Sexual selection with a culturally transmitted mating preference. 1994

K N Laland
Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720.

Culturally transmitted mating preferences may generate sexual selection in human and protocultural animal species if they influence the intensity of selection on genetically transmitted physical and behavioral traits. Haploid and diploid two-"locus" models of sexual selection are presented in which mating preferences are culturally transmitted, while traits are transmitted genetically. The models exhibit dynamics similar to those of conventional haploid models of sexual selection, generating neutrally stable curves of equilibrium trait and preference frequencies. A culturally transmitted preference that reaches a significant frequency through cultural drift, individual learning, or social transmission can drag a less viable trait to fixation, or non-zero frequencies. Simulations suggest that strong biases in the transmission of preferences could take initially rare, less viable traits to fixation in as few as 20 to 50 generations, and weak biases in less than 100 generations. These conclusions hold for both biparental and maternally inherited mating preferences. Given the pervasiveness of cultural influences on human mate choice, the analysis suggests that this interaction may have played an important role in human evolution.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008957 Models, Genetic Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of genetic processes or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Genetic Models,Genetic Model,Model, Genetic
D010641 Phenotype The outward appearance of the individual. It is the product of interactions between genes, and between the GENOTYPE and the environment. Phenotypes
D011287 Prejudice A preconceived judgment made without factual basis. Anti-Semitism,Islamophobia,Anti Semitism,Anti-Semitisms,Islamophobias,Prejudices
D002755 Choice Behavior The act of making a selection among two or more alternatives, usually after a period of deliberation. Approach Behavior,Approach Behaviors,Behavior, Approach,Behavior, Choice,Behaviors, Approach,Behaviors, Choice,Choice Behaviors
D003466 Cultural Characteristics Those aspects or characteristics which identify a culture. Ethnic Boundary Maintenance,Boundary Maintenance, Ethnic,Boundary Maintenances, Ethnic,Characteristic, Cultural,Characteristics, Cultural,Cultural Characteristic,Ethnic Boundary Maintenances,Maintenance, Ethnic Boundary,Maintenances, Ethnic Boundary
D004171 Diploidy The chromosomal constitution of cells, in which each type of CHROMOSOME is represented twice. Symbol: 2N or 2X. Diploid,Diploid Cell,Cell, Diploid,Cells, Diploid,Diploid Cells,Diploidies,Diploids
D005075 Biological Evolution The process of cumulative change over successive generations through which organisms acquire their distinguishing morphological and physiological characteristics. Evolution, Biological
D005260 Female Females
D005787 Gene Frequency The proportion of one particular in the total of all ALLELES for one genetic locus in a breeding POPULATION. Allele Frequency,Genetic Equilibrium,Equilibrium, Genetic,Allele Frequencies,Frequencies, Allele,Frequencies, Gene,Frequency, Allele,Frequency, Gene,Gene Frequencies

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