Re: Gender differences
Gerold Firl (geroldf@sdd.hp.com)
11 May 1995 13:15:44 -0700
In article <3ojlk6$aek@triton.unm.edu> mycol1@unm.edu (Bryant) writes:
>Are humans considered sexually dimorphic in size. My subjective
>impression is that men are taller (not just more robust) than women. Is
>that generally accepted by anthropologists?
>
>If so, does it imply behavioral correlates (greater aggression in men)?
In _on human nature_, wilson briefly discusses human sexual dimorphism.
Dimorphism is best described with mass ratio, rather than height. Wilson
looked at the correlation between mass ratio and polygyny; gibbons occupy
one end of the spectrum, with a mass ratio very close to one and strong
monogamy, with gorillas at the other end. I don't remember the numbers, but
I would estimate that gorillas have a mass ratio of about 2, and something
like a 5 : 1 polygyny ratio.
Humans fall in-between. If I recall correctly, our position on the general
primate curve would predict a polygyny ratio of about 1.6.
This says nothing about aggression. Both gorillas and gibbons are
comparitively peaceful compared to humans and baboons.
--
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Disclaimer claims dat de claims claimed in dis are de claims of meself,
me, and me alone, so sue us god. I won't tell Bill & Dave if you won't.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=---- Gerold Firl @ ..hplabs!hp-sdd!geroldf
|