The good genes hypothesis refers to pursuing long-term mates who contribute resources to raising offspring and also seek good genes.

• A. the tend & befriend hypothesis
• B. sexual double standard
• C. the good genes hypothesis
• D. sociosexual orientation

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how mate choice can be driven by benefits to offspring through genetic quality. The good genes hypothesis specifically focuses on indirect benefits: people prefer long-term partners who show signs of high genetic fitness, with the expectation that such genes will improve offspring viability and health. When a description mentions seeking a partner who can invest resources and also signals good genes, it centers on the dual consideration of direct benefits (resources for offspring) and indirect benefits (genetic quality), but the key emphasis is on obtaining genes that can benefit future children. The other options describe different ideas—tend-and-befriend relates to stress responses and social bonding, a sexual double standard concerns normative judgments about sex, and sociosexual orientation is about willingness to engage in casual sex—so they don’t capture the genetic-quality focus of this concept.