Evolutionary Theory of Parental Investment and Sexual Selection Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What defines biological sex in sexually reproducing species?

The number of offspring produced

The size of the sex cells (correct)

The physical size of the organism

The mating rituals and behaviors

What is the key factor influencing the nature of mating in sexually reproducing species?

Territorial dominance

Physical attractiveness

Genetic compatibility

Parental investment (correct)

What is the difference in the quantity of gametes produced by males and females?

Males produce fewer sperm, while females produce more eggs

Males produce millions of sperm, while females produce a few hundred eggs (correct)

Males produce larger gametes, while females produce smaller gametes

Males and females produce an equal number of gametes

Where does fertilization and gestation occur in sexually reproducing species?

Internally in females Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant parental investment for women resulting from sexual intercourse?

4-year breastfeeding period Signup and view all the answers

In some species, what may lead to female competition for high-investing males?

Males investing more in reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What do females undergo, resulting in significant parental investment among mammals and primates?

Internal fertilization and gestation Signup and view all the answers

What did women's evolutionary past lead to, in terms of mating behavior?

Selective mating behavior Signup and view all the answers

According to Trivers's theory, who will be more selective about mating?

The sex investing more in offspring Signup and view all the answers

What leads to choosiness in mate selection for both men and women in long-term mating?

Heavy investment in children Signup and view all the answers

What does evolutionary psychology suggest ancestral women preferred in men?

Generous men Signup and view all the answers

What do women's preferences prioritize in men's traits according to evolutionary psychology?

Adaptively valuable traits Signup and view all the answers

What do mate seekers gauge in a prospective partner according to the text?

Both current attributes and future potential Signup and view all the answers

What do women's preferences track in a man's value as a mate?

Critical components of adaptively valuable traits Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for women to evaluate and integrate about a prospective mate according to the text?

Psychological mechanisms Signup and view all the answers

What is required to weigh relevant attributes and integrate knowledge for selecting a mate?

Ability to weigh relevant attributes and integrate knowledge Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolutionary Theory of Parental Investment and Sexual Selection

Sexual intercourse can lead to a 9-month investment for women, including breastfeeding that can last up to 4 years.
In some species, males invest more in reproduction, leading to female competition for high-investing males.
Among mammals and primates, females undergo internal fertilization and gestation, resulting in significant parental investment.
Women's evolutionary past led to selective mating behavior due to the risks and costs associated with investing in offspring.
Trivers's theory predicts that the sex investing more in offspring will be more selective about mating.
Both men and women invest heavily in children for long-term mating, leading to choosiness in mate selection.
Evolutionary psychology suggests that ancestral women preferred generous men as they aided in survival and reproductive success.
Men vary in numerous characteristics relevant to mate selection, and women's preferences evolved to prioritize adaptively valuable traits.
Mate seekers gauge a prospective partner's future potential in addition to their current attributes.
Women's preferences track critical components of a man's value as a mate, but assessing a man's true qualities can be challenging.
Psychological mechanisms are necessary for women to evaluate and integrate knowledge about a prospective mate to make a final decision.
Selecting a mate requires the ability to weigh relevant attributes and integrate knowledge for the final decision.

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Description

Test your understanding of the Evolutionary Theory of Parental Investment and Sexual Selection with this quiz. Explore the concepts of mate selection, parental investment, and selective mating behavior as predicted by Trivers's theory and evolutionary psychology.