Parent-offspring conflict in preferences for long-term mates

Vašiček, Jan. (2019). Parent-offspring conflict in preferences for long-term mates. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Psychology. [mentor Tadinac, Meri].

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Abstract

The aim of the research was to explore the evolutionary inherent parent-offspring conflict, specifically in the context of selecting desirable mating partners for the offspring. On the basis of the evolutionary research paradigm, hypotheses have been set about relative differences in subjective preferences for signals of genetic quality and signals of high parental investment and cooperation, between parents and offspring. Also, the research included the assessment of relevance for individual traits, various degrees and gender differences in conflict expression, as well as other relevant variables. Ultimately, through the construct of collectivism/individualism and personal importance of faith, a partial answer was offered as to the cause of recorded inter-cultural differences. The research was conducted via the Internet, on a sample of 970 respondents, and it corresponds with the Buunk, Park and Dubbs' 2008 research both methodologically and thematically, i.e. it is its replication carried out on a sample from the Republic of Croatia. The results confirmed a more prominent orientation of offspring to genetic quality signals, as opposed to their parents' focus on cooperative signals, which they deem more important. The research corroborated the expected stronger conflict between parents and their daughters in relation to male offspring. The absence of the expected conflict with some relevant characteristics has shown to be a methodological artifact. Finally, the comparison of results with foreign samples, as well as the recorded positive correlations between the conflict degree on the one hand, and collectivism on the other hand point to the necessity of appreciating the impact of a specific, social context of reproductive behaviour on the human species. In this context, the influence of importance of faith has also been shown as significant.

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