Sperm Competition in Humans: Classic and Contemporary Readings [Hardcover]

Todd K. Shackelford (Editor), Nicholas Pound (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 5, 2005

This volume presents the intricate ways in which sperm compete to fertilize eggs and how this has prompted reinterpretations of breeding behavior from a biological perspective. Sperm Competition in Humans: Classic and Contemporary Readings provides a theoretical framework for the study of sperm competition and also discusses the roles of females and the relationships between paternal care in sperm competition. The chapters focus on everything from evolutionary biology to taxonomic development.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Over the past decade, there has been a vast amount of interest in the subject of human sperm competition. This volume brings together, in one place, a key set of classic and contemporary papers that have examined possible adaptations to sperm competition in humans. In addition to classic papers by Robin Baker & Mark Bellis, it includes later work by other researchers – some developing their ideas, some refuting their findings. As is to be expected in any comparatively new area of investigation, there are conflicting findings and unresolved issues. This, however, should encourage rather than discourage future research in this field. This collection of papers is essential reading for students of evolutionary biology, evolutionary psychology, human sexuality and researchers considering conducting work in this area.

 

 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Springer; 1 edition (December 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0387280367
• ISBN-13: 978-0387280363
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,271,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars review of Sperm Competition in Humans, February 28, 2007

By 

A. Goetz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sperm Competition in Humans: Classic and Contemporary Readings (Hardcover)

This book is probably ten years ahead of its time. That is, in ten years or so, it will be commonplace for evolutionary psychologists and evolutionary biologists to apply sperm competition theory to humans. Shackelford and Pound, however, have already recognized the utility of applying sperm competition theory to humans, and they complied the first volume of this developing literature. There's an original chapter that provides an up to date overview of the field, and the remaining chapters are labeled as "classic and contemporary readings". They're also fascinating and balanced. It's really nice to have all of this work in one place.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An expensive collection of papers, October 20, 2006

By 

Amanda Dixson "Prof Alan Dixson" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sperm Competition in Humans: Classic and Contemporary Readings (Hardcover)

This book contains previously published papers about sperm competition in human beings...a substantial number by Baker and Bellis, aswell as some more recent contributions by other authors. Despite the inclusion of more contemporary papers, by evolutionary psychologists in particular, the book does not present a coherent or sufficiently critical overview of the field. It is quite short, and very expensive.It would have been better, perhaps, to have written a book about this topic , in order to produce a much-needed synthesis.