The Evolution of Sexually Dimorphic Behavior

1. The Evolution of Sexually Dimorphic Behavior By: Fred Labunikher Melanie Seyarto Sarah Arnold

2. http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/brain-games/videos/battle-of-the-sexes-expert-helen-fisher/?source=searchvideohttp://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/brain-games/videos/battle-of-the-sexes-expert-helen-fisher/?source=searchvideo Fisher, Helen. "Battle of the Sexes Expert: Helen Fisher | National Geographic Channel." National Geographic Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2014. <http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/brain-games/videos/battle-of-the-sexes-expert-helen-fisher/?source=searchvideo>.

3. Article: Predicting Romantic Interest and Decisions in The Very Early Stages of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, and Sex Differences • The Study investigates the relationship between men and women in the context of speed dating • Intentions of finding which measures generated or predicted romantic interest Fletcher, G. J. O., P. S. G. Kerr, N. P. Li, and K. A. Valentine. "Predicting Romantic Interest and Decisions in the Very Early Stages of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, and Sex Differences." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 40.4 (2014): 540-550.

4. Predictions • Physical attraction as strongest indicators of romantic interest • Women would be much choosier about their partners than men • Men would overestimate their partners interest in them and women would underestimate. Fletcher, G. J. O., P. S. G. Kerr, N. P. Li, and K. A. Valentine. "Predicting Romantic Interest and Decisions in the Very Early Stages of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, and Sex Differences." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 40.4 (2014): 540-550.

5. Methods Participants • 50 men, 50 women • University students from New Zealand Procedure • 10-minute speed date • Filled out self-reports on romantic interest and potential future dates

6. Research Results • Women were much less likely to want further contact with their conversational partners • Women tended to underestimate partner’s romantic interest in them, men overestimated • Women had the tendency to rate their partners level of attractiveness as not matching their minimum standards, unlike men Fletcher, G. J. O., P. S. G. Kerr, N. P. Li, and K. A. Valentine. "Predicting Romantic Interest and Decisions in the Very Early Stages of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, and Sex Differences." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 40.4 (2014): 540-550.

7. Research Results Continued • Women showed less romantic interest in their partners than men • The attractiveness variable was most likely to determine romantic interest and the desire to make future contact Fletcher, G. J. O., P. S. G. Kerr, N. P. Li, and K. A. Valentine. "Predicting Romantic Interest and Decisions in the Very Early Stages of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, and Sex Differences." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 40.4 (2014): 540-550.

8. Critical Review • Researchers only investigated and discussed attraction and sex differences in the context of 10 minute datesw/ one partner • All participants were from New Zealand. Cultural Differences? • Sample influences/biases? Small sample size, all students from same University

9. Works Cited • Fletcher, G. J. O., P. S. G. Kerr, N. P. Li, and K. A. Valentine. "Predicting Romantic Interest and Decisions in the Very Early Stages of Mate Selection: Standards, Accuracy, and Sex Differences." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 40.4 (2014): 540-550. • Fisher, Helen. "Battle of the Sexes Expert: Helen Fisher | National Geographic Channel." National Geographic Channel. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2014. <http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/brain-games/videos/battle-of-the-sexes-expert-helen-fisher/?source=searchvideo>.