Book on Evolved Sex Differences Draws Criticism for Outdated View

A new book by psychologist Steve Stewart-Williams argues that evolution created reliable psychological differences between men and women, with nature playing a dominant role. Reviewer Cordelia Fine criticizes the book as presenting an outdated account of evolutionary psychology. The book discusses sex differences in sexuality, partner choice, antisocial behavior, parenting, occupations, and childhood toys.

Stewart-Williams’s third book on evolutionary psychology—a controversial field sometimes invoked or distorted by the manosphere—examines standard psychological sex differences, nature versus nurture, and why natural selection might produce them. He cites differences in sexuality, partner preferences, antisocial behavior, parenting, occupations, and childhood toys.

Reviewer Cordelia Fine disputes his self-portrayal as a middle-ground account. She places his gene-centered framework at the nature-heavy end of the scientific spectrum, contrasting it with cultural evolutionary views emphasizing socially transmitted skills, beliefs, practices, institutions, and learning capacities since humans diverged from other apes. He acknowledges similarities and opposes forced traditional gender roles, but Fine argues the book is not balanced.