GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MATE SELECTION

Evolutionary theory is often invoked to explain gender differences in mate selection. If the motive to reproduce explains men's attraction to young (pretty) women and women's attraction to financially stable men—as evolutionary psychologists claim—then how does it explain the increasing number of women who do not depend on men for financial stability because they are themselves economically independent?

Or, how does one explain the increasing number of women who choose not to have children? If they do not plan to have children, then they certainly do not need a financially stable mate committed to the long-term care of offspring they do not intend to have. Or, how can evolutionary theory explain the increasing number of women who are not married yet have children?

For this Discussion, you will examine conditions that influence diffusion of responsibility from the perspective of mate selection. 

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources. 

WEEKLY RESOURCES

• Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (Eds.). (2019). Social psychology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
  
  • Chapter 10, “Attraction and Relationships: From Initial Impressions to Long-Term Intimacy”
  • Chapter 11, “Prosocial Behavior: Why Do People Help?” 
• Note: Viewing media and interactives embedded in the electronic version of this course text is not required for this course.
• Darley, J. M., & Latané, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social PsychologyLinks to an external site., 8(4), 377–383.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0025589
• Latané, B., & Darley, J. M. (1968). Group inhibition of bystander intervention in emergencies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,Links to an external site. 10(3), 215–221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0026570 

TO PREPARE

• Review the Learning Resources for this week and examine how social psychology theories and research explain mate selection.
• Compare evolutionary theory and social psychology theories as they apply to mate selection.

Post whether or not the rules of attraction change for women as a function of their economic independence. Explain whether or not the rules of attraction are biological imperatives or cultural constructions, or both. Please use social psychology theory to refute claims based on evolutionary theory.

Respond to at least one of your colleagues in the following way:

Informed by social psychology theory and research, explain how your colleague’s analysis might differ if applied cross-culturally.