PSYC 221 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: False Dilemma, Genderqueer, Sexual Differentiation

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 221
• Professor: Jennifer Wessel

Document Summary

Define evolutionary psychology: the study of psychological processes (cognitions, attitudes, behaviors) through the lens of evolution and natural selection principles. Females look for maturity, dominance, affluence and boldness. We all want our genes to survive, women can have one child at a time and want security to protect that child and ensure its survival. Me(cid:374) (cid:272)a(cid:374) ha(cid:448)e (cid:373)a(cid:374)y (cid:272)hildre(cid:374) at a ti(cid:373)e a(cid:374)d (cid:449)a(cid:374)t (cid:373)ore (cid:272)ha(cid:374)(cid:272)es to se(cid:374)d their ge(cid:374)es (cid:862)i(cid:374)to the future(cid:863) What are some criticisms for evolutionary explanations: highly reductionist (find effects first, explain after, ignores role of socialization/environmental effects, allows for the rationalization of bad behavior, does not account for transgender and nonbinary individuals. Discuss two gender-specific criticisms of evolutionary psychology: changing view of attractiveness, cultural differences in mate desirability. According to zenter and mitura (2012), decreased gender equality is linked to more: higher amount of sex differentiation in mate preferences (the more different men and women are, women looking for security, men for attractiveness)