Bonded by Evolution: Evolutionary Mythbusting
Eli and Paul chat about Paul’s upcoming book, Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection. This time, things get a little…controversial.
In this episode, they pick apart two central concepts in evolutionary psychology: gender differences and mate value. Paul and Eli discuss how men and women don’t actually differ in what they want in a partner, where gender differences in the sex drive appear larger vs. smaller, and why mate value matters a lot less than you think. Plus: Can evolutionary psychologists - and their critics - find better ways of talking the practical implications of a biological discovery?
Book plate gift with preorder: US Residents, 18+. Ends February 10, 2025. See terms at prh.com/lovefactually.
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Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel
Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons
Artwork by Katie Keil
Longtime listener and fan, THANK YOU for countering the depressing, fatalistic narrative of “men and women are different species who want different things, also men have to cheat! Sorry!” It’s been way too long 🙏🏻
I cannot explain how excited I am about this book! I have been creating content online about the challenges with combating misinformation perpetuated by evolutionary psychology. So much of the anti-women arguments made and spread by the manosphere rely on claims “supported” by evolutionary psychology when it is so clear that that research has substantial limitations and overstated claims. THANK YOU for this book - I am so excited to read it!!!