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Before reading this essay, click on the links to the right. The first link will take you to instructions that explain how to use the Paper Bank. The second link offers basic suggestions for writing this type of paper. The tutor comments found in this sample essay focus on addressing how the author successfully uses an alternative organizational format. Instead of stating her thesis in the first paragraph, the author waits until the end of the essay to explain that "Evolutionary psychologists themselves give merit to social learning." That is, in the end, the author states that evolutionary psychology alone cannot answer the question: "Is evolution influencing how we tend to behave sexually?" There are positive and negatives to organizing a paper in this way. On one hand, keeping the "final analysis" until the end keeps your reader interested and in suspense. They have to wait until the end to see what judgment you make about the information you presented. On the other hand, sometimes keeping your reader uninformed about your thesis is confusing. Rather than stick it out, a reader may just stop reading because s/he is too confused. Generally speaking, the longer the paper, the harder it is to expect your reader to wait until the end to discover your argument. Whatever organizational structure you choose, try not to bury your argument in the middle of the paper. Most of the time the reader will look for your argument in the beginning. But provided you give the reader enough clues, s/he should keep on reading until the end if you decide to put your thesis statement there. Your audience is also an important consideration. What do you think they will expect or want? |
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Eng. 121/Psch.101
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Always check with your instructors to see if you may submit one paper to two classes. If permission is not granted by both instructors, double submission is considered grounds for plagiarism at many universities and colleges. Plagiarism has many serious consequences, including a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade in the course, and expulsion from school. If you have any doubts, read more about plagiarism.
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On college campuses around the world, the mating game is on. Men are eyeing and drooling over beautiful women and women are goggling muscular intelligent men. The guys hang out with one another and share masculine tales of sexual conquests while a girl sits in the hall crying over the infidelity of her boyfriend. This is a typical scenario of behaviors and at the core of it is sex. Is evolution influencing how we tend to behave sexually?
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Because the argument or overall analysis of the information presented in this paper comes at the end, the use of questions is a good way to lead your reader through the paper. Questions focus your reader's attention. Watch for the use of questions throughout the paper.
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Evolutionary psychology theorizes a process called natural selection, the preference of qualities that secure the spread of ones genes (Meyers, 1998). This process is not one we think about or control. In fact it controls us. According to Wuethrich (1993), "Evolution shapes our human nature. That which is engaging sexually also assists the competitor in the mating game. Traits like strength and social dominance in men and beauty, youth, and fitness in women are advantageous and are passed down" (Wuethrich, 1993). In theory, these qualities signified to our ancestors that such traits could send their genes into the future. Is evolutionary psychology the best explanation for human sexual behavior? No, it is not the best explanation because sexual behaviors can be taught and changes through cultural values, religion and social acceptance.
It is obvious to anyone, of any age, or intelligence that one glimpse of Colfax Avenue (one of Denver, Colorado's seedy streets) gives merit to the pejorative statement it's a man's world". The saying itself projects the thought that man's animal instinct must be fulfilled. Available to man are all kinds of alluring short term fixes to fulfill their natural urges to reproduce, yet most of these choices will not result in reproduction, but rather pleasure. Are men taught to value pleasure?
Our cultures teach us about values. For instance, in the Israeli communities, family values are stressed because of their beliefs in the importance of historical lineage and inheritance. Their culture teaches values about sex, values that are aimed at keeping together. Meyers (1998), states "When education about sex is separated from the context of human values, some students may get the idea that sexual intercourse is merely recreational activity" (p.383). Men that are lacking in cultural values are apt to have many sexual partners simply for the fun of it.
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Did you notice how the question "Are men taught to value pleasure?" lead the discussion into looking at the cultural implications of sexual behavior?
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Cultural values can also be shaped by religion. Sexual behavior can change from promiscuity to celibacy by religious teaching. For example, a Christian male would be taught that fornication is a sin before God. If he learns and accepts this teaching, he will remain celibate to please God. Priests adhere to this code of celibacy. In addition, Creationism (God being creator) is diametrically opposed to evolutionary thought and would teach sexual morality and values that bring about sexual responsibility. Huse, a Christian author (1993) argued, "When man is viewed as the product of some vague, purposeless, evolutionary process, he is conveniently freed from all moral obligations and responsibilities" (p.124). Clearly, if one believes in Christian teaching, his sexual behaviors will be shaped by what he is being taught, and not by what is passed down to him by his dominate, hunter, gathering ancestors.
Evolutionary psychology would argue that men and women are hardwired to have sex to reproduce high quality offspring and send their genes into the future. Supposedly men and women have a different way of accomplishing the same goal. As Wright (1995) asserted, "Evolutionary psychology argues that men naturally try to find as many mates as possible, while women try to find a mate of superior quality. Sexual behaviors are influenced by the biological imperative to reproduce. " Evolutionary psychology claims women only want one superman to assist her in perpetuating the species. The only prerequisites are his social status, looks, and strength, yet one more trip to Colfax Avenue finds the theory of evolutionary psychology trampled by the heels of the prostitutes and nude dancers. Can their innate urge to perpetuate the species be controlling them? Not likely.In the 1990's it has become acceptable for a woman to profit from sex. She has learned that what comes natural can make her rich. With such availability to contraceptives, abortion, and medicines for venereal disease, they can focus on the perpetuation of their pocketbooks. Evidently, women break the evolutionary mold and have multiple partners without the concern of reproduction.
 Here we see one weakness in an overall strong paper. The highlighted statements above are controversial. An opponent to this point of view might ask: Couldn't it also be possible that a desire to survive overrides a woman's instinct to limit her partners? That is, it is not culture, but one instinct taking precedence over another that determines the woman's behavior. The author's point could be made stronger if she addressed the opponent's perspective and/or if she used outside sources to back up these ideas.
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Evolutionary psychology cannot be set in stone because we are social creatures and have a huge capacity to learn. As Dryne (1998) reported, "Researchers assume that people are social beings in that they pay attention to the environment around them. This vital assumption means that sexual behavior can be taught"(p.5). As we learn or change sexual behavior the thread of evolutionary psychology is broken. It is possible that some day they could be convinced that we are right? Wright reports (1995), "Contrary to expectations, evolutionary psychologists subscribe to cardinal doctrine of the twentieth-century psychology: the potency of early social environment in shaping the adult mind" (p.5). Evolutionary psychologists themselves give merit to social learning.
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In the conclusion the author answers her initial question by saying that evolutionary psychology is not the only means of explanation; cultural factors must be considered as well.
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Dryne, D., Hogben, M. (1992). "Using Social Learning Theory to Explain Individual Difference in Human Sexuality." The Journal of Sex Research. 14: 5-48
Huse, S. (1986) The Collapse of Evolution. Grand Rapids: Baker House Books.
Meyers, D. (1998) Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers.
Wright, R. (1995) "Up from Gorilla Land: The Hidden Logic of Love and Lust." Psychology Today. 26-28
Wuethrich, B. (1993). "Evolutionists Pick uUp One Night Stands." Science News. 144: 6.
