Like a Sister: Women and Friendship Presented by: Stefanie Banduria and Stephanie Guzman

Chapter 5 from: Chapter 5 from:  Campbell, A. (2002). A Mind of her Own: The Evolutionary Psychology of Women. New York City: NY: Oxford University Press, 5,

Video Clip  Interview with Ann Curry regarding female friendships

The Two Dimensions  Agency-dominance over others. Characterizes men Characterizes men Adolescence boys rate social dominance and toughness as more important in interpersonal relations.Adolescence boys rate social dominance and toughness as more important in interpersonal relations.  Communion-bonding and interdependence with others. Characterizes women Characterizes women Young girls rate interpersonal relationships and sensitivity.Young girls rate interpersonal relationships and sensitivity.

Women vs. Men Friendships  Women’s friendships differ from men both quantitatively and qualitatively.  Adolescent girl friendships are more intimate and exclusive. Young girls prefer one or two intimate friends whereas young boys prefer to play in larger groups. Young girls prefer one or two intimate friends whereas young boys prefer to play in larger groups.

The Puzzle of Female Friendships  Kin Care in the Animal World  Female dispersion/transfer Pattern occurs in hamadryas baboons, some spider monkeys, chimpanzees and humans. Pattern occurs in hamadryas baboons, some spider monkeys, chimpanzees and humans.  Male solidarity  Female Primates Differences between primates. Differences between primates.

Altruism  Communal Sharing- individual identities merged into a greater whole. Mother towards her child Mother towards her child  Exchange Relationships-based on rewards and costs in a relationship. Payment to a plumber is immediate. Payment to a plumber is immediate.

Altruism Outside of Kin  Females find a friend who is similar to oneself Attitude and personality  Concerned with common character Men: common interests

Women are More Socially Sensitive  Read non-verbal behavior  Autism and Asperger syndrome Males highly outnumber females Males highly outnumber females  Sex differences in empathy seen in female infants. Respond to distress of another child with greater emotional arousal. Respond to distress of another child with greater emotional arousal.

Why are women communal?  Recreate new bonds when they leave kin  Ensure safety of offspring Avoid conflict with other females Avoid conflict with other females  Safety in numbers Food Food Controlling kinds of defensible foods.Controlling kinds of defensible foods.

Bonobos  Tolerance or preference?  Female affiliation=instrument for gaining access to men.  Friendships cemented by mutual grooming and genital rubbing.

Men, Women, and Female Friends  Women cannot form a powerful alliance because of existing competition for men  Females still retain intimate friendships Safety from male aggression Safety from male aggression  Male violence increases Main resource provider Main resource provider Rights to family affairs Rights to family affairs Ensure paternity Ensure paternity

3 Informative Points  Autism and Aspergers are linked to the theory of females being more socially sensitive.  Females form intimate bonds mainly because of the sense of safety they get from it.  Females retain friends for the safety because over time males have become more violent due to paternity insecurity.

Critique  The author does not state a definite answer for the reason for female transfer.  Sex differences in empathy can be seen in actual response, but not in physiological measurements.

Multiple Choice Questions 1. Which type of altruist relationship is the norm in most societies? A.Communal Sharing B.Exchange Relationship C.All of the above 2. The ability to “mind read” is affected in individuals with the following: A.Autism B.Asperger Syndrome C.All of the above

Multiple Choice Questions 3. Women forge intimate bonds with females: A.To ensure their safety B.To protect their offspring C.In order to create the bonds found from kin D.All of the above.

True/False Questions  The two types of altruism relationships are agency and exchange relationship.  Women forge communal bonds because they offer a sense of safety in a world where patriarchy and male control of the family make life dangerous for a female alone.  Autism and Asperger syndrome are two disorders that support the theory stating that females are more socially sensitive than males.

Answers to Questions  Multiple Choice 1. B. 1. B. 2. C. 2. C. 3. D. 3. D.  True/False 1. False 1. False 2. True 2. True 3. True 3. True