Mate Selection Theories

             To describe men and women's differential preferences in mate
             selection, I am going to use the following theories: 1) sexual selection
             theory, 2) parental investment theory, and 3) social learning theory, and
             4) sexual strategies theory. All of these theories have been used to
             explain why men and women have differential preferences in mate selections.
             In the evolutionary approach, biological fitness is defined as
             reproductive success. Therefore, understanding particular behavioral sex
             differences is of great interest to evolutionists. Reproduction is central
             to the evolutionary process and no domain is closer to reproduction than
             sexuality. Darwin (58) adopted phrase "survival of the fittest" to
             summarize the process of natural selection, but this choice was
             unfortunate. Survival is certainly critical. Many adaptations of organisms
             exist because they successfully overcame the forces that impeded survival,
             such examples are parasites, diseases, food shortages, predators, and
             Darwin (67) also fashioned the use of term what he believed to be a
             second evolutionary process, which he called sexual selection. According to
             sexual selection theory, characteristics that give organisms an advantage
             in the competition for mates can also evolve. Sexual selection can operate
             through two processes. The first is intrasexual or same-sex competition. If
             members of one sex compete with one another, and the victors of these
             competitions gain preferential sexual access to mates, then these useful
             qualities lead to success in same-sex competitions will be selected and can
             evolve over time. These might include athletic ability, social skills to
             enlist allies, or even a sense of humor that deters a rival. The key point
             is that whatever qualities lead to success in same-sex competitions can
             evolve because of the reproductive advantage that accrues to the victor
             The second component...

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