Text 1: Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Karen Mills studies mate selection. "Partner preferences reflect evolved adaptations," Mills argues. "Physical attractiveness cues signal health and fertility. These patterns appear cross-culturally."
Text 2: Social psychologist Dr. David Park emphasizes cultural influence. "Beauty standards vary dramatically across cultures and eras," Park notes. "Body ideals, facial features deemed attractive—these fluctuate. Social learning shapes preferences evolution cannot explain."
What is the fundamental tension between Mills's and Park's explanations of attraction?
Whether attraction exists as a phenomenon
Whether evolution or culture primarily explains preference formation
Whether research on attraction is possible
Whether physical appearance affects first impressions
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Mills attributes preferences to evolution ("evolved adaptations"). Park attributes them to culture ("social learning"). They offer competing causal explanations.
- Evidence: Mills: evolution explains preferences; Park: culture does.
- Reasoning: Both describe the same phenomenon with different causes.
- Conclusion: The tension is nature vs. nurture for preferences.
Choice A is incorrect because both study attraction. Choice C is incorrect because both conduct research. Choice D is incorrect because both acknowledge appearance matters.