(Lec. 13) Paternity, Fidelity and the Role of Fathers

These flashcards cover key concepts related to paternal investment, observational methods, and cross-cultural trends in fatherhood.

What are the two key observational methods in HBE?

Quantitative and Observational methods.

What type of data was collected during field research in Grande Anse?

Behavioral observations, genealogies, mating histories, land ownership, and residence.

What is the purpose of the behavioral observation route instantaneous scan sample?

To collect objective measures of behavior, particularly in mating relationships.

In mammals, what percentage of species typically have males that provide no parental care?

95%.

What is one significant ecological influence that contributes to the evolution of monogamous pair bonds?

Scarce or unpredictable resources that lower female density.

What is Hamilton's Rule in relation to paternal investment?

It suggests that investing in offspring you're genetically related to improves fitness.

How do fathers typically compare to mothers in terms of direct care across human societies?

Fathers usually provide less direct care than mothers.

What positive impact does father involvement have on children?

Infants with involved fathers exhibit better cognitive development.

What role do Aka fathers play in terms of cooperative hunting?

They cooperate with mothers in subsistence activities, including hunting.

How do Tsimane fathers adjust their childcare responsibilities?

They modulate their care based on the activities of their wives.

What are two hypotheses that predict Tsimane paternal care-giving?

Paternal Investment and Signaling.

What is the conflict potential surrounding marriage payments involving fathers?

Conflict may arise between fathers and sons over bridewealth.

How do older daughters influence men's caregiving?

The presence of older daughters may reduce the amount of direct care men provide to younger offspring, as daughters often take on childcare roles.

Describe parental investment among the Ache people.

Ache fathers are known for significant direct parental investment, including provisioning resources (like meat from hunting) and direct childcare, crucial for offspring survival and well-being. Notably, skilled Ache hunters were observed to treat their children better than unskilled hunters, reflecting their enhanced provisioning capabilities.