Research Idea 2:

[caerbannogbunny]

Hypothesis: Male reproductive phenotypes exist: a “consort” male primarily deriving reproductive success through support of a female and a “stud” male primarily deriving success through mating multiple females and avoiding paternal investment.

Independent Variable 1 (IV1): Sociosexuality

Operational Definition: Those scoring in the highest quartile on an SOI questionnaire.

Independent Variable 2 (IV2): Nonsexual investment in romantic relationships.

Operational Definition: (To be determined)

Dependent Variable (DV): Measurable phenotypic trait.

• Fluctuating asymmetry
  
• Body fat distibution/BMI
  
• Facial shape
  
• Penile length
  
• Height

Operational Definition: TBD.

Predicted Relationship: The subjects in both the highest quartile of both IV’s should not significantly overlap and should be positively correlated to some physical trait.

Confounds:

• Self reporting of sexual behavior.
  
• Cultural effects on sociosexuality.
  
• Socio-economic Status (SES).
  
• Reliance on male inherited resources for survival.

Rationale: A consort male would increase his reproductive success through exchanging paternal care and commitment for some percentage of offspring from a particular woman. A stud male would increase reproductive success by exchanging access to good genes for a percentage of several women’s offspring. Both phenotypes should be frequency dependent when paternal care is required for offspring survival and female sociosexuality is not highly restricted by cultural influences. Additionally, correlations between access to inheritable resources needed for survival may confound this effect.

Biologically measurable traits related to "good genes" should significantly correlate with the stud phenotype.

Personality traits tied to commitment and paternal support should correlate with the consort phenotype.

Subjects: TBD.

Procedures: TBD.

Notes:

References: TBD.