Long Term Mating Preferences for Males
Introduction to Long Term Mating Preferences
Focus on males' long-term mating preferences in evolutionary psychology.
Two theoretical issues to address:
Why do men engage in long-term mating?
What defines the value of a female mate for males?
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Mating
Mating options influence reproductive potential:
Long-term mating: Male limited by biological capacity of female to produce offspring (approx. 1 child per year over 20-25 years).
Short-term mating: Male can increase reproductive potential significantly; potential for significant reproductive gain (e.g., 4 children per year if mating with 4 females per year).
Reproductive potential increases with short-term mating:
12-fold increase possible with more frequent female access.
Long-term mating prevalence despite greater potential for short-term mating raises questions about its evolutionary advantages.
Reasons for Long-Term Mating
Competition and Female Choice:
Females are more selective; males must compete to gain access to females.
Males must offer qualities that females desire (i.e., investment in long-term relationships).
also get females with most value.. thus more competition
Investment in Offspring:
Both parents can increase offspring survival through investment.
extbf{Paternity Uncertainty}:
Males uncertain of biological paternity in short-term mating situations.
Long-term relationships provide more certainty and opportunities for investment.
Males are more likely to invest if paternity is confirmed by long-term presence.
Increased Offspring Survival:
Children benefit from both mother's and father's care and investment (resources, protection).
Example: In precarious societies like the Ache indians, , the absence of a father dramatically reduces offspring survival rates.
Investment in high-quality offspring requires a secure mating situation which is better facilitated by long-term mating.
Teaching and Social Connections:
Fathers provide not just resources but also social teaching and connections that can benefit children's status.
Children from fathers of higher social status may have greater life opportunities.
Social Benefits for Males:
Societal perceptions favor married men; long-term mating can enhance social status and trustworthiness vs. being a bachelor.
Evolutionary Perspective: Long-term mating may lead to social alliances beneficial for male and offspring's survival.
Female Mate Value and Key Features
Core Features Defining Female Mate Value:
Male's survival and reproductive needs heavily influenced by female mate selection.
Males: less reliant on females for survival, but highly dependent on females for reproductive success.
Concept of Reproductive Capacity
Reproductive Capacity: Key element influencing male’s choice of female mates.
Two dimensions:
Fertility: Probability of conceiving offspring when mating.
Peaks in young adulthood (early 20s) and drops with age.
Reproductive Value: Total potential offspring a female can have over her lifespan.
Influenced by survival into reproductive years as they will also live longer (younger females generally have higher reproductive value).
Factors Defining Reproductive Capacity looked at by men. men should have a preference for these attributes in women.
age
health
other factors like hormones and genes