PSYCH 300:  HUMAN DIVERSITY
 The Psychology of Individual Differences

 Quiz 7 - April 25, 2000

1.  Briefly identify the following (1 point each):

a.  natural selection:  survival of the fittest; selection for characteristics leading to greater fitness (number of surviving and reproductively viable offspring)

b.  intra-sexual selection:  male-male competition (males competing with each other for reproductive access to females)

c.  inter-sexual selection: female choice (females being "choosier" in selecting their mates)

NOTE THERE WAS PREVIOUSLY AN ERROR IN THE ABOVE TWO ANSWERS ON THIS WEB PAGE. THESE ARE NOW THE CORRECT ANSWERS.

d.  reciprocal altruism;  "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."  Being altruistic (providing resources at one's own expense) for those who do the same in return for you.

2.  List three variables typically used to determine, by definition, a person's "social status". (3 points)

education, occupational prestige, income (or financial status).  (Some might say that parental or spousal social status might be used in place of one's own, in cases of young or female subjects.  Or they might say that self-rated social status is another measure.  You could get partial credit for these, but really the first three elements are the obvious answer.)
 

3.  Briefly describe how parental investment differs between males and females in most species.  What are two important ways in which differential parental investment may lead to sex differences in preferred characteristics of a mate? (3 points)

Females have relatively fewer, larger gametes (eggs) with more nutrients, and they invest considerably more time and effort in carrying and raising offspring compared to males.  Males have considerably more gametes (sperm) which are replenished on a daily basis, and are not technically required to invest time and effort (beyond conception) in individual offsring.  As a result, several possible sex differences are:

•  females are more selective in who they mate with;
•  females have fewer sexual partners than males in their lifetime;
•  females have greater preference for correlates of success (intelligence, financial prospect, physical strength);
•  males have greater preference for correlates of fertility (youth, physical beauty)

 (there are lots more in Buss' book and article)
 

Differential parental investment:  Females have relatively fewer, larger gametes (eggs) with more nutrients, and they invest considerably more time and effort in carrying and raising offspring compared to males.  Males have considerably more gametes (sperm) which are replenished on a daily basis, and are not technically required to invest time and effort (beyond conception) in individual offsring.  As a result, several possible sex differences are:

 females are more selective in who they mate with,;
 females have fewer sexual partners than males in their lifetime;
 females have greater preference for correlates of success (intelligence, financial prospect, physical strength);
 males have greater preference for correlates of fertility (youth, physical beauty)

 (there are lots more in Buss' book and article; you could give page numbers, or include ones that students give in the key)