Discuss one or more biological origins of attraction.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of one or more biological explanations for the origin of attraction.

Responses may include, but are not limited to:

• the role of neurotransmitters (eg Fisher, 2004) and hormones
• evolutionary explanations (eg Buss, 1996; mechanisms of attraction in the brain, eg findings suggesting the hypothalamus triggers physiological arousal; the influence of pheromones eg Wedekind’s sweaty T-shirt study)
• studies on male ritual behaviour in animals.

Discussion of the biological explanation of attraction may include, but is not limited to:

• contradictory findings
• methodological considerations
• gender considerations
• empirical evidence
• alternative explanations of attraction, such as social and/or cognitive
• relevance of animal research.

Candidates may address one or a small number of biological origins of attraction in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of biological origins of attraction in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.