It's the Song That Attracts the Ladies
In the bird world, poor singing can have dire consequences. The male’s ability to sing affects his chances of attracting a mate.
It has been shown in several studies that testosterone levels in male birds influence their song. In a study at Johns Hopkins University, it was found that one of the ways female starlings select a healthy male partner is to listen to the quality of his singing. Scientists have found a clear link between the strength of the male starling’s immune system and the quality of its song. Birds who are the best singers, based on frequency and length of their songs, also tended to be the most suitable breeding partners. This is because their immune systems were in the best shape.
In another study at Queen’s University, researchers found that up to one third of female chickadees will cheat on their mate. The female’s decision to cheat comes only after eavesdropping on a singing contest between rival males. If her partner loses a singing duel, female chickadees have been observed to sneak off early in the morning into the rival’s territory for a quick encounter in the bushes. She’ll then go home to lay an egg fertilized with the rival’s sperm. The resulting offspring is reared by her unsuspecting partner.
So next time you hear a male bird singing his heart out, remember that the song is more than music to his partner’s ears.
If singing is an important characteristic in the bird world for attracting a potential partner, on what basis do we as humans develop our friendships and marital relationships? Well, when we think of interpersonal attraction several features are present.
Obviously we need to find ourselves in the same environment - social, work, school, neighbourhood - where we will have regular occasions for interaction. Our need or indifference to developing new relationships affects our motivation to foster them. Attraction also depends on the way in which our emotional state at any particular time affects our perceptions, and consequently our assessments, of others.
While most people initially think of another’s personal appearance, behaviour and personal style as key features in attractiveness, research has shown that similarities in attitudes, values and beliefs are significant determinants of the potential for close and long term relationships. We like people who are like ourselves, who share and affirm core philosophies of life.
However, along with the common assumption that ‘birds of a feather flock together,” in general people also sense the reality of the statement that ‘opposites attract.’ The quiet, reserved individual is attracted to outgoing person. The cool-headed, analytical type is drawn towards the spirit and passion of the emotional individual. Somehow the complementarity balances out the excesses.
It is difficult to reconcile these two different fundamental beliefs (similarities and opposites), although each are commonly held. Maybe we will find ways to clarify the seeming contradiction. Could it be that we look for similar philosophies but different temperaments? Or perhaps that the key rests in the ability to hold these distinct assumptions in a creative tension? What do you think?
We are unique individuals. We have a genetic make-up that is particularly ours. We have different life-experiences. Even children raised in the same family environment experience home life from distinct points of view considering their differing ages and personalities. We have schoolmates and friends, workmates and family members who each leave their imprint upon our lives. We live in particular cultures at specific points in history. We are unique then on many accounts.
Yet there are many life experiences common to our humanity. We go through stages of development and rites of passage. We experience growth and decay, gain and loss. We face issues of morality, themes related to religious understanding, choices as well as changes - both personal and societal. So while we are unique, our humanity speaks to matters with universal scope.
Christianity addresses both the universal and the particular. We are both special creations of a loving God and part of a world gone wrong. We have particular value vested in us, yet we all fall short of godly standards. These diversities come together when we think about Jesus and the sacrifice He made for humanity. He dealt with the weaknesses, mistakes, failures, and rebellion by taking the consequences of those on Himself. This opened the way for us to have a renewed relationship with the God who loves us, but is holy. http://www.jhu.edu/news_info/news/home02/apr02/starling.html
David Humphreys and Debbie Hughes
© August 2004
