>>I think the word 'scientific' is one of the most abused or confused words around.
Agreed, it is misused. But note that some of the research in any field will be of bad quality (the book on rape was probably one) -- and some will be good. You will have probabilities in all active research areas (see e.g. diet advice...).
Note that ideologically motivated people argue that researchers in all evolutionary biology are in a conspiracy or complete idiots.
Many of the critics of evolutionary psychology are obviously also ideologically motivated, but sure... they could be closer to the target than the creationists.
(Marxists and religious people have problems with lots of behavior being built in; don't ask me about the specifics. Don't tell me either, I don't really care).
(And note, most researchers in two fields -- intelligence and evolutionary psychology -- would have to be in a conspiracy for Gould to be honest... :-)
Note that ideologically motivated people argue that researchers in all evolutionary biology are in a conspiracy or complete idiots.
Note that alternative medicine, evolutionary psychologists, and creationists/intelligent designers will argue that the "establishment" scientists are in a conspiracy or complete idiots.
Agreed, it is misused. But note that some of the research in any field will be of bad quality (the book on rape was probably one) -- and some will be good. You will have probabilities in all active research areas (see e.g. diet advice...).
Note that ideologically motivated people argue that researchers in all evolutionary biology are in a conspiracy or complete idiots.
Many of the critics of evolutionary psychology are obviously also ideologically motivated, but sure... they could be closer to the target than the creationists.
(Marxists and religious people have problems with lots of behavior being built in; don't ask me about the specifics. Don't tell me either, I don't really care).
Here is quite a fun answer to some of that criticism: http://cogweb.ucla.edu/Debate/CEP_Gould.html
(And note, most researchers in two fields -- intelligence and evolutionary psychology -- would have to be in a conspiracy for Gould to be honest... :-)