Evolutionary Psychology

Ask men and women what they look for in a partner, and they will tell you that they are basically looking for someone who matches well with them in terms of wealth and status, family commitment, attractiveness, health and of course general physical appearance. Take a closer look at who these same men and women end up actually pursuing as potential partners, however, and a quite different story ensues... Read More

Which physical characteristics make for attraction? From facial symmetry, to body-mass-indices, waist-hip-ratios, to sexual dimorphism and skin color, many popular science reports evoke evolutionary explanations that link sexual attraction to improved health attributes. As a careful review of the literature reminds us, this evolutionary rational is not always appropriate... Read More

When a counselor mimics her client, the client perceives her as posessing greater empathy. When a waiter mimics his customer, he receives larger tips. so it might not come as a surprise that when speed daters mimic their dates they are perceived as physically more attractive... Read More

The connnection between halloween and chocolate is pretty obvious, but where does a marathon fit in? To understand this connection you may have to have been where I was today, at the race in Central Park, watching runners lurch toward the finish line. "It's the best drug I've ever had," one runner said to me after the race. "What, the runner's high?" I asked? Read More

By destroying nature, we're destroying the wellsprings of our life. But some people argue that we can adapt to these changes. I think it's a pernicious argument, and wrong, but grounded in some truth. I'd like to explain what I see going on here. Read More

Halloween cleans our bodies, our minds and our spirits, and prepares us for the coming of traditions of goodness -like Thankgiving, Christmas (and other holidays), and the New Year. Read More

 The Other Dirty Family Secret...Most parents who introduce their first born to a new brother or sister are well aware of, if not totally versed in, the difficulties that may arise. Parents read one or more of the books categorized as "how to introduce your child to a new sibling." Apparently much of this good intention and preparation goes unheeded. Read More

The change in psychology is in the air and many clu8es as to what it will be. I am asking what it will be? Read More

By turning speed dating events into social science experiments, psychologists are gaining new insights into human behavior and mate selection. This second post in the "science of speed dating" series takes a look at the role of arbitrary social conventions on how selective we are in our partner choices. In particular, it reconsiders the commonly held belief that women are inherently more selective about potential mates than men. Read More