Another violent act in America. Another man who committed it. Why do men in our society seem to always be the ones who carry out violent acts? Is it how we bring up boys? Or is there another influence – genes. I was lucky enough to get professor Steve Stewart-Williams, author of the book The Ape That Understood the Universe, so come back to the show and share more about the evolutionary Psychology perspective on this complex issue. And by the way, you can use the promo code APE20 to purchase this book at Cambridge University Press at a 20 percent discount. You’re going to find this discussion very interesting.
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Jack Hounslea
October 24, 2019I found this podcast intresting because I think it ties into the nature vs nurture debate fairly well, nobody wants their behaviour being strictly down to genetics yet I do think discussion around the subject is important as we find out what makes us all unique. I do think continued research in this area especially on transgender people may prove as a new scope / area to tackle with and research or post transition and hormone therapy. I was researching into high levels of testosterone and had found high agression as one of the symptoms, which is supported by statisitics in which men dominate aggression and physical violence. I think to adress this as solely their nature, or them being at the will of their hormones is a bad idea though because it removes responsibility from their actions, and instead again; more indepth research into all facets of aggression may prove reliable in how to also combat/ reduce these numbers and protect more people.
Kayla Anil
October 24, 2019It’s really interesting to know that there a biological component in why its usually men who commit crime and that its similar throughout all cultures. As the podcast mentioned there are physical differences between male and female such as: males are “bigger” and “stronger” , which is a reason males seem more aggressive in all cultures and females roles are “child care” which suggest a caring personality. I would say society has a huge part in why men are seen this way and patriarchal views that portray masculinity as “tough”.
Josie Flanagan
October 24, 2019It is interesting that babies that are exposed to higher levels of pre-natal testosterone in the womb exhibit higher levels of violence later in life, a factor of aggression that comes in before socialisation in taken into consideration. Whilst men are the sex that usually commit more violent acts, it is due to factors such as patriarchal ideas where men are ideally seen as “tough”. Toxic masculinity is shown in the podcast as the most children a man has had on record is 888 whereas the most children a woman has had on record is 69.
krystel reyes
October 24, 2019Whilst it is usually men who commit violent acts, I think that society is more at fault for perpetuating the ideal that men have to be more tough and mask their emotions with toxic masculinity. As mentioned in the podcast, nurture as opposed to nature plays a huge role as to why this is, with males being brought up to exhibit more aggression and anger than females. The traditional patriarchal roles are at fault and as soon as society adapts to being more gender egalitarian and gender neutral will we see this internal conflict within males become minimised. I fully agree with this podcast.
Natalie O'Brien
October 24, 2019I had no idea before this podcast that not all species of males and females have the XX and XY chromosomes. I learnt that this is especially true in birds. It was interesting to not that the woman who has had the most children on record is 69, whilst it is 888 for a male.
woodrow
October 24, 2019You can download this audio file by clicking this link and then right clicking on the audio player. You should see a download option: http://traffic.libsyn.com/thepsychfiles/ep-336-why-is-it-usually-men-who-commit-violent-acts.mp3
Saleem
October 24, 2019How to download this poscast I don’t have iphone , any other way?