Since 1939 the traits that males and females desire when choosing a mate of the opposite gender has remained relatively unchanged. Four characteristics have remained at the top of the list since this study was originally conducted in 1939 these characteristics are; dependable character, emotional stability/maturity; mutual attraction/love; and a pleasing disposition (Henery, Helm, & Cruz, 2103). For this study the researchers duplicated a study that has been replicated several times since the initial study in 1939. The researchers found similar results to those found in the previous studies(s), with one major difference pleasing disposition had dropped slightly. The researchers found that dependable character, emotional stability and mutual …show more content…
attraction/love remained in the top three characteristics in mate selection, but similar religious background moved up the list to number 4 followed by pleasing disposition. This study concluded that over the last 76 years the top traits for mate selection have remained relatively unchanged. Another study looked at the sexual selection theory and how it related to different levels of relationship involvement.
(Buunk, Dijkstra, Fetchenhauer, & Kenrick, 2002). The researchers for this study looked at how the value of different characteristics (Potential income, Education, Attractiveness, self-confidence, dominance and social position), and varied depending on the level of relationship commitment (sexual fantasy, one night stand, being in love, serious relationship, and marriage).In regards to income women desired a mate who had a higher income, while men desired a mate with and income that was equal or similar to theirs. In regards to education women desired a potential mate who had a higher level of education while men desired a mate whose education was similar to theirs. Researchers also found that as relationship commitment decreased the desire for an educated partner decreased. Men were found to desire mates who were more physically attractive than females and the preference for physical attractiveness increased as relationship commitment decreased. In regards to self-confidence males desired mates who were slightly more self-confident than themselves, while females desired mates who were significantly more self-confident than themselves. Regardless of commitment level women desired a mate who was highly intelligent, whereas men’s preferences for an intelligent mate decreased gradually as commitment level decreased. Both males and females reported preferring …show more content…
a mate whose dominance was similar to theirs, though women overall preferred a mate who was slightly more dominant than men (Buunk, Dijkstra, Fetchenhauer, & Kenrick, 2002). Another research study looked at the effects of alcohol and courtship. This study consisted of several gender specific focus groups discussed different topics that related to alcohol consumption. When compared both the male and the female focus groups agreed that they didn’t need to use alcohol to facilitate flirtation. Both males and females agreed that as their intoxication levels increased the level of attractiveness of others in the room increased as well. This study concluded that the participants viewed alcohol as unnecessary but it helps individuals became unconcerned and carefree (effectively works as a social lubricant) (Abrahamson, 2004). The researchers had the participants read about hypothetical sexual encounters at various levels of intoxication, and the participants informed the researchers of their judgements about the hypothetical encounter.
Through using written hypothetical encounters the researchers carefully controlled the information the participants received and other confounding variables (Conner, Sutherland, Kennedy, Grearly, Berry, 2008). The researchers found that alcohol intoxication is more important in relation to men’s decision making than it is for women. Researchers also found that as the men’s intoxication increased so did their intentions to have sex. (Conner et al,
2008) Yet another study looked at the relationship between gender and the number of consequences due to drinking experienced. This study found that men were more likely to have experienced more consequences of drinking. While males were more likely to experience consequences such as injury, unplanned sex and riding with an intoxicated driver, women were found to be significantly more likely to do things they regretted such as unprotected sex, and/or forget what they did or where they were. The most interesting finding of this study was that the researchers found that as women’s alcohol consumption increased their risk for unprotected sex increases, but not in men. (Dumas, Wells, Tremblay, Grahm, 2013) Over the last 20 preferred beverage of young adult has shifted from beer to hard liquor. Also where 20 years ago more men than women reported incidences of binge drinking the trend has shifted and more women than men are now reporting incidents of binge drinking (Hensel, Todd, Engs, 2014) Past research has looked at mate selection, gender, and alcohol (level of intoxication) but usually it focusses on two of the three factors. For the purposes of this study the researchers are looking at the effects of alcohol intake and gender on mate selection. The researchers hypothesized that as alcohol intake increased that males would perceive their selected partner as more attractive.
There is a lot of controversy regarding the use of technologies that allow sex selection. Modern science allows parents to choose the sex of their future child. Although this could be an effective way to determine genetic disorders, I do not support screening to be used solely for sex selection as this can lead to social inequality and gender bias.
Reproduction in Homo sapiens, as in all animals, is a primary driving force and has been elaborated upon since the beginnings of society. Humans must take part in sexual reproduction to produce offspring, thus initiation behaviors can be studied. Commonly, the male makes advances and the female is the selector, or chooses the mate. For humans, this holds true and behavior is modified to maximize competitive receptability. This phenomenon carries across all cultural boundaries and is deeply rooted in the overall behavior patterns in the people of the culture. People try to refine their natural appearance to maximize mating opportunity. The males attempt to enhance features for success in initiation and females compete for receptability completeness.
Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection explains the general laws by which any given species transforms into other varieties and species. Darwin extends the application of his theory to the entire hierarchy of classification and states that all forms of life have descended from one incredibly remote ancestor. The process of natural selection entails the divergence of character of specific varieties and the subsequent classification of once-related living forms as distinct entities on one or many levels of classification. The process occurs as a species varies slightly over the course of numerous generations. Through inheritance, natural selection preserves each variation that proves advantageous to that species in its present circumstances of living, which include its interaction with closely related species in the “struggle for existence” (Darwin 62).
Natural and sexual selection are not random processes. If there is no difference between the individuals within the species there would be no selection. Sexual selection is related to mating, it acts on individual’s ability to obtain or successfully copulate with a partner. The idea of sexual selection was introduced by Charles Darwin in 1871; he revealed that there are organisms with traits which are not explained by the concept natural selection, for example the tail of a male peacock. His found two main ways in which sexual selection works, these are intra-sexual competition and inter-sexual selection. Intra sexual competition happens within species, usually between males. They compete against each other to be chosen as a mate by a member of opposite sex. Inter-sexual selection is choosing a mate among the members of opposite sex, usually done by females.
Darwin's theory of sexual selection is an intriguing one because it offers an explanation of human striving and cultural value systems. The theory is that humans who are more sexually desirable will have more offspring and thus their traits will be passed on to future generations to a greater extent than those of less sexually desirable humans. As opposed to Darwin's other theory, natural selection, those who are the best adapted to their environment will be more likely to pass on their genes, or, "survival of the fittest", you might call sexual selection "survival of the sexiest." The theory is intended to in part explain why, when humans diverged from other primates, the human brain tripled in size in just two million years. At first glance, this theory also seems to explain much of the motivation behind human culture and achievement. Upon closer inspection, there are some fairly conspicuous problems with it, especially when it is extended to describe not only human evolution in the distant past but it the present, but it may still be the most plausible explanation available to explain why humans mental capacities have expanded so far beyond those of our primate relatives.
...ive in their agreement with premarital sex. A relationship, although very minor, was noted between those who were the most okay with pre-marital sex were the women who were more open and high viewers. We found a main effect for frequency alone, but not one for level of openness on its own. There was an interaction effect for the two independent variables because the lines are not parallel (as shown below). Heavy viewers who were also more open about their sexuality agreed with pre-marital sex more than just a factor alone.
The structure of this essay is based on animals and humans mate choice strategies and gender differences and similarities. These factors are intertwined with males and females reproduction success for choosing the right mate and bearing the parental cost involved in the offspring upbringing. (Trivers, 1972, 1985).Animal males from the evolutionary perspectives seek fertile, strong, females as a security for their offspring reproduction. These males’ strategize for their mate choice by advertising their masculinity as men ready for a mate. (Buss & Barnes, 1986; Buss, 1987).The female animals chooses mate base on their sense of security so they prefer males capable to protect and bear the cost of parenting with them.(Trivers,1972).In humans, females prefer wealthy men with high status as mate (Bjorklund & shackleford, 1999; Buss, 1992) whereas males prefer to date young attractive females who considers as fertile with the ability for genes reproduction.
Introduction The topic of gender differences must understandably be approached with caution in our modern world. Emotionally charged and fraught with ideas about political correctness, gender can be a difficult subject to address, particularly when discussed in correlation to behavior and social behavior. Throughout history, many people have strove to understand what makes men and women different. Until the modern era, this topic was generally left up to religious leaders and philosophers to discuss. However, with the acquisition of more specialized medical knowledge of human physiology and the advent of anthropology, we now know a great deal more about gender differences than at any other point in history.
For centuries now, we have been taught by society that being monogamous is the socially accepted norm. In fact, having more than one marital or sexual partner in many cultures is considered to be taboo. Yet that leaves many people wondering how that tradition was even constructed and whether or not we should continue to live in a monogamous manner. In this paper, we are going to examine if being monogamous is truly a part of human nature and whether or not we are meant to be with only one marital or sexual partner throughout the course of our lives. Now more so than ever, society is moving in a direction that challenges traditional ways of life and many people are no longer following this socially constructed norm. In fact, monogamy has become a very popular, controversial topic that is continuously being addressed by the media and it has people second-guessing if remaining monogamous fits their ideal lifestyle. This is an especially important topic for our generation, due to the fact that we are currently at the stage in our lives where we set goals for ourselves that will pave the roads of our futures. Deciding whether or not to be monogamous is just as important as picking career paths and it holds just as much significance in the way it affects the rest of our lives. This is a problem in relational communication because whether we decide to be monogamous or non-monogamous, our decision will ultimately affect the way we interact with others and the way we approach intimate relationships. With today’s society slowly moving against monogamy, it’s time to decide if limiting ourselves to one marital and sexual partner is really in our nature, or if it’s just a tradition of the past that no longer holds the social significance that ...
In Prenger’s editorial I agree in some respect with his idea of 3 qualities that the fairer sex looks for but, I also believe that there is more to what a woman wants. Prenger clams that women want a man who is strong, has integrity, and ambition. These qualities do make and admirable man but, there is more to finding a sole mate than that.
Social reproduction is the reproduction of cultural, human, and social capital in society. Therefore languages, traditions, cultural values, education, food security, and social circles are passed down from one generation to the next through Karl Mannheim’s concept of “fresh contact” and through society as a whole. Social reproduction is effective when social structures and equality within society are maintained. Inequality, poverty, and social changes that force society to adapt can impede the process of social reproduction causing what is known as a “crisis in social reproduction” (Wells, 2009). Born into Brothels demonstrates a crisis of social reproduction that negatively impacts the lives of children living in Sonagachi as a result of globalization, neoliberal policies, poverty, lack of adequate education and social structures to pass down capital, and the stigma of prostitution. Additionally, it shows the need for children to make economic contributions to their families that prevent them from leaving the brothel.
Stroebe, W., Insko, A., Thompson, D., & Layton, D. (1971). Effects of physical attractiveness, attitude similarity, and sex on various aspects of interpersonal attraction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 18, 79-91.
“From this moment, I, take you, as my best friend for life. I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you through our walk together. I promise to provide for your needs and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you. This is my solemn vow” (Daversa). This vow is an example of words expressed between a man and woman on their wedding day as they face one another and declare their love in front of family and friends. However, when the same man says these words on more than one occasion to different women, then the validity is called into question. Monogamy is the practice or state of being married to, or having a sexual relationship with one person at a time (Little et. al. 1275). Although rare, monogamous relationships can be observed among animals in the wild. Beavers, which mate for life, use their union as a survival tool to construct and maintain their dams (Caraza). While humans are considered animals, they have developed beyond their counterparts to develop a whole set of complicated emotions - love, jealousy, rage, and depression. Generally, animals have no need for emotional fulfillment. Their brains do not have the capacity to house these feelings that humans have come to develop. Humans, on the other hand, have emotional needs, and among these are to express love and to receive love in return. Man's greatest fear is loneliness, and monogamy helps give humans that deep, emotional connection with another human being that we all need to survive (Becker 34). Monogamy provides individuals with emotional and physical stability that cannot be achieved with alternatives to monogamy.
Sexual selection is the characteristics that are exaggerated beyond what is needed for survival or reproduction, due to combat, preference for the trait by the opposite sex or sperm competition (L. Meek, Personal Communication, February 10, 2016). The male and female choices must be important in the human evolution of exaggerated characteristics because we are visual animals; we tend to use our visual ability to influence our decisions in various aspects of our lives. Both sexes are choosy about physical appearance, males and females have different body traits shaped by sexual selection. As Miller (2000) noted, males are taller, heavier on average, higher metabolic rates, upper body strength, more hair, and deeper voices. Women have enlarged
It was deemed that, the higher the status of the mate the greater his ability to control his resources. In several cultures around the globe, the term ‘high status’ is associated with intelligence, emotional stability and wealth, whereby these are all desirable traits (Furnham 2001). Surprisingly in my culture, most women are not interested in some of these traits. Men, who are different in solving the problem of selecting a mate. They detect high reproductive potential in women by favoring features that indicates youth or fertility. These features comprise of: clear eyes, lustrous hair, clear skin and full lips etc. These features designates that a woman is at her maximum reproductive potential. Although both gender values a particular feature in their mates, female’s level are high, due to adequate investment that are greater on their end. Therefore we see the evolutionary theory play a part whereby ‘survival of the fittest’ where the males compete, and the man with the resources that can provide will avail. This goes back to the animal world, for example the peacock and its tail, attracting the