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Anthropology/gender differences

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Expert: - 12/30/2010


Question
What do you think of gender differences, is that from nature or nurture?

Answer
This is kind of on the periphery of my expertise, but here's my $0.02 worth:  It's probably both.
Much of gender is culturally constructed, but there is almost certainly a biological (hormonal, neurological, genetic) component to the phenomenon as well.  In fact, gender could be said to be a perfect example of the folly of reducing anything having to do with human behavior to a nature/nurture dichotomy.  (After all, it's a false dichotomy, nurture is a "natural", i.e., biologically-variable, phenomenon.)
Cheers,
John Shea

Anthropology

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John Shea

Expertise

Questions about Old World prehistoric archaeology (especially Stone Age) of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia, prehistoric human and hominid behavior, primitive technology, origin of modern humans, extinction of the Neandertals.

Experience

>20 years as a professional anthropologist based at a research university.

Publications
Journal of Field Archaeology, Journal of Archaeological Science, Lithic Technology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Current Anthropology, Mitekufat HaEven (Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society), Paléorient, Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, American Anthropologist, Geoarchaeology.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D (Anthropology) Harvard University, 1991.
BA (Archaeology) Boston University, 1982.

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