gender differences in mate selection and diffusion of responsibility
2 Discussion Questions 350 words each…… APA format
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.
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.
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.
For this Discussion, you will examine conditions that influence diffusion of responsibility. Consider the following scenario of Brenda:
Brenda was completing a 1-year internship in Baltimore. Luckily, she found an apartment not far from school. To get some exercise, acquaint herself with her new surroundings, and listen to her music, she walked to and from school every day. The 2-mile route took her past Johns Hopkins University, an extremely busy campus teeming with students and passersby. On her way home one day, music blasting in her ears, Brenda suddenly found herself head down in a muddy ravine right in front of the university’s main quad. Someone had come up from behind and pushed her…hard. She was not hurt, but at that moment, she was head down, feet sticking up in the air, in full view of everyone on the Hopkins’ campus. Attempting to right herself, she wondered why none of the many onlookers offered their assistance.
Review the Learning Resources for this week and examine how social psychology theory and research explain the diffusion of responsibility.
Consider the reasons why none of the onlookers stopped to help Brenda.
Post an explanation about why none of the onlookers offered their assistance. Your explanation must be informed by social psychology theory and research.
Possible References:
Darley, J. M., & Latane, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8(4, Pt.1), 377–383.
Latane, B., & Darley, J. M. (1968). Group inhibition of bystander intervention in emergencies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 10(3), 215–221.