Homo Consumericus

The Nature and Nurture of Consumption

Dr. Gad Saad is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the John Molson School of Business (Concordia University) and author of The Evolutionary Bases of Consumption. See full bio

Comments on "Katie Holmes is Taller Than Tom Cruise: This Proves that Men Are Not Taller Than Women…No It Doesn’t!"

Katie Holmes is Taller Than Tom Cruise: This Proves that Men Are Not Taller Than Women…No It Doesn’t!

By Gad Saad, Ph.D. on April 13, 2009 in Homo Consumericus

Many persons who experience anger and indignation when exposed to specific evolutionary facts fail to recognize that these are veridical at the population, and not individual, level. Accordingly, personal anecdotes, which by definition are rooted in idiosyncratic realities, do not "falsify" Darwinian tenets. For example, it is a biological fact that within Homo sapiens, men are taller and heavier than women. This is an instantiation of sexual dimorphism. That Katie Holmes (or your Aunt Jennie) is taller than Tom Cruise (or your uncle Bob) does not invalidate this biological reality. Personal anecdotes are seldom if ever valuable in judging the veracity of a scientific theory. Read More

Sage advice regarding these

Submitted by Bill on April 13, 2009 - 11:14am.

Sage advice regarding these issues from Stephen Colbert:

"The sooner we accept the basic differences between men and women, the sooner we can stop arguing about it and start having sex.”

Thank You Dr. Saad

Submitted by Stephen Mason, Ph.D. on April 13, 2009 - 1:09pm.

Being a nice guy, I began my blog by advising those who might have an emotional problem with gender differences to stop reading and go watch Oprah. It didn't work.

And while I appreciate an informed criticism, I found the vicious, personal attacks appalling. I've come to accept such behavior in the culture at large but believed Psychology Today was still a fairly civil place.

You, at least, have restored some of my faith.

Steve

me me me

Submitted by Becky on April 14, 2009 - 12:11pm.

Great post. I think the indignation of some respondants is a direct result of todays narcissitic crisis. Many people are no longer able to think in terms of large groups, only within thier narrow worldview do they process information and every generalized statement is therefore a personal attack. I want to scream daily to people "Get over yourself. I wasn't talking about you!" Notably this post wasn't talking about me either:)

social "science" has been all about exceptionalism for decades

Submitted by homebuilding on April 14, 2009 - 4:55pm.

...and your comments are very welcome refutations.

Many couple relationships fail due to "therapists" who are expecting males to live out some form of gender neutrality--which they don't wish to do--nor can they. (and so, so many women thus have decided that their husband just isn't going to be a good twin sister)

and the children and the nation suffer

Colbert was right!