Synonyms
Definition
The ratio of sexually available males to sexually available females in a population.
Introduction
The relative proportions of reproductive males and reproductive females in a population influence reproductive dynamics, including intersexual selection and intra-sexual competition. Across species, market influences of these proportions affect the intensity of mating competition and selectivity for partners. Female-biased (more available women than men) and male-biased (more available men than women) populations produce different outcomes because the reproductive strategies of men and women are somewhat divergent. Imbalanced sex ratios are associated with social and cultural trends in specific historical periods and populations. Male scarcity enhances male mating opportunities and decreases incentives for long-term commitment, facilitating serial and simultaneous polygyny. Female scarcity enhances the ability to secure commitment from partners and demand...
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Kruger, D. (2018). Operational Sex Ratio. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2020-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2020-1
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