PSY BEH 11A Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Oophorectomy, Physical Attractiveness, Human Sexuality
12 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Evolutionary psychology continued: mechanism: most animals are sexually receptive only during certain periods of the year. High estrogen levels are detected by the hypothalamus, which in turn triggers the fixed-action patterns of mating behavior: human sexuality has extended beyond most biological influences. Human females display sexual behaviors throughout the menstrual cycle. Castration and ovariectomy do not diminish sexual behavior: mate selection: attractiveness. Physical attractiveness is not a universal trait. Perceptions of physical attractiveness change over time. Sexual selection in humans selfish gene. Straw man model: males: implanting sperm imposes a low cost. biological fitness is improved by impregnating many females, females: pregnancy and childcare impose a high cos. The number of offspring is limited, so mates should be selected with care: predictions: Males are less committed to relationships than females. Males attracted to youth/ females attracted to resources. Prairie voles form long-term stable bonds between males and females. Pair-bonding is not observed in meadow voles or montane moles.
