Sexy Son Hypothesis
Updated 2026-08-02
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
The sexy son hypothesis holds that a female choosing an attractive mate gains through her sons, who inherit the attractive trait and thereby attract more mates themselves. The preference can spread even if the trait reduces survival, because the payoff arrives through grandchildren rather than through the female's own longevity. It complements rather than replaces the good genes account.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Separate the payoffs: ask whether the gain comes from the trait itself or from what the next holder can sell it for - Spot the resale logic: check whether buyers are purchasing because they expect a later buyer to want it - Compare with fundamentals: test the claim against the good genes account before accepting it
Anchor fast decisions
If attractiveness is heritable, a female mating with a showy male produces sons who are themselves attractive and therefore leave more offspring. The benefit is counted in grandchildren, so a survival cost to the father does not cancel it. Once enough females use the preference, the trait and the preference reinforce each other in a runaway process, which is why the account overlaps with Fisherian selection.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%80%A7%E6%84%9F%E5%85%92%E5%AD%90%E5%81%87%E8%AA%AAverified
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