Discuss the Relationship Between Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour (8+16)

Sexual selection is an evolutionary process in which desirable charactersics to attract mates are passed on. It can be defined as the survival of the ‘sexiest’ – those who have these traits beneficial for attracting a mate are more likely to gain a mate, have sex and pass the traits on genetically via their offspring. Certain physical characteristic can lead to reproductive success for example an hourglass figure in a female, or wide shoulders in a male. Buss (1989) suggests that males have a preference for women with a ‘hourglass’ shape as this represents fertility. They also prefer women which has a face with child-like features, as this also represents youth and fertility. This explains why women wear eye shadow – they wish to make their eyes bigger to have a child-like desired face. Women on the other hand, have a preference for a man with wide shoulders (triangular shape) as this represents strong genetics and thus protection. Considering the evolutionary approach, it also means that he would have the strength to hunt for food and therefore provide the appropriate resources for the offspring. They also prefer man with a large jaw, prominent cheekbones and facial hair – which is there as a result of high levels of testosterone. This represents health as testosterone supresses the immune system, so only ‘healthy’ individuals can afford to produce these traits.

These ideas are supported by Buss (1989). He studied 37 cultures to see if there is a universal sex difference in the mate preference in males and females. What he found was that men considered physical attractiveness as being the most important, showing strong preference to a hourglass figure. In addition, men of all cultures desired a female mate who is younger than them – this is an indication of health and hence fertility & reproductive value. Women on...