This essay examines the role of evolutionary psychology in shaping the popular understanding of genetics and human behavior. Evolutionary psychology draws heavily on comparisons to other social mammals to speculate on the underlying biological bases of human social behavior. Although the discipline's relationship to genetic science is tangential, evolutionary psychology has heavily influenced popular ideas of genetics. We can see this best in depictions of wolves and men, most specifically in examples that embody both: the alpha male and the werewolf. Tracking this wolf-man through multiple genres—from werewolf films to dog-training manuals and supernatural romances—reveals a dramatic shift over the past several decades in the understanding of predatory male behavior: what once was seen as villainous has become sexy. Genes have been marshaled as a justification for embracing predatory sexuality and ruthless competition as a model of healthy, attractive masculinity.
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Popular proponents of evolutionary psychology insist that, if we accept Darwin’s theory of evolution, we must acknowledge today’s gender role behavior as a relic from the days when men were hunters. Trouble arises when these predatory men get confused about the difference between women and prey. [...] Outside of the popular sphere, evolutionary psychology remains quite controversial. (110)
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The alpha male has provided the writers of contemporary romances with a way to retain the domineering hero of bygone days while simultaneously updating the heroine to reflect the sensibilities of modern women, who apparently no longer relish the fantasy of being ignorant, helpless children. (118)
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