Testosterone rex : myths of sex, science, and society

Title:

Author:

Summary:

"Many people believe that, at its core, biological sex is a fundamental, diverging force in human development. According to this overly familiar story, differences between the sexes are shaped by past evolutionary pressures--women are more cautious and parenting-focused, while men seek status to attract more mates. In each succeeding generation, sex hormones and male and female brains are thought to continue to reinforce these unbreachable distinctions, making for entrenched inequalities in modern society. In Testosterone Rex, psychologist Cordelia Fine wittily explains why past and present sex roles are only serving suggestions for the future, revealing a much more dynamic situation through an entertaining and well-documented exploration of the latest research that draws on evolutionary science, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, and philosophy. She uses stories from daily life, scientific research, and common sense to break through the din of cultural assumptions. Testosterone, for instance, is not the potent hormonal essence of masculinity; the presumed, built-in preferences of each sex, from toys to financial risk taking, are turned on their heads. Moving beyond the old "nature versus nurture" debates, Testosterone Rex disproves ingrained myths and calls for a more equal society based on both sexes' full, human potential."-- Dust jacket.

Edition:

First edition.

Contents:

Part one: Past. Flies of fancy -- One hundred babies? -- A new position on sex -- Part two: Present. Why can't a woman be more like a man? -- Skydiving wallflowers -- The hormonal essence of the T-rex? -- The myth of the Lehman sisters -- Part three: Future. Vale rex.

Physical Description:

266 pages ; 25 cm

Subject Term:

Sex (Psychology)

Sex (Biology)

Sex.

Publisher:

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.,

Publication Date:

2017

ISBN:

9780393082081

Publication Information:

New York, N.Y. : W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., [2017]

Call Number:

155.3 FINE

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003219865	Adult Nonfiction	155.3 FINE	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

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Summary

Many people believe that, at its core, biological sex is a fundamental, diverging force in human development. According to this overly familiar story, differences between the sexes are shaped by past evolutionary pressures--women are more cautious and parenting-focused, while men seek status to attract more mates. In each succeeding generation, sex hormones and male and female brains are thought to continue to reinforce these unbreachable distinctions, making for entrenched inequalities in modern society.

In Testosterone Rex, psychologist Cordelia Fine wittily explains why past and present sex roles are only serving suggestions for the future, revealing a much more dynamic situation through an entertaining and well-documented exploration of the latest research that draws on evolutionary science, psychology, neuroscience, endocrinology, and philosophy. She uses stories from daily life, scientific research, and common sense to break through the din of cultural assumptions. Testosterone, for instance, is not the potent hormonal essence of masculinity; the presumed, built-in preferences of each sex, from toys to financial risk taking, are turned on their heads.

Moving beyond the old "nature versus nurture" debates, Testosterone Rex disproves ingrained myths and calls for a more equal society based on both sexes' full, human potential.

Author Notes

Cordelia Fine , an associate professor at the University of Melbourne, is author of the much-acclaimed Delusions of Gender and A Mind of Its Own.

Reviews (1)

Library Journal Review

Are differences between men and women the result of evolution or biology, or are they influenced by societal development? Fine (psychology, Univ. of Melbourne; Delusions of Gender) attempts to answer this question as she reviews current research on sexual differences and the role of the brain. By examining how we have historically viewed sexual differences, the author presents findings that refute many antiquated theories. The book raises questions about the impact of testosterone, which many scientists have claimed is the key to this issue. Ultimately, Fine says, there is little compelling evidence suggesting that testosterone is responsible. In her final chapter, she notes that it's natural to ask about biological reasons for differences between men and women but then argues that we should instead be asking how it is that "men and women can so often behave similarly despite their biological differences." In the end, Fine states, "it's time to stop blaming Testosterone Rex because that king is dead." Written in a lively and accessible manner, this thought-provoking read includes valuable new information on the subject. Verdict An intriguing option for those interested in the science behind sex.-Rebecca Hill, Zionsville, IN © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Introducing Testosterone Rex	p. 13
A Note about Terminology	p. 25
Part 1 Past
Chapter 1 Flies of Fancy	p. 29
Chapter 2 One Hundred Babies?	p. 46
Chapter 3 A New Position on Sex	p. 63
Part 2 Present
Chapter 4 Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man?	p. 83
Chapter 5 Skydiving Wallflowers	p. 108
Chapter 6 The Hormonal Essence of the T-Rex?	p. 128
Chapter 7 The Myth of the Lehman Sisters	p. 151
Part 3 Future
Chapter 8 Vale Rex	p. 173
Acknowledgments	p. 197
Notes	p. 201
Index	p. 251

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Bound With These Titles

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (1)

Library Journal Review

Table of Contents