Evolutionary Argumentative Analysis

The evolutionary approach suggests that our behaviour is determined through natural selection; therefore it is coded into our genes through how we have adapted. It is a biological approach and states nature over nurture. A criticism of this approach is that it is determinist as it suggests that the way we behave is dictated through natural selection, for example in gender roles men being strong hunters and wanting a younger female partner. It ignores other suggestions, such as how we are brought up and our environment playing a part in how we behave.

A traditional view is that men are hunters and women the gatherers and domestic, this is true for humans. If this role had changed then it could reduce their chances of survival. Kuhn and Stiner
Men look for partners who are physically attractive and women are more interested in resources a partner could provide. This may be due to a male selecting a woman who is healthier and therefore more fertile, the healthier the woman the more attractive she seems. While women seek signs of fertility and heath in a partner they are more concerned about resources, for example wealth, intelligence and strength. Women therefor seek to enhance their looks and men advertise their status. This is confirmed by Waynforth and Dunbar who used ads to assess what men and women seek and advertise. They found that 44% of men seek a physically attractive partner compared to 22% of
This is a result of selection in which men developed better hunting skills and females focus of rearing children. He also suggested that men who were able to systemise had an evolutionary advantage. Women are better at emphasising and also are focus on interpersonal concerns. Taylor et al suggests that this may be due to challenges faced by men and women when dealing with stress. For example if a man is threatened he would choose whether to fight or flee, while a woman would protect themselves and their young, leading to the ‘tend and befriend’ response. Ennis et al conducted a natural experiment to test this by sampling levels of cortisol a week before students take an exam and immediately before the exam. The cortisol levels increased in male participants and decreased in female participants therefor supporting the difference in response to stress between genders. Taylor et al’s research also suggested that in women oxytocin levels increased with stress – which reduced anxiety and made them for