The evolutionary theory argues that humans are motivated to...

Key Concepts

Evolutionary Theory

This theory posits that the traits which increase an individual’s chances of survival and successful reproduction are more likely to be passed on to future generations. It provides a framework to understand why certain physical and behavioral traits become prevalent in a population over time as they improve reproductive success.

Sexual Selection

A component of evolutionary theory, sexual selection refers to the process by which traits become more or less common depending on an individual’s ability to attract and secure mates. This process explains how certain features, which may not necessarily contribute to survival, can be favored because they enhance mating success.

Parental Investment Theory

This theory suggests that the amount of energy and resources one parent contributes to the offspring influences mate selection strategies. It helps explain why, in many species, including humans, men and women might prioritize different traits in potential mates, with those traits reflecting expectations about parental effort and genetic quality.

Sexual Dimorphism

This concept describes the differences in appearance and traits between males and females of a species. In the context of human attraction, traits that typically emphasize physical strength or dominance in men and youthfulness or fertility in women can be understood as expressions of sexual dimorphism shaped by evolutionary pressures.

Indicator Traits

These are physical or behavioral characteristics that signal an individual’s genetic quality, health, or reproductive fitness to potential mates. Traits such as facial symmetry, body shape, or even behavioral displays can serve as honest signals of good genes and high reproductive potential, which are crucial in mate selection.

Transcript

00:01 So this question is asking, the evolutionary theory argues that humans are motivated to perpetuate their genes and reproduce.

00:09 Using an evolutionary perspective describe traits in men and women that humans find attractive.

00:16 So in speaking about attraction and the formation of relationships, initially what people look at first is attractiveness.

00:27 And this is more so looking at the physicality.

00:30 And this is exhibited by both men and women in that when looking at potential, essentially potential mates in women, men tend to look for women with large eyes, high cheekbones, narrow jaw line, and slender build and a lower waist -to -hip ratio.

00:49 While today we might kind of just think of that as, you know, typical beauty standards, what's dubbed as sexy.

00:57 Evolutionarily speaking, that speaks to someone who looks, essentially more healthy and the healthier someone looks, the more healthy they probably are essentially, and the more likely they'll be able to reproduce.

01:11 And it goes the same way with men who are tall, having broad shoulders and the narrow waist, again goes to that sort of healthy looking look, but also a look that you, the build that you would have to, in order to survive.

01:26 Obviously, when looking at men who are originally seen as kind of the providers for the family, you need to have like this strong build and that's essentially i guess what women looked for.

01:37 Evolutionarily speaking.

01:39 So i'm talking about men and women and looking at physicality, it's really towards what's healthy looking in order to reproduce.

01:52 Narrowing on just women, skills that are attractive in women aside from what's physical is traits of warmth, affection, and social skills.

02:02 So i'm just going to dub that as emotional...

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