Editor's Selection: Evolution, Ancestors, Love, and PMDD

Tweet

Without any ado, here are the social science selections on peer reviewed research for the past week:

• At Neuroanthropology, Dan Lende provides stellar coverage on an article that challenges the relationship between behavioral modernity and evolution, proposing instead that researchers focus on behavioral variability.

• Brian Switek's excellent discussion on our evolutionary relationship to early hominid remains is a must read for anthro students -- and anyone interested in fossil history. Brian clearly guides the reader to through the fossil identification process, anchoring the discussion in historical practices that have trickled down to the present.

• The Neurocritic questions the notion of romantic love -- does it truly exist? For the most part, the answer is yes. However, scientists have yet to determine where it is based in our brains.

• At Context and Variation, Kate Clancy once again tackles "lady business." This time she delivers a thoughtful analysis regarding a paper on premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), finding that hormonal data leaves room for improvement.

• Stephanie Zvan of Almost Diamonds provides an in depth look at how research is manipulated to generate policies, using the sex-industry as an example.

I'll be back next Thursday with more selections from the social sciences!