Informed consent - Genetics - Clark & Hatfield

aim of clark & hatfield

• to investigate the difference in choosiness shown by males and females when approached by a stranger offering sex

method of clark & hatfield

• 48 females and 48 males florida uni students

• five female and four male confederates aged 22, were told to approach member of opposite sex and ask one of the following questions

• would you like to go out with me tonight, would you come over to my apartment, would you have sex with me tonight

• confederates told to only approach pp who they actually would have sex with

results of clark & hatfield

• go on a date got 50% yes from both men and women

• go to apartment got 69% yes from men and 0-6% yes from women

• 69-75% men said yes to sex while no women said yes to sex

conclusion of clark & hatfield

• women have increased choosiness with sexual behaviour

• men less bothered by risky sexual encounter with stranger

• supports evolutionary theory of attraction

relation to informed consent

• pp were not asked for consent and did not agree to pp in study beforehand

• pp not given chance to not participate as they didn’t know that they were participating in a study

informed consent

• pp agreeing to participate in a study and have been given enough info to make an informed decision

• can reduce stress and discomfort from pp because they know what to expect

• gives pp a chance to not participate, which is relevant if there are any negative effects from participating in the study

Evolutionary theory of attraction

• suggests that one way personal relationship can be formed is through sexual selection

sexual selection

• how the best mate is chosen to produce and protect the most healthy offspring

• key for successful reproduction and passing along strong genes

female choosiness

• females choose mate for ability to support and protect children

• they want males who take more risks which convey strength and higher social status which conveys more resources

• females also like secondary sex characteristics as they signify higher testosterone

male choosiness

• chose mate for ability to have children

• prefer females with chastity to ensure the future offspring will be related to himself