#431 Menelaos Apostolou: The Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction
RECORDED ON JANUARY 19th 2021.
Dr. Menelaos Apostolou is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He was born in Athens, Greece and he completed his post-graduate and graduate studies in the United Kingdom. He has published several peer-reviewed papers, books and chapters in books in the area of evolutionary psychology. He’s the author of a new book, The Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction.
This is my second interview with Dr. Apostolou, where we focus on The Evolution of Same-Sex attraction. We start by discussing the evolution of sexual reproduction, and we talk a lot about sexual attraction (its evolution; if it occurs on a continuum; if it is fluid; and the genetic basis and possible environmental factors behind its development, including the fraternal birth order effect). We talk about homosexuality in ancient societies, and in hunter-gatherer societies. We discuss tolerance and intolerance of same-sex attraction. Dr. Apostolou presents his Weak Negative Selection Pressures and Positive Selection Pressures Hypotheses for the high prevalence of same-sex attraction in human societies. We also talk about why men prefer women who like other women. We discuss a hypothesis for why the Catholic Church is intolerant toward same-sex relations. We ask why Western societies are tolerant of same-sex attraction, and how it will evolve in the future. Finally, we discuss if people can apply this knowledge to develop a better understanding of their own sexual attraction and their relationships.
Time Links:
Intro
Sexual attraction
Homosexuality in ancient societies, and in hunter-gatherer societies
Tolerance of same-sex attraction
Why do we have same-sex attraction in such high prevalence in human societies? The Weak Negative Selection Pressures Hypothesis, and the Positive Selection Pressures Hypothesis
Why is the Catholic Church intolerant of same-sex attraction?
Same-sex attraction in modern Western societies, and its evolutionary future
Can people apply this knowledge to themselves and their relationships?
Follow Dr. Apostolou’s work!
Follow Dr. Apostolou’s work:
Faculty page/website: http://bit.ly/36lwn3p
ResearchGate profile: http://bit.ly/2psxair
Amazon page: https://amzn.to/2Nqk9zm
Sexual Selection Under Parental Choice: https://amzn.to/2Nqk9zm
The Evolution of Same-Sex Attraction: http://amzn.to/38UFbAQ