Use and Misuse of Evolutionary Psychology in Online Manosphere Communities: The Case of Female Mating Strategies

Abstract While early evolutionary accounts of female sexuality insisted on coyness and monogamous tendencies, evidence from the field primatology started challenging those assumptions in 1970s. Decades later, there exists many competing overlapping hypotheses stressing potential fitness benefits short-term extra-pair mating. Female mammals are now seen as enacting varied flexible reproductive strategies. This is both a victory for science, with better fit between theory reality, feminism, downfall narrow stereotypes about sexuality. However, mating strategies routinely invoked among antifeminist online communities collectively known “the manosphere”. Based extensive qualitative analysis manosphere discourse, this study shows how these sometimes interpreted misogynistic spaces. Indeed, scholars might be surprised to see sexist worldviews reinforced by “dual strategy” “sexy son” hypotheses, or latest research ovulatory cycle. The has its own version Evolutionary Psychology, mingling cutting-edge scientific theories personal narratives, sexual double standards, beliefs. After analyzing phenomenon, article suggests ways mitigate it.