Sex Differences in the Creation of Female Superheroes in Popular Culture

1. Sex Differences in the Creation of Female Superheroes in Popular Culture Julia Ayeroff, Amber Nailes, Lily Tucker, & Scott Wolfson 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

2. Key points • Female superheroes created by men will be more likely to: • Be aggressive and physically powerful • Possess extraordinary superpowers • Engage in battles, often with weapons • Lack positive relationships, if any • Female superheroes created by women will be more likely to: • Be less aggressive and not particularly powerful • Not possess any superpowers – instead, may possess things like increased intelligence • Not engage in battles and not use weapons • Have 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/a0027917

3. Key points • These differences can be attributed to sex differences due to selective pressures • Males are power-driven and can benefit from physical conflict • Females are more concerned with taking care of themselves and their families, and therefore avoid such conflict 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

4. Video • Sexualisation of Female Superheroes

5. Critical review • Particularly interesting points: • Being an orphan is beneficial for superheroes • Females 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

6. Critical review • Concerning point: • Men seem to be portraying female superheroes as the ideal female to mate with (hence the fertile curves): shouldn’t 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

7. Discussion • Considering 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