Genetic imperative

Genetic imperative refers to the instinct of an organism to pass on its genes or reproduce. The phrase can be used to describe the behavior of specific organisms or a species as a whole. Although the phrase can be applied to any organism, it is GeneRally used to refer to animal [...] reproduction. Genetic imperative is sometimes referred to as [...] drive.

Genetic imperative is important to the study of evolution. A species which lacks the genetic basis for genetic imperative does not reproduce and therefore dies out quickly. An organism with a high genetic imperative is likely to make more attempts to reproduce and is thereby more likely to successfully reproduce more times. The Effects of a strong genetic imperative can sometimes outweigh the "survival of the fittest" rule because a weak organism with a stronger genetic imperative than its otherwise "fitter" peers might reproduce and spread its genetic code more widely than its characteristics warrant.

In psychology, genetic imperative is important as a way of understanding family structure and gender interactions.

It has been theorized that genetic imperative is the basis for male dominance in polygamous cultures, meaning that in some cultures it is acceptable for a man to have multiple wives, but it is rare for a culture to accept a woman having multiple husbands. The theory states that since it is biologically feasible for a male to impregnate many women in a shorter amount of time, while the female reproductive cycle is limited to intervals longer than nine months, the male genetic imperative compels males to seek multiple wives, while the female genetic imperative compels the female to seek one male who will help with the process of bringing the child to adulthood.

Genetic imperative is also theorised to be the basis of exclusivity in [...] relationships. Since genetic imperative works in an organism by causing the organism to wish to spread its own genes, the organism tries to PReVENT other organisms from spreading their genes in the same territory. This behavior is theorized to be exhibited by humans in the exclusivity of many human [...] relationships, also known as monogamy.