CMN 368 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Parental Investment, Orgasm, Libido
18 Nov 2019
School
Department
Course
Professor
Biophysical= we look for a partner to provide us offspring. We also look for someone who will parent our
children well.
How do we define sex?
Sex is between two consenting adults. At least two people involved.
Reasons: relief by orgasm, celebrations, express love and closeness, fun, exchange for resources.
Any activity that involves being intimate in an erotic or stimulating way with someone else.
Our definition of sex assumes that the people involved are _______________
How can we define sexual communication?
• Definition? Any process where people exchange messages about a sexual topic. Verbal,
nonverbal, mediated, through other channels or face to face.
• Can be:
• 1)
• 2)
• 3)
What is sexual communication competence?
The ability to choose a communication behavior that is both appropriate and effective for a particular
situation. Appropriate for who were talking with (little kids vs adults vs partner) and also explain well or
be effective so that everything is understood.
What is sexual selection? Looking for the best possible mate to provide us offspring
Struggle for _________________ of a mate.
• Intersexual selection (female choice in heterosexual relationship)
• Definition: it is in women’s best interest to be very selective and discriminating
when it comes to picking a mate. Women need mate with strong parental
investment (father who will stick around for the family and children).
• Intrasexual selection (men are competing with each other for the best possible partner)
• Definition: Men are engaging in behaviors to be chosen and display their best
qualities. Always being competitive and showing off to be chosen.
• You should be able to recognize examples from the “Sex Differences in Mate
Preference” table that we discussed during lecture.
• Why do men prefer beauty over age? Hint: What is the relationship between fertility,
age, and physical appearance?
• Why do women prefer the opposite?
• Men’s ______________________ cannot be as accurately evaluated by
______________
• Therefore, women look for men who ____________________________
What do we know about intelligence and attraction?
Men:
Do men want a smart/smarter mate?
According to study results, what happens when men get the opportunity to meet a
smarter mate?
What can we conclude?
Women:
Why is it important that women can “pick out” a smart mate?
What are pheromones and what do they do?
• Definition of pheromones:
• Detected with the _______________ in the __________
• Part of the ______________
• What do they do?
• May help _____________
• Women are more/less sensitive to the scent of pheromones than men.
• Debate exists ___________________________
