The sociobiological theory, has a central idea, in that the behaviour we have is adaptive i.e. our behaviour can change in order to promote survival and result in successful reproduction. Thus, behaviours that are related to successful relationships will be likely because the genes have been passed on. It is evolutionary.
Males and females should both seek sexual partners who are most likely to produce healthier children; therefore physically healthy partners may be generally preferred. Men may tend to prefer women who are younger than themselves as they’re thought to be more fertile (Buss 89).
Wilson (1975) argues that human sexual attraction and behaviour may be explained through an understanding of ‘survival efficiency’. He says it is in the ‘interests’ of the male to impregnate as many women as possible, as this increases the chances of his genes being handed down as copiously as possible into the next generation. The reasons for this lie in the vast number of sperm that the man is capable of producing. The male is capable of fathering an almost infinite number of children in a relatively short period of time, whereas, the women usually carries one pregnancy at a time. The best chance of her genes surviving her genes surviving into the next generation is for her to ensure the healthy survival of the relatively few offspring that she is capable of producing during her reproductive lifetime.
This is why the term ‘next of kin’ is used to describe the notion that the survival on individual’s genes is ensured by helping of a close relative. 86% of people said that they would be prepared to donate a kidney to their offspring. (Fellner et al, 81)
Dunbar (1995) found that ‘lonely hearts’ ads supported this: women seek resources and offer attractiveness whereas the reverse is true for males.
There is an overemphasis on reproduction with the sociobiological theory. IT presumes that sexual attraction and behaviour is about reproduction. For many people, most sexual unions are not focused on bearing children. Many people now choose to be childless. This theory cannot explain homosexual relationships.
There’s also a lack of relevance to the modern world, it is stated that this theory doesn’t suit modern relationships in today’s societies. Sociobiological needs have changed, e.g. both men and women can learn how to feed babies. Thus, this theory is supported by very little research.
The approach is directed at reproductive relationships only, is deterministic and based on studies on non-human animal behaviour.
There is unethical concern that this theory supports divisive gender differences endorsing ‘double standard behaviours thus allowing males sexual ‘privileges’ that females are denied.
The Sociobiological theory does however have evolutionary advantages; it offers plausible explanation for the evolution of specific mate preferences that exist today. Women who select men, who were unable or unwilling to invest resources in their offspring, would experience lower reproductive success than those who placed a premium on these qualities. (Buss, 95)
The Reinforcement and need satisfaction theory (Bryne and Clore, 70) states that the reason we spend so much time in social relationships is that we find them rewarding (positively reinforcing) and that we would find life alone unpleasant and rewarding. This model tries to explain social relationships by the influence of reinforcing behaivour over us, using classical conditioning as its basis.
Others may reward us directly (operant conditioning) perhaps by meeting our psychological needs for friendship, love and sex. Or perhaps we are rewarded indirectly (classical conditioning). If people provide us with direct reinforcement then we like them more. If we meet someone whilst in a good mood, we may associate that person with our good Mood, thus find them more attractive.
(Argyle 92) points out those individuals who are rewarding (friendly, helpful and cheerful) tend to be liked most. Positive non verbal signals such as smiling are signs of liking and are very important.
Research supporting the theory that we learn to associate positive feelings with people which reward us was carried out by Veitch and Griffit (1976), participants were placed in a waiting room where they listened to either good or bad news with a stranger present. When they were asked to rate the stranger the degree of liking was related to the kind of news they’d been listening to.
Further research evidence includes ‘need satisfaction’ (Argle, 1994) There are seven basic motives or needs, each can be satisfied at least in part by interpersonal relationships: Biological, dependency, affiliation, dominance, sex, aggression, and self- esteem. This however presents a one sided picture, omitting the behaivour of other people.
Hayes (85) pointed out there’s as much value in giving rewards to another person as being rewarded oneself. Participants are usually concerned with fairness & equality in a relationship rather than a need to maximize their own benefits.
A limitation of this theory is that relationships in non- western cultures show little concern for reinforcement (Hill 70).