Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences [Hardcover]

David C. Geary (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

Men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus, although sometimes it may feel this way. Why are there so many differences in the social behavior of men and women? Are these largely the result of culturally transmitted roles and pressures? Geary believes that the notion of "gender roles" cannot adequately explain the differences between the sexes and argues that Darwin's theory of sexual selection is the best vehicle for studying how men and women pursue one of life's most fundamental goals--survival through reproduction. This book begins with an accessible discussion of how sexual selection operates in animal species such as birds and mammals through male-male competition and female choice of mates. Geary then shows how these and related principles operate in primates and how they apparently operated in our hominid ancestors, as demonstrated by fossil records. At the heart of the books is an extended examination of how sexual selection has influenced human behavior over the centuries and across cultures. Some of the topics covered include the following: the preferred attributes of mates and investment in parenting; the evolution and development of the human mind; the sex differences between brain and cognition; the differences in play patterns and social interactions of boys and girls; and the sex differences of men and women in contemporary Western culture (e.g., in rates of violence, mental disorders, academic abilities, and occupational interests and achievement). Geary carefully integrates the most relevant findings from several disciplines, including psychology, biology, evolutionary science, and anthropology and presents his theory in clear, accessible language. Readers will enjoy his lively examples and clear presentation of the many differences between men and women.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 397 pages
• Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557985278
• ISBN-13: 978-1557985279
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars provocative and excellent research on gender differences, January 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences (Hardcover)

Ever wonder why older men are considered attractive (like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, but rarely older women?

Is beauty in the eye of the beholder when it comes to physical attraction in dating, or is beauty something we can all agree upon?

Why are males more physically aggresive than females? Why are women more involved with the caretaking of children than men?

Is there evidence that gender differences emerge before socialization can occur such as in infancy?

Dr. Geary attempts to explain gender differences from an evolutionary framework by integrating compelling evidence from many social fields such as anthropology, psychology, and sociobiology. Unlike the watered down "Mars and Venus" books, this book is scholarly and offers scientific evidence to support the claims. A must read for any serious student or scholar of the social sciences.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, concise, convincing, August 12, 2002

By 

WalkerI "WalkerI" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences (Hardcover)

This an extremely comprehensive book. With a bibliography bigger than some books, no one can say that Mr. Geary hasn't done his homework. His ability to distill a vast amount of information into a comprehensible, concise and compelling theory of the reasons for gender differences is remarkable. His writing style, although academicly oriented, is very readable. No words are wasted, and no thoughts are half-baked. Agree with him or not, his arguments are well concieved and well documented. A virtual one stop shop for all the documented differences between the sexes. A great book.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A provocative theory of sex differences, December 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences (Hardcover)

I wasn't sure at first, but after reading this book I was convinced that human sex differences are related to sexual selection. In all, this was the most interesting and thoughtful book that I have ever read on sex differences.