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...