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Sex Differences, Evolutionary Psychology and Biosocial Theory

Biosocial Theory is No Alternative

Groningen University, Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands, M.F.Luxen{at}ppsw.rug.nl

Biosocial theory claims that evolution did not design human psychological sex differences. It argues that these are the result of the allocation of men and women into different sex roles, based on physical differences. This article argues, however, that biosocial theory is not an alternative to evolutionary psychology in the explanation of human psychological sex differences. Specifically, biosocial theory is incompatible with evolutionary reasoning and it ignores findings of hormonal psychology, developmental psychology and comparative psychology. Moreover, by posing the need for special explanations, it violates the principle of Occam's razor. Finally, it does not provide an explanation as to why sex differences in human partner choice are finely tuned to fitness.

Key Words: biosocial theory • evolutionary psychology • partner choice • sex differences • sexual behavior

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