MENTAL MODEL · M4757

Bateman's Principle

TechnicalHigh supportEvolutionary Biology

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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Typically, male reproductive success depends on the number of mates (high variance, intense competition), while female reproductive success depends on resource acquisition (low variance, more choosiness). This is because producing sperm is cheap, while producing eggs is expensive.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Investment cost determines market position. Whoever invests more 'sunk costs' (eggs/core resources) in a relationship has the right to choose (the principal); whoever invests low and replicable costs (sperm/standardized services) must compete in a red ocean.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Male reproductive success varies greatly with the number of mates and is intensely competitive (cheap sperm); female success varies little with resources and is more choosy (expensive eggs); the sunk cost invested determines the right to choose.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

When analyzing relationships/markets, look at who bears the sunk costs—the one with higher costs holds the right to choose (the principal), while the one with lower costs enters red ocean competition.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

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Source support: Explicit

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zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B4%9D%E7%89%B9%E6%9B%BC%E5%8E%9F%E7%90%86ZH · Explicit
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