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The How and Why of Sex Differences

Sexually dimorphic psychological adaptations

Evolutionary Psychology
How to Really "Get" Evolutionary Psychology

Michael Mills Ph.D. on March 17, 2013

If a tree falls in a forest, and there is no one around, does it make a sound?

Most folks think that the answer to this question is open and debatable.
It isn't. There is a right answer and a wrong answer.

If a tree falls in a forest, and there is no one around, does it make a sound?

Most folks think that the answer to this question is open and debatable.
It isn't. There is a right answer and a wrong answer.

Suicide
Running Amok: Why Are Virtually All Spree Killers Men?

Michael Mills Ph.D. on December 16, 2012

After the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of innocents, a friend of mine posted this question to his Facebook page: "Once again, we miss the obvious. It is boys and men who shoot, not girls and women! Mental illness aside, what is it about boys, men, and masculinity?"

After the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of innocents, a friend of mine posted this question to his Facebook page: "Once again, we miss the obvious. It is boys and men who shoot, not girls and women! Mental illness aside, what is it about boys, men, and masculinity?"

Sex
Why Most "Sex Differences Experts" Actually Aren't

Michael Mills Ph.D. on February 12, 2012

The "Is This Person Really a Sex Differences Expert?" Test. Some questions you can ask to discover how much expertise a purported expert really has.

The "Is This Person Really a Sex Differences Expert?" Test. Some questions you can ask to discover how much expertise a purported expert really has.

Evolutionary Psychology
How to Avoid Population Overshoot and Collapse

Michael Mills Ph.D. on November 2, 2011

Like all other species, we have no evolved psychological adaptations specifically designed to prevent ecological overshoot and population collapse. One way to promote sustainability may be to collectively consent to a publicly supported media campaign to tweak our psychological adaptations.

Like all other species, we have no evolved psychological adaptations specifically designed to prevent ecological overshoot and population collapse. One way to promote sustainability may be to collectively consent to a publicly supported media campaign to tweak our psychological adaptations.

Evolutionary Psychology
Playing the Anti-Evolutionary Psychology Game

Michael Mills Ph.D. on October 31, 2011

The majority of climate scientists believe that the evidence supporting anthropogenic climate change is overwhelming. So can you imagine how frustrating it must be for them to repeatedly hear the mis- and dis-information about their discipline from climate change deniers? Evolutionary psychologists too face similar uninformed criticisms.

The majority of climate scientists believe that the evidence supporting anthropogenic climate change is overwhelming. So can you imagine how frustrating it must be for them to repeatedly hear the mis- and dis-information about their discipline from climate change deniers? Evolutionary psychologists too face similar uninformed criticisms.

Sex
Why Men Behave Badly: Causality vs. Morality

Michael Mills Ph.D. on June 22, 2011

Many of the recent discussions about "men behaving badly" have been confounded by attempts to simultaneously understand the phenomenon and condemn it. But like oil and water, causality and morality often don't mix well. If we wish to reduce behavior that we find morally objectionable, having an accurate understanding of why it occurs is an essential first step.


Many of the recent discussions about "men behaving badly" have been confounded by attempts to simultaneously understand the phenomenon and condemn it. But like oil and water, causality and morality often don't mix well. If we wish to reduce behavior that we find morally objectionable, having an accurate understanding of why it occurs is an essential first step.


Beauty
The Two Professions that Get to Tell the Truth: Scientists and Humorists

Michael Mills Ph.D. on May 23, 2011

Someone once said that there were only two professions that can be relied on to tell the truth: scientists and humorists. Both can challenge our worldviews, criticize our most cherished beliefs, remind us of unpleasant truths, and stretch the limits of common courtesy. Both can be provocateurs.

Someone once said that there were only two professions that can be relied on to tell the truth: scientists and humorists. Both can challenge our worldviews, criticize our most cherished beliefs, remind us of unpleasant truths, and stretch the limits of common courtesy. Both can be provocateurs.

Sex
When Did Evolutionary Psychologists Stop Beating Their Wives?

Michael Mills Ph.D. on May 2, 2011

The recent post by Dr. Darcia Narvaez criticizing evolutionary psychologists was exemplary, but not in a good way. It was a fairly typical example of how many self-appointed critics of evolutionary psychology often end up embarrassing themselves by betraying a stunning ignorance of the discipline.

The recent post by Dr. Darcia Narvaez criticizing evolutionary psychologists was exemplary, but not in a good way. It was a fairly typical example of how many self-appointed critics of evolutionary psychology often end up embarrassing themselves by betraying a stunning ignorance of the discipline.

Sex
Why Don't Women Ask Men Out on First Dates?

Michael Mills Ph.D. on April 30, 2011

After decades of increasing gender equality, why are women still not making the first move by asking out men on first dates?

After decades of increasing gender equality, why are women still not making the first move by asking out men on first dates?

Sex
Wrong Question: Is It Nature or Nurture?

Michael Mills Ph.D. on March 3, 2011

Some social scientists apparently still haven't heard the news about the nature vs. nurture debate. It is over. Good riddance. It was a dead-end path to nowhere.

Some social scientists apparently still haven't heard the news about the nature vs. nurture debate. It is over. Good riddance. It was a dead-end path to nowhere.