evolutionarypsychology
What makes a person beautiful has fascinated artists and scientists for centuries. Beauty is not, as it is often assumed to be, “in the eye of the beholder” – but follows certain predictable rules. Symmetry and proportions play a role, and though culture and norms shape our perception of beauty, researchers observe a consistently striking agreement among people on whom they regard as beautiful. Not surprisingly the beauty market has been on a steady rise (besides a minor 2020 Covid slump), reaching $430 billion in revenue in 2023, according to a recent McKinsey report. The fascination for the ...
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New research, published in the journal Evolutionary Psychology, provides evidence that biracial people are viewed more positively than their monoracial counterparts, potentially due to the historical and genetic implications of their ancestry. This study conducted in both the United States and China found that biracial individuals were perceived as more attractive, trustworthy, intelligent, and likely to be successful than others, challenging existing notions of racial bias and favoritism. The motivation behind this study stems from a growing interest in interracial relationships and their soc...
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In a world that often emphasizes superficial qualities, a recent study has unveiled a refreshing perspective on human relationships and preferences. Researchers have found that, regardless of sexual orientation, individuals prioritize intelligence and kindness over physical attractiveness, health, or socioeconomic status when choosing a partner. This study, conducted in Brazil and published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, not only sheds light on the universal nature of these preferences but also highlights the subtle nuances that sexual orientation and gender bring to the dynamics of partn...
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A recent study published in Evolutionary Psychology found that immunization led to an increase in perceived body odor attractiveness and a decrease in facial attractiveness. Social species, including humans, have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to detect and avoid contagious others, effectively mitigating the spread of infectious diseases within their communities. This ability to discern others’ health status is critical due to the inherent risks posed by high population densities and frequent social interactions. Researchers have identified various perceptual cues—ranging from visual signals...
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Our ability to interpret emotions on the faces of others may be less innate than previously thought. New research examined to what extent the culture people grew up in and the availability of words that let us categorize a spectrum of emotional ideas and experiences play a role in interpreting emotional faces. They found that for people from certain cultures, certain words alter how brain regions interact with one another when observing emotions on others’ faces, implying that emotions are not universally understood. Body language and the understanding thereof is a crucial part of communicatio...
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A study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science found that romantic jealousy in intimate relationships is linked to mate value discrepancies, attitudes toward cheating, and opposite-sex interactions, with significant gender differences and implications for partner behavior and freedom. Romantic jealousy, an emotionally charged response to perceived threats to a relationship, has been scrutinized for its dual role: on one hand, it is associated with numerous negative outcomes, such as relationship dissolution, domestic violence, and mental health issues; on the other, it is argued to se...
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In studying human sexuality and relationships, few concepts have sparked as much debate as Sigmund Freud’s Madonna-Whore complex. This psychological theory, first articulated in the early 20th century, suggests that men divide women into two polar categories: the Madonna, representing purity and maternity, and the Whore, embodying sexual availability and vice. A recent paper published in Evolutionary Psychological Science offers an evolutionary explanation for the Madonna-Whore complex. The dichotomy of female sexuality is not a novel invention of Freud’s. Literature, long before Freud, grappl...
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A recent study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science investigated why physically attractive women often become the targets of negative gossip, a phenomenon highlighted by the treatment of the character Malèna in the film of the same name. Previous research suggested that this gossip stems from intrasexual competition—women competing for desirable partners. In this work, Yijia Dong and colleagues go further by examining how romantic jealousy and self-esteem play roles in this behavior, proposing that jealousy drives women to gossip about attractive rivals, while self-esteem levels mod...
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In a groundbreaking study examining one of the most influential theories of cultural evolution and geographic determinism, a team of ecologists and cultural evolutionists from the United States, Germany, and New Zealand has undertaken an extensive examination of Jared Diamond’s hypothesis on the axis of orientation. The findings have been published in the journal Evolutionary Human Sciences. Their research, drawing upon a vast array of cultural, environmental, and linguistic databases, challenges the notion that Eurasia’s geographic layout inherently facilitated a quicker spread of critical in...
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In various professions and educational fields, there’s an imbalance between men and women. For instance, fewer women are found in STEM careers and top positions in hospitals. While women often hit a “glass ceiling,” an invisible barrier that blocks them from high-paying roles, men might encounter a “glass cellar,” pushing them into more dangerous jobs. A study published in Evolutionary Psychological Science points to the possibility that personal choices, influenced by physical and psychological differences between the sexes, play a significant role in shaping career paths and opportunities. W...
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