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Psychological sex differences. Origins through sexual selection
1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-1109.
The American Psychologist
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Psychological sex differences emerge in domains where men and women faced distinct evolutionary challenges. Evolutionary psychology explains these differences, predicting similarity in other areas.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Psychological Sex Differences
Background:
- Sex differences in psychological domains are well-documented and not artifactual.
- A theoretical framework is needed to explain the existence and scope of these differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline an explanatory framework for psychological sex differences.
- To anchor this framework in evolutionary psychology.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the theoretical paradigm of evolutionary psychology.
- Analyzing adaptive problems faced by sexes over human evolutionary history.
Main Results:
- Psychological sex differences exist in domains with differing adaptive challenges.
- Psychological similarity is predicted in domains without differing adaptive challenges.
Conclusions:
- Evolutionary psychology provides a metatheory for understanding psychological sex differences.
- This framework explains why and where sex differences manifest, integrating biology and environment.