Maiden Mother Matriarch with Louise Perry The Evolution of Mental Illness - Marco Del Giudice | Maiden Mother Matriarch Episode 149
Jun 18, 2025
In this discussion with Marco Del Giudice, an Associate Professor at the University of Trieste, the conversation dives deep into how our evolutionary history shapes mental illness. They explore the significant gender differences in personality traits and their impact on psychiatric conditions. COVID-19's psychological effects, especially on women, are examined in depth. Del Giudice also sheds light on the complexities of postpartum mental health and questions the implications of over-medication in response to modern societal pressures. A fascinating blend of biology and psychology!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Gender Personality Differences Detailed
- Men and women differ mostly in emotional reactivity and agreeableness traits like sensitivity and empathy.
- These differences emerge more clearly in detailed personality facets than broad traits like the Big Five.
Greater Male Variability in IQ
- Men show greater variability in IQ, with more males at both lower and higher extremes.
- This pattern challenges socialization-only explanations of cognitive sex differences.
Neuroticism Variability in Women
- Neuroticism is higher and more variable in women, especially the extreme neuroticism tail.
- This explains why the most visibly anxious people, like during COVID-19, tend to be women.