Die Anmeldung beginnt erst am 02.10.2026 um 08:00 Uhr. Sie endet am 12.10.2026 um 23:59 Uhr.

In this seminar, we will take an evolutionary psychological perspective on human nature and discuss its implications for interpersonal relationships and society. A central aim is to clarify common misconceptions and prejudices about evolutionary approaches and to examine how such misunderstandings may stand in the way of an accurate understanding of human behavior.

The seminar will focus in particular on evolved psychological sex differences. We will ask which sex differences have been documented, in which domains they occur, and how large they are compared with other psychological effects and with sex differences in other species. We will also discuss the origins of these differences, including the relative contributions of evolution, socialization, and the interaction between the two. We will compare these insights with commonly held beliefs about where sex differences originate from.

A further focus will be on the interpersonal and societal implications of this knowledge. We will consider the risks of both exaggerating and downplaying psychological sex differences, for example by drawing parallels to medicine, where ignoring sex differences can cause harm. Finally, we will discuss how a more accurate understanding of the nature and origins of human sex differences can help women and men understand each other better and take each other’s perspectives in areas where they come into conflict, while also helping us build societies that are in line with widely shared values such as equality, fairness, and tolerance of different preferences and life plans.

Students will:
· Understand key principles of evolutionary psychology and their application to human behavior and psychological sex differences.
· Critically evaluate empirical findings in evolutionary psychology, including their robustness, replicability, and alternative explanations.
· Identify and reflect on common misconceptions about evolutionary approaches and their role in societal debates about sex differences and human nature.
· Apply evolutionary thinking to interpersonal and societal issues related to gender, equality, and social conflict.
· Communicate scientific ideas clearly in English, including through presentations and seminar discussions.

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