“Women and men both use “indirect aggression” in relationships—forms of aggression that are more passive than physical. But only women are accused of doing so because we’ve just evolved to be gossipy, backstabbing harpies. I’m referring to a report in The Daily Mail, tireless chronicler of women’s inherent vanity, bitchiness and overall inferiority. A new study suggests that young women use passive-aggressive ways when vying for sexual partners. And in the capable hands of the Mail, this latest bit of evolutionary psychology is so outrageously sexist that it’s (almost?) entertaining.

In the study—published in biology journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B—University of Ottawa psychology professor Tracy Vaillancourt looked at passive-aggressive behaviors such as spreading sexual rumors about someone, criticizing their appearance and social exclusion. “Human females have a particular proclivity” for these tactics, she concludes—an adaptation we allegedly developed because its “an effective intrasexual competition strategy.””* The Young Turks hosts Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian break it down.

*Read more here from Elizabeth Nolan Brown / Bustle:
http://www.bustle.com/articles/7721-study-says-women-evolved-to-be-gossipy-backstabbing-rivals

Let’s Build It Together! Join us for the next exciting chapter of TYT and build our next home with us. http://igg.me/at/TYTNetwork

Download audio and video of the full two hour show on-demand + the members-only post game show by becoming a member at http://tytnetwork.com/member-options/. Your membership supports the day to day operations and is vital for our continued success and growth.

Join The Young Turks Network mailing list http://tytnetwork.com/member-options/register-subscriber/

or Support The Young Turks by Subscribing http://www.youtube.com/user/theyoungturks

Like Us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheYoungTurks
Follow Us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks

Support TYT for FREE by doing your Amazon shopping through this link (bookmark it!) http://www.amazon.com/?tag=theyoungturks-20

Buy TYT Merch: http://theyoungturks.spreadshirt.com/