Evolutionary Psychology Test 2

Parental Investment Theory

men evolved a greater desire for casual sex.

reproductive advantage is increased offspring production.

Potential Costs of Short Term Mating For Bed

STD’s, Social Reputation, Child Survival, Violence From Mates Partners.

Adaptive Problems Men Must Solve

• Partner number or variety – Desire for multiple mates.

• Sexual accessibility – Preference for sexually available women.

• Identifying fertility – Preference for cues of fertility.

• Avoiding commitment – Preference for low-investment partners.

Sperm Competition Theory

the evolutionary hypothesis that when females mate with multiple males within a short timeframe, the sperm of different males compete to fertilize her egg.

Evidence Supporting Sperm Competition Theory

Physiological Evidence

• Testicle size – Indicating sperm competition.

• Variations in sperm insemination – Increased sperm count after separation from a mate.

Psychological Evidence

• Desire for a variety of sex partners – Men desire more partners than women.

• Time elapsed before seeking intercourse – Men seek sex sooner.

• Lowering of standards – Men lower standards for short-term mates.

• Sexual fantasies and sex drive – More frequent and variety-seeking fantasies in men.

Behavioral Evidence

• Extramarital affairs – More frequent in men.

• Prostitution and OnlyFans – Men are primary consumers.

• Hookup culture, FWB relationships, and social media (e.g., Snapchat, Tinder) – Men more likely to pursue short-term sex.

Evidence for Women’s Short-Term Mating

• Women engage in casual sex across cultures.

• Orgasm function – Potential role in sperm selection.

• Timing of affairs – Occur during peak fertility.

Hypotheses About Adaptive Benefits for Women

• Resource Hypotheses – Gaining resources, protection, or social status.

• Genetic Benefit Hypotheses – Securing better genes for offspring.

• Mate-Switching Hypotheses – Replacing or securing a better mate.

• Short-Term for Long-Term Goals Hypothesis – Evaluating potential long-term mates.

• Mate Manipulation Hypothesis – Increasing commitment or revenge.

Costs of Short-Term Mating for Women

• Reputational damage

• Risk of physical abuse

• Pregnancy without male investment

• STDs and competition among offspring

Psychological and Physiological Adaptations

• Sexual jealousy – Emotional response to infidelity, motivating mate guarding.

• Attraction-reduction effect – Decline in attraction after sex, possibly reducing commitment.

Physiological adaptations are biological traits that have evolved to improve reproductive success and survival. In mating, these include:

• Testicle size – Larger testes indicate sperm competition in species with multiple mating partners.

• Sperm competition mechanisms – Increased sperm production after time apart from a mate.

• Time to copulation differences – Men are more likely to seek sex quickly compared to women.

• Mate guarding behaviors – Physical and hormonal responses to reduce partner infidelity risks.