Hi That is the same article I originally posted (see bottom of this message) as what I thought was a BAD example of reporting about psychology, evolutionary psychology in this case. Carol then responded with the WEIRDOs article, to which I responding, pointing out with links how people like Buss and Schmitt (cited in the article we have both now referenced) can hardly be characterized as ignoring other cultures ... the links documenting the numerous cultures represented in their research.
As for the quality of the article, it is a naive and not at all accurate characterization of evolutionary psychologists views on sexuality. No credible academic believes evolution is everything and culture nothing, nor do they deny that manipulations can move things around. And the fact that things can be moved around does NOT disprove an evolutionary explanation. For example, that the devastating effects of PKU (a known genetic disorder) can be minimized by life-long adherence to a regulated diet does not negate the genetic origins of the disorder. That is simply flawed thinking. As for the openness argument, that is a tricky one. Evolutionary epistemology, for example, argues that knowledge advances by generating ideas and then submitting them to critical evaluation. The ideas that survive the critical evaluation are worth keeping. I would guess that being too gullible is not the best stance to adopt in science either. And while there are examples of delayed acceptance of ideas (Wegener and Continental Drift is an example I often use), it is important to note that science does eventually prevail. Moreover, the fact that some good ideas were ignored for too long does NOT mean that an idea being ignored is a reliable indicator of a good idea. But perhaps more important in the present discussion is the fact that there is no reason to think that the scientists involved, like Buss and Schmitt, have been close-minded about the role of cultural factors in sexuality, personality, or whatever. Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor & Chair of Psychology [email protected] Room 4L41A 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax Dept of Psychology, U of Winnipeg 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0R4 CANADA >>> "Joan Warmbold" <[email protected]> 16-Jan-13 5:40 PM >>> If I missed someone posting this article, I apologize. Whatever, there is an interesting article in the NYT's (Darwin was Wrong about Dating) that discusses the methods as well as the perspectives of the evolutionary psychologists on the differences between the genders in their sexual behavior patterns. The article provides a reasonable critique of the approaches used by evolutionists as well as providing examples of experiments that, in contrast, demonstrate how measurement and situational variables influence the sexual behaviors men and women. I am using this article as a spring board for my research course, asking them to summarize and critique the opposing positions. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/opinion/sunday/darwin-was-wrong-about-dating.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 The article also reveals a trait I feel is often missing among those in our scientific community--that of being particularly open-minded to contrary perspectives. There could easily be an entire book focused simply on how the lack of open-mindedness has served as an obstacle to the advancement of science throughout its history. Joan Joan Warmbold Boggs Professor of Psychology Oakton Community College [email protected] > Hi > > I think the argument in that paper was much over-stated. But even if = > somewhat true for psychology in general, I would think it definitely does > = > not apply to evolutionary psychologists like Buss and Schmitt. Look at = > the countries represented in their work as far back as pre 1993. > > http://www.psy.cmu.edu/~rakison/bussandschmitt.pdf > > Or consider the 56 nations represented in the sexuality research since = > then. See summary at: > > http://schmitt.socialpsychology.org/ > > Take care > Jim > > > James M. Clark > Professor & Chair of Psychology > [email protected] > Room 4L41A > 204-786-9757 > 204-774-4134 Fax > Dept of Psychology, U of Winnipeg > 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB > R3B 0R4 CANADA > > >>>> Carol DeVolder <[email protected]> 13-Jan-13 4:44 PM >>> > I'm pretty sure this paper has come up for discussion on this list before, > but here it is--it seems relevant to this discussion too. > http://www2.psych.ubc.ca/~henrich/pdfs/Weird_People_BBS_final02.pdf=20 > > > On Sun, Jan 13, 2013 at 3:31 PM, Jim Clark <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Hi >> >> Dan Slater wrote a recent article on evolutionary psychology and dating >> behavior. See >> >> >> http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/13/opinion/sunday/darwin-was-wrong-about-d= > ating.html=20 >> >> It takes (in my view) an extremely simplistic perspective on the area = > and >> the comments reveal just how poorly many people think about >> psychological= > >> research (or social science research more generally). Many comments >> reflect as simplistic a perspective as the author, noting (quite = > rightly) >> possible limitations of the described research (e.g., being based on >> Western participants) and theories as described (e.g., evolution = > accounts >> for everything). One certainly does not expect lay readers to be >> knowledgeable about areas of research, but it is disturbing that many >> assume the researchers have never thought of and addressed these = > problems. >> Buss and Schmitt (who are cited), for example, have studied many = > different >> cultures. >> >> So you end up with a vicious circle: negative attitudes toward >> psychological research + poorly written article on an area =3D even more >> negative attitudes toward psych research. >> >> Is it really true then that there is "no such thing as bad publicity?" >> >> Take care >> Jim > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=49240.d374d0c18780e492c3d2e63f91752d0d&n=T&l=tips&o=23070 > > or send a blank email to > leave-23070-49240.d374d0c18780e492c3d2e63f91752...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=23082 or send a blank email to leave-23082-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=23092 or send a blank email to leave-23092-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
<<attachment: Jim_Clark.vcf>>
