GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MATE SELECTION Evolutionary theory is often invoked to exp

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.
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.
BY DAY 3
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.
BY DAY 5
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.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the social psychology theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Library and/or Internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your post and responses. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Required Readings
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 Psychology Links 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
required media:
Coolpsychologist. (2009, June 9). The bystander effect Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSsPfbup0ac
Note: This media program is approximately 3 minutes.
PLEASE DO INTIAL POST FIRST AND SAVE REMAINING PAGE OF THE PAPER FOR MY TWO COLLEGUE POST…. SPLIT EACH RESPONSE EVENLY USING MORE OF THE WORD COUNT FOR THE INTIAL POST