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Article 1: Roberts, S. C., van Vugt, M., & Dunmar, R. I. M. (2012). Evolutionary psychology in the modern world: Applications, perspectives and strategies. Evolutionary Psychology, 10(5), 762–769.

Learning objective: Understanding the main premises and role of evolutionary psychology.

Summary: An evolutionary approach provides new insights in researching any aspect of human behavior. Having that in mind, understanding the evolutionary origins of behavior can contribute to any psychological or sociological research and help create complete and multiperspective theories.

Questions to Consider:

1. Explain how an evolutionary perspective can complement any other discipline researching human behavior.
2. Why is it important for an evolutionary perspective to provide practical implications of its insights?
3. Using the example of jealousy as an evolved trait, explain the ideas behind the naturalistic fallacy?

Article 2: Shackelford, T. K., & Buss, D. M. (1997). Cues to infidelity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23(10), 1034–1045.

Learning Objective: Understanding complexity of cues that signal infidelity

Summary: In long-term relationships, people develop strategies in order to recognize whether their partner is cheating. According to this research, not only are there 14 different types of cues, but they also differ in whether they signal emotional or sexual infidelity. Moreover, women appear to have a lower threshold in detecting infidelity.

Questions to Consider:

1. Why is it important for humans to recognize their partner’s infidelity?
2. Why do women display tendencies to rate cues as more diagnostic of infidelity than men?

Article 3: Schmitt, D. P., Jonason, P. K., Byerley, G. J., Flores, S. D., Illbeck. B. E., O’Leary, K. N., & Quadrat, A. (2012). A reexamination of sex differences in sexuality: New studies reveal old truths. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21(2), 135–139.

Learning Objective: Understanding gender differences in sexual behavior in the context of evolution

Summary: There is much research demonstrating that there are considerable gender differences in mating and sexual behavior. Recent studies confirm these differences and provide arguments for a constant reexamination of previous findings.

1. Why is it important to reevaluate old studies and results?
2. Why do researchers have to be careful when presenting findings that contradict previously held truths?
3. What is the distinction between prejudice and gender difference based on the results of scientific research?