|
Psychology using sex difference as basisMAINLY FEMALE, MAINLY SEXUAL SIGNALSSIMON SHEPPARD |
Sexual signals are given particular emphasis in the Procedural Analysis system because their evolutionary viability is obvious. Each of these signals is advantageous: it has a reason to exist, being employed to attract a mate; and it is heritable: it has a means to exist, capable of being passed on to the progeny resulting from that union.
The less likely the male is to respond, the more likely the female is to signal. Signalling gives her pleasure, but not so great a thrill as evading him afterwards. For its original purpose of attracting a mate a signal can be effective if the male perceives it only subliminally; yet females increase the intensity of their signals (e.g. indiscriminate signalling by dress). This is because signalling serves to shift females’ neurotic load onto males. Shifting her burden onto the male is typical female policy. In some places they even have men pushing prams and changing nappies.