Human Reproductive Behaviour

Intra-sexual selection

A quick reminder
Intra-sexual selection refers to males competing with other males for access to females.

Sperm competition theory

Sexual monogamy is not the norm in humans. Females shop around for the best quality sperm. Sperm competition occurs when sperm from two or more males compete to fertilise a females egg. Men can vary the ejaculate size dependent on likelihood of competition. Competition can also occur after copulation.

Baker (1996) Kamikaze Sperm Hypothesis

When there has been a double mating (within 5 days), sperm from different males compete. ~BLOCKERS Older, slow sperm that lodges in the cervical channel and blocks rival sperm from entering. ~KILLER SPERM Seek & destroy sperm, containing chemicals that kill sperm from rival males. ~EGG GETTERS Athletic sperm that fertilises the egg. ~ FAMILY PLANNING SPERM Destroy the egg getters if it is not in the males interests to impregnate the female.

Baker & Bellis (1993) Fighting for Female Orgasms

Female orgasms have evolved to manipulate outcome of sperm competition. Muscular contractions of orgasms pull sperm closer to the egg. Sequence & frequency of copulations and timing & intensity of orgasms affect outcome of sperm competition.

Shackelford et al (2000) Hot Guys Give More Satisfaction

Used self reports from 388 female heterosexual undergraduates in committed relationships. Survey asked about age / attractiveness of partner and satisfaction with the relationship. Partners of more attractive men more likely to report an orgasm at most recent copulation.

Pollett & Nettle (2009) Chinese Whispers

Used data from Chinese Health & Family Life Survey. Found strong positive correlation between frequency of female orgasm and partners income.
How do these findings relate to evolutionary theory?

Explanations for female mate choice

Fishers (1930) Good Taste Hypothesis

Zahavis (1975) Good Genes Hypothesis

Fisher (1930) Good Taste Hypothesis

A woman chooses a man because he has a sexy characteristic (eg. Big nose) Any male children she has will inherit this characteristic and will be more desirable to women. Over generations the characteristic becomes more pronounced (runaway process) Stops when the trait becomes too costly or female preference changes.

Zahavi (1975) Good Genes Hypothesis

Males who survive in spite of having a handicap will be genetically superior to other males. Parasite mediated sexual selection functioning of immune system compromised by development of secondary sexual characteristics. Increased testosterone levels weaken immune system & increase vulnerability to parasites. Males with best secondary sexual characteristics also strong, healthy and resilient.

Parental Investment
Batemans principle
Females are limited to producing approx 300 eggs in a lifetime Men produce 40-600 million sperm in a single ejaculation. Women are more discriminating in mate choice because mating is more costly for them. Men benefit from mating freely and spreading their plentiful sperm widely .

Trivers Theory

Developed Batemans principle to incorporate gestation, protection and feeding. When the amount of energy that each sex devotes to parental care is different, the sex with the greater burden will be the choosier.

Clark & Hatfield (1989)

Voulez vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
Attractive confederates approached opposite sex strangers on a university campus & asked one of three questions: Would you go out with me tonight? Would you come over to my apartment tonight? Would you go to bed with me tonight?

Clark & Hatfield cont

Question Female positive response 50% 6% 0% Male positive response 50% 69% 75%

1 2 3

Women mate wisely whilst men mate widely

Daly & Wilson (1988b) Deadly Step-Fathers

Children under the age of 2 are AT LEAST 60 times more likely to be killed by a step-parent.
How would evolutionary theory explain this?

Anderson et al (1999) Bad Dad / Good Step-Dad

Measured willingness to pay for childrens college education as measure of paternal investment. Men most willing to pay when living with childs mother. Men did not discriminate between step child in current relationship and own child from previous relationship.
Does this support evolutionary theory? How can you explain the findings?