Q: According to parental investment theory, which of the following equations best represents the relationship between parental investment and reproductive success?

$$ RS = f(PI) $$, \\text{where higher parental investment (PI) generally leads to higher reproductive success (RS) for the sex that invests more} $

Question 1

According to Parental Investment Theory, which of the following best explains why females are generally more selective in choosing mates than males?

Accepted Answer

Females invest more resources and energy into offspring, including gestation and post-natal care.

Question 2

Which concept refers to the number of children that a person of a given age and sex is likely to have in the future?

Accepted Answer

Reproductive value

Question 3

The Handicap Principle suggests that certain traits, such as the peacock’s elaborate tail, are favored in sexual selection because:

Accepted Answer

They honestly signal genetic quality by being costly to maintain.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes paternity certainty in humans?

Accepted Answer

Women are 100% certain of their biological relationship to their children, while men are not due to concealed ovulation and possible extra-pair copulations.

Question 5

Which mating system is characterized by one female mating with more than one male, and is considered the most uncommon among mammals?

Accepted Answer

Polyandry

Question 6

According to Buss’ cross-cultural research, which mate preference shows the largest sex difference in importance ranking?

Accepted Answer

Women’s preference for mates with resources

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of neoteny in human mate preferences?

Accepted Answer

Preference for partners with large eyes, smooth skin, and small jaw

Question 8

In the context of human mating, what is the main evolutionary reason for concealed ovulation in women?

Accepted Answer

To encourage continuous male presence and investment by making paternity less certain

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the relationship between sexual dimorphism and mating systems in mammals?

Accepted Answer

Greater sexual dimorphism is associated with polygyny due to increased male-male competition.

Question 10

A man is more likely to invest in a child if he is confident the child is his biological offspring. Which evolutionary concept does this scenario illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Paternity certainty

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a universal mate preference found in Buss’ (1989) cross-cultural study?

Accepted Answer

Preference for short-term mating over long-term commitment

Question 12

According to parental investment theory, which of the following equations best represents the relationship between parental investment and reproductive success?

Accepted Answer

$$ RS = f(PI) $$, \text{where higher parental investment (PI) generally leads to higher reproductive success (RS) for the sex that invests more} $

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why men, on average, prefer younger women as mates?

Accepted Answer

Younger women are more likely to have higher reproductive value, meaning a longer future window for reproduction.

Question 14

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the application of the handicap principle in human mate selection?

Accepted Answer

A man spends significant resources on luxury items to display his wealth, even though it is costly.

Question 15

Which of the following is a likely evolutionary explanation for why human females have permanently enlarged breasts compared to other primates?

Accepted Answer

To signal constant fertility and attract male investment.

Question 16

A woman is more selective about physical attractiveness in short-term mates than in long-term mates. This behavior is best explained by which evolutionary concept?

Accepted Answer

Shopping for genes

Question 17

Which of the following best describes monogamy as a mating system in humans?

Accepted Answer

It is rare among mammals but considered ideal in humans.

Question 18

Which of the following is a real-world example of how parental investment theory can influence human behavior?

Accepted Answer

Women are more likely to seek partners with stable jobs and resources.

Question 19

If a species exhibits high levels of sexual dimorphism, what can you infer about its likely mating system?

Accepted Answer

It is likely to be polygynous, with intense male-male competition.

Question 20

Which of the following best illustrates the concept of reproductive value in a real-world context?

Accepted Answer

A 20-year-old woman is considered to have a higher reproductive value than a 40-year-old woman.

Human Mating and Evolutionary Psychology: Study Notes

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