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The Scientific Fundamentalist

A look at the hard truths about human nature.

Evolutionary Psychology
Is the Human Brain Modular?

Satoshi Kanazawa on September 6, 2010

One of the fundamental assumptions of evolutionary psychology is that the human mind is modular.  There are different domain-specific psychological modules to deal with adaptive problems in distinct areas of life.  There are no domain-general psychological modules, because there are no domain-general adaptive problems.

One of the fundamental assumptions of evolutionary psychology is that the human mind is modular.  There are different domain-specific psychological modules to deal with adaptive problems in distinct areas of life.  There are no domain-general psychological modules, because there are no domain-general adaptive problems.

Divorce
Why Does Having a Son Reduce the Likelihood of Divorce?

Satoshi Kanazawa on September 5, 2010

Sociologists and demographers have discovered that the presence of sons decreases the probability of divorce.  Couples who have at least one son face a significantly lower risk of divorce than couples who have only daughters.  Why is this?

Sociologists and demographers have discovered that the presence of sons decreases the probability of divorce.  Couples who have at least one son face a significantly lower risk of divorce than couples who have only daughters.  Why is this?

Genetics
Does It Make Sense to Collect DNA Samples from Misdemeanor Convicts?

Satoshi Kanazawa on August 29, 2010

In the State of New York, as in many other states, individuals convicted of homicide and sexual offenses are required to submit their DNA samples. There is now a move, led by Governor Paterson and supported by the state’s district attorneys, to require all individuals convicted of any felony or misdemeanor to submit their DNA samples. Does such a move make sense? What’s the point of taking DNA samples from shoplifters?

In the State of New York, as in many other states, individuals convicted of homicide and sexual offenses are required to submit their DNA samples. There is now a move, led by Governor Paterson and supported by the state’s district attorneys, to require all individuals convicted of any felony or misdemeanor to submit their DNA samples. Does such a move make sense? What’s the point of taking DNA samples from shoplifters?

Genetics
If Barack Obama Is Christian, Michael Jackson Was White

Satoshi Kanazawa on August 23, 2010

According to the recent report by the Pew Research Center, 18% of the American population state that President Barack Obama is a Muslim (up from 11% in March 2009).  In contrast, 34% state he is a Christian (down from 48% in March 2009).  It is disheartening to know that 34% of the population has a dim understanding of human genetics.  Anybody who believes Barack Obama is Christian must also believe that Michael Jackson was white.

According to the recent report by the Pew Research Center, 18% of the American population state that President Barack Obama is a Muslim (up from 11% in March 2009).  In contrast, 34% state he is a Christian (down from 48% in March 2009).  It is disheartening to know that 34% of the population has a dim understanding of human genetics.  Anybody who believes Barack Obama is Christian must also believe that Michael Jackson was white.

Midlife
Why Do Men Go Through a Midlife Crisis?

Satoshi Kanazawa on July 25, 2010

In an earlier post, I explain why some women may (unconsciously) choose to stay in their relationships with physically abusive husbands and boyfriends.

In an earlier post, I explain why some women may (unconsciously) choose to stay in their relationships with physically abusive husbands and boyfriends.

Adolescence
Why Don’t Teenage Girls Swoon for Middle-Aged Billionaires?

Satoshi Kanazawa on July 11, 2010

Here’s another question that poses a puzzle only for evolutionary psychologists, not for anyone else. Why do pubescent teenage girls swoon for teen heartthrobs like Justin Bieber and Taylor Lautner, but not for middle-aged billionaires like Bill Gates and Richard Branson?

Here’s another question that poses a puzzle only for evolutionary psychologists, not for anyone else. Why do pubescent teenage girls swoon for teen heartthrobs like Justin Bieber and Taylor Lautner, but not for middle-aged billionaires like Bill Gates and Richard Branson?

Evolutionary Psychology
Why the Death Penalty and the DNA Technology Do Not Deter Murderers and Rapists

Satoshi Kanazawa on July 4, 2010

Dr. Tony Frudakis, the pioneer molecular biologist who first used DNA information to determine the precise racial composition of a rapist, believes that the DNA technology will eventually eliminate crimes.

Dr. Tony Frudakis, the pioneer molecular biologist who first used DNA information to determine the precise racial composition of a rapist, believes that the DNA technology will eventually eliminate crimes.

Intelligence
Why Criminals Are Less Intelligent than Non-Criminals

Satoshi Kanazawa on June 27, 2010

Criminologists have long known that criminals on average have lower intelligence than the general population, but they do not know why.  The Hypothesis may be able to shed new light on this question.

Criminologists have long known that criminals on average have lower intelligence than the general population, but they do not know why.  The Hypothesis may be able to shed new light on this question.

Marriage
What Does “Novelty” Mean?

Satoshi Kanazawa on June 21, 2010

Intelligence is correlated with openness to novel experience.  But what does “novel experience” mean?

Intelligence is correlated with openness to novel experience.  But what does “novel experience” mean?

Evolutionary Psychology
In Defense of Helen Thomas

Satoshi Kanazawa on June 14, 2010

I am just about the most strongly pro-Israeli, anti-Palestinian person you would ever find in the world, outside of Bibi Netanyahu’s inner circles. So this is a genuine case of Nixon going to China.

I am just about the most strongly pro-Israeli, anti-Palestinian person you would ever find in the world, outside of Bibi Netanyahu’s inner circles. So this is a genuine case of Nixon going to China.

Intelligence
More Intelligent Men (and Women) Are More Likely to Cheat

Satoshi Kanazawa on May 24, 2010

More intelligent men are more likely to value sexual exclusivity than less intelligent men. Does that mean that more intelligent men are more likely to be sexually faithful and less likely to cheat? Probably not.

More intelligent men are more likely to value sexual exclusivity than less intelligent men. Does that mean that more intelligent men are more likely to be sexually faithful and less likely to cheat? Probably not.

Intelligence
Are Asians More Nocturnal than Others?

Satoshi Kanazawa on May 16, 2010

Science never ends with an anecdote; otherwise, it would be sociology. But sometimes science begins with an anecdote.

Science never ends with an anecdote; otherwise, it would be sociology. But sometimes science begins with an anecdote.

Intelligence
Why Night Owls Are More Intelligent Than Morning Larks

Satoshi Kanazawa on May 9, 2010

Some people are night owls, and others are morning larks. Interestingly, research shows there's a difference between their levels of general intelligence.

Some people are night owls, and others are morning larks. Interestingly, research shows there's a difference between their levels of general intelligence.

Intelligence
IQ and the Values of Nations

Satoshi Kanazawa on May 3, 2010

The Hypothesis about the effect of general intelligence on individual preferences and values may also have implications for national differences in their characters, institutions, and laws. 

The Hypothesis about the effect of general intelligence on individual preferences and values may also have implications for national differences in their characters, institutions, and laws. 

Evolutionary Psychology
A Lesson in Inferential Statistics: Type I vs. Type II Errors

Satoshi Kanazawa on April 26, 2010

What do Icelandic volcanic ashes have in common with an innocent Brazilian man wrongly shot to death in a subway station by the London Metropolitan Police because they misidentified him as one of the fugitive Muslim suicide bombers?  And what about God?

What do Icelandic volcanic ashes have in common with an innocent Brazilian man wrongly shot to death in a subway station by the London Metropolitan Police because they misidentified him as one of the fugitive Muslim suicide bombers?  And what about God?