The hottest Evolutionary Psychology Substack posts right now

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The Pseudo-Science of Female Submission

Erik Examines • 134 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Feminism Gender Studies Ethics Social theory Evolutionary Psychology
  1. The idea that women are meant to be owned by men is based on old, false beliefs. It's an attempt to make a harmful view seem rational by using misleading arguments.
  2. Freedom and individual rights are usually seen as positive, but some people twist this idea to suggest that women shouldn't have autonomy. This is not based on science or truth, but rather a desire to maintain control.
  3. Claiming that society or the state owns women is a form of manipulation. Laws exist to protect individuals, not to enslave them, and everyone, regardless of gender, benefits from freedom and rights.

Mads Larsen on the Fertility Crisis

In My Tribe • 698 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Gender Roles Reproductive Rights Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Women today enjoy more independence and choices, which can lead to lower birth rates. As they become more selective in choosing partners, it impacts family size.
  2. Historical pair-bonding cultures ensured support for women and children, but this tradition is weakening as gender equality rises. The value of women's financial independence changes relationship dynamics.
  3. To encourage family growth, society may need to change how we view relationships and partnerships. Promoting earlier marriage and family life could help reverse declining birth rates.

How The Psychologist Got Confused

Living Fossils • 27 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Evolutionary Psychology Behavioral Science Philosophy of science
  1. Just because something is called an explanation doesn't mean it really explains anything. A word can't fully clarify complex ideas.
  2. Complex topics need more detailed models to explain them. Simple labels aren't enough for deeper understanding.
  3. Many psychologists struggle with clear explanations because they often focus on labels rather than real underlying processes or mechanisms.
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Why we should look for the good reasons behind our behaviour

Optimally Irrational • 77 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Cognitive Science Evolutionary Psychology Decision-making Behavioral Economics Human behavior
  1. Understanding our behavior is important because it's not just random; it comes from a long history of survival and adaptation. We should look for reasons behind our choices instead of labeling them as irrational.
  2. Historically, research has focused a lot on cognitive biases, making it seem like humans are mostly flawed thinkers. Now, there's a shift towards recognizing our mental processes can also be adaptively efficient.
  3. Many behaviors that seem like mistakes may actually be smart solutions given the complex decisions we face. It's better to explore the reasons behind behaviors to find their potential usefulness.

The evolved functions of morality: From the Haidts to the depths.

ideassleepfuriously • 628 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality Evolutionary Psychology Altruism Social Sciences
  1. Morality is more than just virtue; it involves judgments of wrongness and desire for punishment.
  2. The explanation for morality may go beyond altruism and virtues, delving into darker aspects.
  3. Understanding moral judgments involves looking at nonconsequentialism, desire for punishment, impartiality, and presence of a victim.

Feminisation has consequences: I

Not On Your Team, But Always Fair • 1120 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🚌 Education Evolutionary Psychology Gender Roles Social Behavior
  1. Human societies have presumptive sex roles that stem from transferring risks away from, and resources to, child-rearing.
  2. Men and women exhibit cognitive and physical dimorphisms due to different reproduction strategies.
  3. The evolution of pair-bonding in humans has shaped societal roles, emphasizing male dominance and the importance of male teams.

Good At Sex: Antagonistic Seduction (pt 8)

Knowingless • 823 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Sexuality Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Some women are interested in displays of power and dominance in sexual scenarios, such as forced sex or consensual nonconsent.
  2. There is a common misconception that all sex should be loving and gentle, but sexual preferences can be diverse and complex.
  3. Understanding the nuances of sexual dynamics, including the balance between consent and nonconsent, can help navigate different preferences without causing harm.

Behaviorist Evolutionary Psychology

Dissentient • 452 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🔬 Science Evolutionary Psychology Learning Social Behavior
  1. Behaviorism and evolutionary psychology have different approaches to learning mechanisms and understanding human nature.
  2. Primary reinforcers and punishers play a significant role in shaping behavior and motivation in humans.
  3. Social interactions involve shaping behavior through reinforcement and punishment, influencing adaptive goals and responses.

Left-Wing Authoritarians are Averse to Masculine Looking Men

Unsafe Science • 137 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🔬 Science Evolutionary Psychology Behavioral Science Personality Traits Research Studies
  1. Left-wing authoritarians are averse to masculine-looking men.
  2. Masculinized men can be perceived as threatening by left-wing authoritarians due to their physical advantages in conflict.
  3. Evolutionary history influences how people make judgments about others based on appearance, impacting social interactions and group dynamics.

The Beauty Quandary

Polymathic Being • 77 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty Evolutionary Psychology Societal norms Gender Studies Perception
  1. Beauty is a complex topic that influences various aspects of our lives, from societal perceptions to evolutionary biology.
  2. Looking good involves presenting ourselves in a way that signals health, status, and genetic viability.
  3. Our appearance can impact our social and economic outcomes, and understanding these dynamics can help us address biases and stereotypes.

Beyond Caution: The Party of Life

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🔬 Science Technology Bioethics Transhumanism Metaphysical Evolutionary Psychology
  1. Transhumanists faced prominent intellectual threats in 2004 from individuals like Bill Joy, Leon Kass, and Francis Fukuyama.
  2. The Precautionary Principle and philosophical opposition reflected fears of going beyond human nature and the potential risks of advancing technologies.
  3. Advocates for technological progress emphasized the importance of embracing change, exploring positive futures, and respecting differing viewpoints while pursuing an ever-improving future.

The Stuff of Thought and Feeling

Holodoxa • 59 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🔬 Science Psychology Evolutionary Psychology Behaviorism Psychometrics
  1. Paul Bloom's book 'Psych' offers a comprehensive overview of modern psychology focusing on foundational concepts and influential psychologists.
  2. The book addresses controversial psychological ideas and presents commentaries on existing research, making it accessible yet thoughtful.
  3. Readers may find particular value in the Foundations and Differences sections, and while the book lacks in-depth methodology discussions, it provides a solid introduction to the field.

Fear (Part I)

Living Fossils • 10 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Anxiety Therapy Evolutionary Psychology Fear Well-being
  1. Fear can lead to negative consequences like stress and health issues, but it played an important role in our survival and evolution.
  2. Stress from fear has been linked to significant health problems like hypertension and cardiovascular disease, impacting millions worldwide.
  3. Understanding the evolutionary origins of fear and anxiety can help normalize these emotions, reduce self-judgment, and open up possibilities for reducing their impact.

Both sexes have to be oppressed

Wood From Eden • 3 HN points • 08 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Dynamics Psychology Social relationships Science Evolutionary Psychology
  1. The book _Warriors and Worriers_ by Joyce Benenson presents the evolutionary psychology of men and women, highlighting how males and females differ in social interactions based on prosocial and antisocial behaviors.
  2. Females compete covertly for resources, leading to social exclusion and the need to show vulnerabilities to build alliances with unrelated women.
  3. Gender equality means equal opportunities for individuals to surpass their natural tendencies and work towards societal advancement.