Interpersonal attraction is an inherent element of social interaction. The definition says that attraction is the 'mutual interest and liking between two or more individuals.' (Psychology Dictionary, 2013). This essay will provide consideration whether or not attraction is an evolutionary phenomena. The first part critically introduces the evolutionary approach towards attraction in accordance to methods used to support it. The second part describes alternative, social theories to the phenomena with taking into account research done in this field. In this part similarity and complementarity theories will be supported.
The first assumption of evolutionary theory is that human behaviour has been developed throughout million years from the behaviour of our ancestors. Evolutionary psychologists suggest that basics of behaviour, in this case reasons of attraction towards others did not change at all from that time. Buss (2009) suggests that prehistoric people selected mates according to specific social scheme. He emphasizes on the fact that women preferred industrious and brave mates that bring support for them and their children. He uses the phrase 'imagine living as our ancestors did long ago’ (Buss, 2009:106). The point is that it is impossible to carry out a research about mate preferences of prehistoric humans because none of them can be a whiteness anymore. The only methods that modern person can use to 'examine' the behaviour of his ancestors is imagining and comparing to well-known self-experiences. There is no assurance that people millions years ago used the same way of thinking as they do now. That leads to a paradox: when people try to explain behaviour of their ancestors they use their own experience to do that. As well ...
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We will be focusing more on what one can see in a person rather than what they cannot to show that opposite attraction is false. For instance, appearance is a major factor that can been seen by anyone without even talking to them. However, there are also other factors that one can see in another
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Sexual selection comes in two forms. One, is direct competition between males for access to females. The other is through the females’ choice among possible mates. (pg. 148) In both types of sexual selection, the males compete for the females. The classic sexual selection arguments that Darwin first presented, were improved when genetics discovered how significant sexual recombination was to genetic variability and speciation. In our class discussion we were asked if animals and humans selected their partners in different ways. I agreed as well as disagreed that we are different in our selection. Humans and animals essentially need the same things, and when looking for a partner there isn’t much of a difference. We all look for the partner with the physical aspects that appeal to another, and for protection, the strongest is typically the best mate in both animal and human worlds. But for humans, emotions come into play, and we also chose on personality. One can have all of the qualifications that are “necessary” in the choosing of a mate, but if their personality does not cohabitate with the other party member, they will not be chosen for a lifelong relationship. Nonetheless, emotional choses may be the only true difference we have to that of
Through competition men demonstrate dominance through various ornamental displays. Women, however, compete through signals showing reproductive prowess for genetically fit and reliable (investment for child rearing) mates. Inter-sexual selection further influences sexual influences regarding choosing a mate. Humans desire those who show masculinity, an hourglass figure, and symmetrical facial characteristics. These traits influence who we pick for a mates, possibly more so than other attributes such as: humor and
In this paper I will be discussing two theories that my classmates and myself have learned about during this semester. The main objective is to explain, compare and contrast the theories using the information that we have learned inside of our text books. The two theories that I have chosen to use are the social bonding theory and the self-control theory. I chose these theories because these were the two that I was most interested in during my time of study.
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