Why do girls tend to earn better grades in school than boys? Why are men still far more likely than women to earn degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics? And why are men on average more likely to be injured in accidents and fights than women? These and many other questions are the subject of both informal investigation in the media and formal investigation in academic and scientific circles. In his landmark book ""Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences"", author David Geary provided the first comprehensive evolutionary model to explain human sex differences. Using the principles of sexual selection such as female choice and male-male competition, the author systematically reviewed and discussed the evolution of sex differences and their expression throughout the animal kingdom, as a means of not just describing but explaining the same process in Homo sapiens. Now, over ten years since the first edition, Geary has completed a massive update, expansion and theoretical revision of his classic text. New findings in brain and genetic research inform a wealth of new material, including a new chapter on sex differences in patterns of life history development; expanded coverage of genetic research (e.g. DNA finger printing to determine paternity as related to male-male competition in primates); fatherhood in humans; cross-cultural patterns of sex differences in choosing and competing for mates; and, genetic, hormonal, and socio-cultural influences on the expression of sex differences. Finally, through his motivation to control framework (introduction in the first edition and expanded in ""The Origin of Mind"", 2005), Geary presents a theoretical bridge linking parenting, mate choices, and competition, with children's development and sex differences in brain and cognition. The result is an even better book than the original - a lively and nuanced application of Darwin's insight to help explain our heritage and our place in the natural world.
A comprehensive treatment of human sex differences.Male, female is the first book to attempt to explain most human sex differences from a single theoretical perspective, Darwin's principles of sexual selection. The book is based on an extensive review of the scientific literature in biology, psychology, and anthropology but is written for a general audience.
The books seeks to explian--not simply describe--sex differnces in parental care, mating strategies and preferences, social motives and emotionality, physical attributes, physical development, play patterns, social development, brain and cognitive functioning, as well as academic skills, psychological and behavioral problems (e.g., violence and depression), occupational choices and status, among many other things. Moreover, sex differences in many of these areas are examined across cultures and historical periods in order to illustrate both cultural and biological influences on the differences between boys and girls and men and women.
Short jacket cover reviews were provided by eminent evolutionary psychologists and biologists including:
David Buss (author of "The Evolution of Desire") who stated Male, female "is simply the best book that has ever been written on the topic of human sex differences."
Randy Thornhill (Regents Professor of Biology, University of New Mexico), "this book is a must read for everyone with an interest in scientifically knowing human beings and why boys and girls and men and women are so different psychologically."
Steven Pinker (author of the "Language Instinct" and "How the Mind Works"). "Male, female ... seeks to explain the differences between women and men rather than just describe them. The book is coherent, balanced, incisive, and well-written... a pleasure to read."
