Since sexual reproduction is the only way which genes are passed on to the next generation, it follows that mating is a crucial link in the evolutionary process. Obviously those with superiority in the mating process will have their genes propagated. The predominant literature predicts that women have evolved to be more selective, whereas men have evolved to find ways to attract their mate. This research can allow researchers to predict various aspects of the mating process including selection, poaching, retention, jealous, preferences, characteristics, etc.
Mating is only the first step to the process of gene propagation, the second is parenting. The literature widely accepts that the paternal and maternal roles vary quite a bit. This is thought to be for evolutionary reasons – or at least can be explained by them. For example, it is found that mothers are more inclined to invest more of themselves into their offspring, because she knows with certainty that the offspring is indeed genetically connected to her; this is not true for the father. Furthermore, this line of thought can be extended to explain the prominence of monogamy – this gives the father more certainty in his relationship to their offspring and therefore induces more effort and investment from the father. Not only do fathers generally invest less, but this, evolutionarily, has made them more incapable of nurturing offspring. This subtopic of psychology explores these concepts as well as expands to exploring the effects on the offspring that are generated.
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