Human Sperm Competition: Copulation, masturbation and infidelity (English Edition) [Format Kindle]
Author: Robin Baker | Language: English | ISBN: B00L1R3N9G | Format: PDF, EPUB
Human Sperm Competition: Copulation, masturbation and infidelity
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Présentation de l'éditeur
Since the 1970s, behavioural ecologists and evolutionary biologists have been fascinated by the biological implications of sperm from different males competing for fertilization of the egg in the female reproductive tract. But until Human Sperm Competition there had never been a discussion of the phenomenon for the human species in book form, despite its relevance for a full understanding of human reproduction.
The book is a pioneering analysis of the evolutionary biology of human sexuality, proposing that all aspects have been shaped by the phenomenon of sperm competition. Written 20 years ago in 1993-94, the print edition was published in 1995. Despite its age that book’s contents are as relevant now as they were two decades ago. Perhaps even more so, because since Baker and Bellis’ demonstration that human sperm competition could actually be studied in a variety of ways a number of research groups have taken up the challenge where they left off. Most of these groups have obtained results that build firmly upon Baker and Bellis’ original work. A few others created important dialogues. None though have destroyed any crucial part of the foundation first laid down in that 1995 book. But the main way in which Human Sperm Competition remains relevant to this day is that for various reasons – some cultural, some procedural, and yet others due to sheer opportunity – Baker and Bellis were able to do a number of experiments that others since have not had the opportunity to repeat. And the results of those unique experiments were presented in Human Sperm Competition and nowhere else.
In the first half of the book the authors explore the role of sperm competition in the evolution of human sexual characteristics, considering for example the architecture of the female reproductive tract, the reasons for male and female infidelity and the possible biological reasons for homosexuality, masturbation and orgasm.
In the second half, the mechanism of sperm competition is evaluated in detail, together with the evidence for and the implications of the authors’ own Kamikaze Sperm Hypothesis. Human Sperm Competition sets out the thesis that adopting an evolutionary approach to human reproduction exposes the subtle and sophisticated ways in which human sexual anatomy, physiology and behaviour are designed to interact. As a species, understanding this sexual legacy helps explain how we reproduce today and why problems with fertility arise.
Over the years, Human Sperm Competition has become a classic in the study of human sexual biology – but although the original hardback is still in print rising costs plus perhaps its classic status have priced it beyond those students who might most wish to read its contents. This digital edition of the original 1995 publication, but at a student-friendly price, now solves this problem.
Robin Baker: After obtaining a First Class Honours degree in Zoology (1965), then a PhD, at the University of Bristol (1968), Robin Baker lectured in Zoology for over 25 years at the Universities of first Newcastle-upon-Tyne and then Manchester. At Manchester he was Reader in Zoology in the School of Biological Sciences from 1981-1996. In 1996 he left academic life to concentrate on his career in writing and broadcasting.
Mark A. Bellis: After years working on the evolution of human behaviour, Mark turned his behavioural research to the improvement of population health. Since then he has led national and international research programmes to tackle alcohol and drug misuse, improve sexual health and prevent violence. He has published over 140 academic papers primarily on the relationships between human behaviour and health, and as Professor of Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University established and directed one of the UK's largest public health research departments.
The book is a pioneering analysis of the evolutionary biology of human sexuality, proposing that all aspects have been shaped by the phenomenon of sperm competition. Written 20 years ago in 1993-94, the print edition was published in 1995. Despite its age that book’s contents are as relevant now as they were two decades ago. Perhaps even more so, because since Baker and Bellis’ demonstration that human sperm competition could actually be studied in a variety of ways a number of research groups have taken up the challenge where they left off. Most of these groups have obtained results that build firmly upon Baker and Bellis’ original work. A few others created important dialogues. None though have destroyed any crucial part of the foundation first laid down in that 1995 book. But the main way in which Human Sperm Competition remains relevant to this day is that for various reasons – some cultural, some procedural, and yet others due to sheer opportunity – Baker and Bellis were able to do a number of experiments that others since have not had the opportunity to repeat. And the results of those unique experiments were presented in Human Sperm Competition and nowhere else.
In the first half of the book the authors explore the role of sperm competition in the evolution of human sexual characteristics, considering for example the architecture of the female reproductive tract, the reasons for male and female infidelity and the possible biological reasons for homosexuality, masturbation and orgasm.
In the second half, the mechanism of sperm competition is evaluated in detail, together with the evidence for and the implications of the authors’ own Kamikaze Sperm Hypothesis. Human Sperm Competition sets out the thesis that adopting an evolutionary approach to human reproduction exposes the subtle and sophisticated ways in which human sexual anatomy, physiology and behaviour are designed to interact. As a species, understanding this sexual legacy helps explain how we reproduce today and why problems with fertility arise.
Over the years, Human Sperm Competition has become a classic in the study of human sexual biology – but although the original hardback is still in print rising costs plus perhaps its classic status have priced it beyond those students who might most wish to read its contents. This digital edition of the original 1995 publication, but at a student-friendly price, now solves this problem.
About the Author
Robin Baker: After obtaining a First Class Honours degree in Zoology (1965), then a PhD, at the University of Bristol (1968), Robin Baker lectured in Zoology for over 25 years at the Universities of first Newcastle-upon-Tyne and then Manchester. At Manchester he was Reader in Zoology in the School of Biological Sciences from 1981-1996. In 1996 he left academic life to concentrate on his career in writing and broadcasting.
Mark A. Bellis: After years working on the evolution of human behaviour, Mark turned his behavioural research to the improvement of population health. Since then he has led national and international research programmes to tackle alcohol and drug misuse, improve sexual health and prevent violence. He has published over 140 academic papers primarily on the relationships between human behaviour and health, and as Professor of Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University established and directed one of the UK's largest public health research departments.
Direct download links available for Human Sperm Competition: Copulation, masturbation and infidelity (English Edition) [Format Kindle]
Détails sur le produit
- Format : Format Kindle
- Taille du fichier : 6690 KB
- Nombre de pages de l'édition imprimée : 788 pages
- Editeur : HARD NUT Books (15 juin 2014)
- Vendu par : Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Langue : Anglais
- ASIN: B00L1R3N9G
- Synthèse vocale : Activée
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The accomplishments of Baker & Bellis, summarized nicely in this textbook treatment, are stunning and underappreciated. B&B present a strong case that our reproductive physiology and behavior evidence a degree of adaptive, strategic sophistication that should both thrill and embarass anyone who holds an evolutionary view of human behavior.Par Un client
Thrill, because rarely in evolutionary literature have this many surprising details been assembled that argue so compellingly for an evolutionary view (and resist so completely the usual alternatives of random culture or passive socialization). Embarass, because this research plainly runs against the grain of the accepted gospel of American evolutionary psychology by showing that the unconsious processing of our evolved neural systems does not always consist of clucky, outdated, Pleistocene if-then routines, but can exhibit genuinely adaptive, environmentally contingent, creative, strategic intelligence -- even in the face of novel technological advances like modern birth control.
The only really unfortunate thing about B&B's work is that they themselves don't draw the psychological conclusions that seem to follow from their work. Here, as well as in Baker's popular books (Sperm Wars, Baby Wars, and the recent Sex in the Future), B&B are content to draw an odd distinction between the conscious agent and its body, and to assign our evolved strategies to the latter (leading to strange statements like "You may want to do this, but your body wants you to do that").
At any rate, mark my words: In 30 years those of us who are serious about evolutionary approaches to human behavior will list B&B's Human Sperm Competition among the most important works of the 20th century (and we will shake our heads the same way we do today about Mendel, wondering how in the world it took everyone so long to figure out that this stuff is a big deal). If you are engaged in research on mating or sexual strategies, do yourself a favor and get this book. And when you read it, keep one question is mind: What has to be true of human minds in order for B&B to have made these findings? It is a rare opportunity to glimpse the future of mind science.
- Publié sur Amazon.com
It is now 10 years since this book was published. Surprisingly, it is still cited positively, especially by some evolutionary psychologists, along with citations of the Baker and Bellis papers in "Animal Behaviour", published in the 1990's. I say "surprisingly" because , in the intervening years, a substantial number of publications has appeared which fail to support many of the conclusions reached by Baker and Bellis concerning human sperm competition."Khamikaze sperm" , for example , don't exist in human beings...or at least Moore et al found no evidence to support the view that some human sperm block or interfere with those of other males( the paper was published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B...which has stringent reviewing standards). The is no evidence that men with larger testes are more likely to engage in extra-pair copulations ( Simmons et al published a very good study on this in Animal Behaviour in 2004). As for female orgasm , and Baker And Bellis bizarre views on its functions...I recommend Elizabeth Lloyd's book on this topic, as a much needed critique of theories for the evolution of orgasm in women. As a primatologist I could never reconcile the animal evidence with Baker and Bellis ideas either. Over the years reputable experts in the field of sperm competition....such as Birkhead, Gomendio and Roldan, Harcourt, and Short , have pointed out the deficiencies in Baker and Bellis work.Par Amanda Dixson
Yet it is still cited, and has entered the textbooks in some cases....presumably to the detriment of students who are exposed to this material as if it represented the established facts of human physiology. A number of evolutionary psychologists are particularly at fault in this respect.The history of science teaches that truth always emerges in the end. Such is the case with human sperm competition....no doubt it occurs, but how often and whether it has shaped human evolution still needs clarification.The reader will not find reliable answers to these questions in Baker and Bellis book.
Alan Dixson D.Sc.
- Publié sur Amazon.com
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