Birds do it, bees do it: evolution and the comparative psychology of mate choice
Issue 342 | Page 53 | Published Sep 2011
Description
The primary theoretical framework for the study of human physical attraction is currently Darwinian sexual selection. Not only has this perspective enabled the discovery of what appear to be strong universals in human mate choice but it has also facilitated our understanding of systematic variation in preferences both between and within individuals. Here we briefly summarise the background to the area and then discuss two key examples of where an evolutionary and comparative approach to understanding our behaviour has been particularly useful. Classroom activity suggestions and links to key stage 4 (age 14-16 years) teaching requirements are also explored.
More from this issue
Questionnaires were completed by 5044 12-year-old pupils in Oxfordshire state schools and initially used to identify classes where the pupils were...
The findings from the Improving Practical Work in Science (IPWiS) evaluation suggest that the project can, and did, bring about noticeable...
Welcome to a new school year! Is this the year that you will get involved in running a science, or even a STEM, club? Maybe you made a commitment...