Editor’s Selection: Evolution, Ancestors, Love, PMDD, and Policy
February 24th, 2011 Editor's Selections 10 Comments
Krystal D’Costa selects interesting and notable ResearchBlogging.org posts in the social sciences, including anthropology, research, and philosophy. She blogs about anthropology, technology, and urban life at Anthropology in Practice.
Without any ado, here are the social science selections on peer reviewed research for the week:
- At Neuroanthropology, Dan Lende provides stellar coverage on an article that challenges the relationship between behavioral modernity and evolution, proposing instead that researchers focus on behavioral variability.
- Brian Switek’s excellent discussion on our evolutionary relationship to early hominid remains is a must read for anthro students — and anyone interested in fossil history. Brian clearly guides the reader to through the fossil identification process, anchoring the discussion in historical practices that have trickled down to the present.
- The Neurocritic questions the notion of romantic love — does it truly exist? For the most part, the answer is yes. However, scientists have yet to determine where it is based in our brains.
- At Context and Variation, Kate Clancy once again tackles “lady business.” This time she delivers a thoughtful analysis regarding a paper on premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), finding that hormonal data leaves room for improvement.
- Stephanie Zvan of Almost Diamonds provides an in depth look at how research is manipulated to generate policies, using the sex-industry as an example.
I’ll be back next Thursday with more selections from the social sciences!
