Pathogen stress and polygyny in humans

Human Reproductive Behaviour: A Darwinian Perspective • Cambridge University Press • Cambridge, England • Published In • Pages: 115-127 •
By Low, Bobbi S.

Abstract

This study tests the association between pathogen risk and degree of polygyny and sexual advertisement. Results show that the greater the risk of serious pathogens, the greater the degree of polygyny. The correlation between pathogen risk and sexual signals is only marginally significant. An association between mate choice and resource control is also examined.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Researchers OwnOdd Numbers. For measures of pathogen presence, data was drawn from Beaver et al. (1984), Markell and Voge (1981), Faust and Russel (1964), and WHO

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Where serious pathogens are prevalent and severe, there will likely be increased polygyny (116).Supported
Pathogen stress is positively associated with the signalling of fitness (116).Partially supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Megan Farrer