The social and sexual relationships of sorority women.
Open Access
- Author:
- Allen, Madison
- Area of Honors:
- Biological Anthropolgy
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- David Andrew Puts, Thesis Supervisor
Laurel Nichole Pearson, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Sexual selection
evolution
anthropology
social status
female intrasexual competition
sorority women - Abstract:
- A large body of research has explored the influence of sexual selection on human males, but comparatively little research has focused on sexual selection in females. This disparity is notable because human females exhibit phenotypic evidence of substantial past sexual selection. For example, beginning at sexual maturity females store copious subcutaneous fat on the breasts, hips, and buttocks, which is unique among primates and appears to function at least in part as sexual ornamentation. Females also compete for social status, as well as fight over mates. Yet little research has explored the effects of these or other factors on female mating success, nor the mechanisms (e.g., male mate choice vs. female coercive exclusion of competitors) through which those effects may occur. To address these gaps in knowledge it is necessary to measure female characteristics, including social status, in groups of socially acquainted females, and to evaluate the quality of their male mates directly. Here, I describe such an ongoing study involving women in university social sororities and their male partners. Participants are measured on a battery of anthropometric characteristics; complete a survey targeting self-reported mate value, past mating behavior, and mate preferences; and evaluate the social status of other participants with whom they are familiar. Facial and body images and voice recordings are measured objectively as well as evaluated by raters on attractiveness and social status. These data will be used to investigate the characteristics that predict the quantity and quality of females’ mates, as well as the social mechanisms that mediate these relationships.