteristics are desirable.
Trivers believes that the characteristics that males and females find desirable are affected by ‘parental investment’ (how much time and effort the parents contribute to the development of their offspring). Females invest more time and energy in reproduction than men. Men invest as little as a few minutes of casual sex impregnating a woman who will carry the child for 9months and take the responsibility of raising the child to adulthood, therefore women tend to be fussier in their mate choice. Alexander and Noonan argue that females aim to seek a mate who can provide resources such as shelter, food and protection. These characteristics in a male will benefit the female with material advantages and also her offspring if the characteristics of acquiring resources are heritable. Willerman suggest that in human resources typically translate into earning potential. Women should therefore value characteristics such as ambition and hard working in potential mates.
Fertility and Reproductive value are two factors important to men in mate selection. Men’s access to fertile
SECTION A: Question 1- Summarise the aims and context of Buss (12 marks)
Buss aimed to investigate if evolutionary explanations for sex differences in human mate preferences are found in varying cultures such as locations, ethnicity and religion. It was predicted that women preferred men who are ambitious, hardworking and financially well-off. Men preferred women who are young, attractive and chaste.
Charles Darwin suggested that choosing a mate was a matter of evolution because it determined which members of species get to reproduce and pass on their genes to future generations. Thornhill and Thornhill proposed that individuals lacking preferred characteristics will not be selected to mate and will not become people’s ancestors. It also demonstrates the current direction of sexual selection, by letting us know which characteristics are desirable.
Trivers believes that the characteristics that males and females find desirable are affected by ‘parental investment’ (how much time and effort the parents contribute to the development of their offspring). Females invest more time and energy in reproduction than men. Men invest as little as a few minutes of casual sex impregnating a woman who will carry the child for 9months and take the responsibility of raising the child to adulthood, therefore women tend to be fussier in their mate choice. Alexander and Noonan argue that females aim to seek a mate who can provide resources such as shelter, food and protection. These characteristics in a male will benefit the female with material advantages and also her offspring if the characteristics of acquiring resources are heritable. Willerman suggest that in human resources typically translate into earning potential. Women should therefore value characteristics such as ambition and hard working in potential mates.
Fertility and Reproductive value are two factors important to men in mate selection. Men’s access to fertile