Sex Differences in the Creation of Female Superheroes in Popular Culture

Julia Ayeroff, Amber Nailes, Lily Tucker, & Scott WolfsonSex Differences in the Creation of Female Superheroes in Popular CultureIngalls, V. (2012). Sex differences in the creation of fictional heroes with particular emphasis on female heroes and superheroes in popular culture: Insights from evolutionary psychology. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 208-221. doi:10.1037/a0027917

1Key pointsFemale superheroes created by men will be more likely to:Be aggressive and physically powerfulPossess extraordinary superpowersEngage in battles, often with weaponsLack positive relationships, if anyFemale superheroes created by women will be more likely to:Be less aggressive and not particularly powerfulNot possess any superpowers instead, may possess things like increased intelligenceNot engage in battles and not use weaponsHave positive relationships

Ingalls, V. (2012). Sex differences in the creation of fictional heroes with particular emphasis on female heroes and superheroes in popular culture: Insights from evolutionary psychology. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 208-221. doi:10.1037/a0027917Evidence:

18 books by 9 men and 9 women were studied. In the books by men, four of the female heroes had superpowers that overpowered the other characters. In the books by women, none of the female heroes possessed extraordinary powers.In four of the books by men, female heroes used weapons. Only two of the female heroes in books by women did so.In all nine of the books by men, the females fought in climactic battles, whereas this happened in only half of the books by women. In the books written by women, most female heroes had positive relationships with parents and/or siblings. In the books written by men, many of the heroes were orphans. If they did have relationships, they were often negative.2Key pointsThese differences can be attributed to sex differences due to selective pressuresMales are power-driven and can benefit from physical conflictFemales are more concerned with taking care of themselves and their families, and therefore avoid such conflictIngalls, V. (2012). Sex differences in the creation of fictional heroes with particular emphasis on female heroes and superheroes in popular culture: Insights from evolutionary psychology. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 208-221. doi:10.1037/a0027917

Males are evolutionarily motivated to display their dominance. A male that enters a physical fight and comes out on top would be the one able to court the females in the ancestral environment. This tendency towards aggression comes out in the characters that male authors create.

Females are evolutionarily motivated to do the opposite, and stay away from physical conflict. The risk of bodily harm lowers their chances of being fertile and reproductively successful. They also have more nurturing qualities because they invest so much in their offspring. Once again, these facets of sexual selection are apparent in the characters that female authors create.3VideoSexualisation of Female Superheroes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOHSN4pCPaQ

Skip ahead to 0:25.4Critical reviewParticularly interesting points:Being an orphan is beneficial for superheroesFemales actually admire the sexier (usually male-authored) female superheroes because they appear very fertile

Ingalls, V. (2012). Sex differences in the creation of fictional heroes with particular emphasis on female heroes and superheroes in popular culture: Insights from evolutionary psychology. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 208-221. doi:10.1037/a0027917

It was found that orphan did not have to worry about anybody else, and could therefore be stronger and more successful. This is interesting considering that society places high value on families and positive relationships.

You might expect that females would be offended by the way female superheroes tend to be portrayed. But actually, real women tended to admire these sexy superheroes more than less sexy ones. This is probably because the sexy female superheroes display traits that contribute to reproductive success curvy figures, strength, youth. 5Critical reviewConcerning point:Men seem to be portraying female superheroes as the ideal female to mate with (hence the fertile curves): shouldnt they be less aggressive and powerful and instead more nurturing?

Ingalls, V. (2012). Sex differences in the creation of fictional heroes with particular emphasis on female heroes and superheroes in popular culture: Insights from evolutionary psychology. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 208-221. doi:10.1037/a0027917

It would seem that female superheroes created by men are what men think of as ideal, with all of their curves and reproductive attractiveness. But they make these sexy superheroes aggressive, powerful, and independent in terms of relationships wouldnt the ideal female not only be curvy but also be less aggressive and instead more nurturing?6DiscussionConsidering the above concern, why do you think this is? Do you think men are portraying a woman they want to mate with, or are they perhaps channeling some kind of other desire by portraying these ultra-strong women?

Ingalls, V. (2012). Sex differences in the creation of fictional heroes with particular emphasis on female heroes and superheroes in popular culture: Insights from evolutionary psychology. Review of General Psychology, 16(2), 208-221. doi:10.1037/a0027917

So our discussion question is to say what you think about the above concern.7