Biological Approach Studies

Biological Explanations of Attraction

• Focuses on the role of hormones, genetics, and evolution
• Evolutionary explanations
• Genetic and Neurochemical Explanations
• Attraction is a Physiological Response

Evolutionary explanation for partner preferences

• Our behaviours now have a basis on our distant past
• Based on “natural selection”
  • Sexual selection: “best mate” exists to produce and protect offspring
  • Intrasexual selection: competition exists between one’s sexes → access to mates
  • Intersexual selection: choose members of sex based on specific characteristics
• Charles Darwin explained that within each animal species, including humans, there is variation, making people non- identical. Part of the variation comes from differences in individuals’ genes, 50′ per cent inherited from each parent, but genes (strands of DNA) can also undergo mutation, a random change affecting an individual’s physiology and behavior, which sometimes give individuals an advantage when competing for resources such as food, territories and mates.
• The evolutionary approach (also known as the sociobiological explanation) is a biological explanation that sees males and females being subjected to different selective pressures, which causes them to utilize different ways to maximize reproductive potentials.
• Such individuals stand more chance of surviving into adulthood and reproducing offspring who will also have the mutated gene, with the characteristic determined by the mutation becoming more widespread over time. This evolutionary process of gradual changes to our genetic makeup is known as natural selection. One important way in which evolution works to shape human reproductive behavior is that of sexual selection.
• Evolutionary psych proposes that males look for female partners who look young, healthy, and fertile - Some traits that display this are women with clear skin, glossy hair, a symmetrical face, and wide hips for childbearing.
• EvPsych also proposes that women look for men with resources (A good job, money, and stability) that can provide a secure home for the children they produce
• EvPsych also explains the theory of anisogamy or that females are more choosy than males when it comes to their partner - Sperm is cheap, and eggs are expensive. Men produce many spermatozoa a day but women only have one egg a month. Males may also have as much sexual intercourse as they like with no consequence, however a woman has the chance of conceiving, therefore at a higher consequence
• Evolutionary Psychology explains how behaviour (based on Darwin’s theory of Survival of the fittest) such as aggression, memory, language, and partner preference are all products of natural selection
• The process by which behaviours and traits useful for survival and reproduction are retained (The fittest of the species, born to dominate and thrive) and the weaker species will often eventually die out since they are not well adapted to survive and reproduce
• Adaptive Behaviours are those that increase one’s chances of survival and reproductive success, which is how these traits also survive and are passed down generations - Because the fittest will reproduce and pass on the same traits
• This explains that behaviour is a result of ultimate causes or the pressures to survive and reproduce
• Differential Fitness is the term used to describe members of a species with adaptive traits in comparison to those who don’t