Discuss the Relationship Between Sexual Selection and Human Reproductive Behaviour.

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Sexual selection classified by Darwin. In humans, intersexual selection applies, involving members of one sex choose who they want to mate with from the opposite sex. Women choose partners and men compete. Sexy sons’ hypothesis: relates to inter sexual selection, showing women choose their partner depending on what features he has. She chooses the most desirable characteristics that her offspring might inherit. This means that her son will have a lot of mating opportunities and is able to pass down his genes. For example peahens will mate with the peacock with the biggest tail. Research support for this process in humans by Waynforth who found women preferred men with strong jaws C the evolutionary approach is also supported by Zahavi in the handicap hypothesis that states that characteristics are attractive as they demonstrate good genes. A in the peacock, large tails make them more prone to being attacked and require a lot of energy to grow. In humans, a strong jaw is produced by large amounts of testosterone which lowers immune system. Therefore, they must have strong genes to adapt to this development without becoming ill. P&E further support by Bruce and Young who found men and women preferred symmetrical faces. A this characteristic is the product of no/little disease in the womb, also suggesting strong genes. C Langlois’ research shows that babies under 12 months will spend more time looking at attractive faces. This shows that preferences are innate as babies have not yet learnt what is deemed as attractive or not. AO1: Evidence for sexual selection is based on the attraction to resources. Women are impressed by men with resources and qualities such as ambition which suggests they will have increasing amounts of resources. Swallows impress females by regurgitating food to show that they can provide for future offspring. Buss did a cross

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