Evolutionary Psychology

New research suggests women experience a distinct dip in sexual desire during the implantation window. Scientists believe this decrease may be an evolutionary adaptation to protect the body from infection when the immune system is naturally suppressed.

A new study published in PLOS Biology finds that penis size influences how men are assessed by others. The research suggests the trait evolved through both female mate choice and male competition to signal dominance.

A new study suggests that people from harsh childhoods invest more energy in seeking new partners. This "mating effort" is linked to lower satisfaction and higher conflict in adult relationships, independent of attachment style.

A new study reveals that watching strangers interact affectionately reduces heart rate variability. This suggests that observing social bonding in others triggers physiological alertness rather than the expected sense of safety or relaxation.

Anger and hatred are often conflated, but new research provides evidence that they serve distinctly different evolutionary roles.

New research suggests women prioritize safety when choosing partners. While masculine faces are often preferred, this preference disappears if the face also signals aggression, indicating a “risk-first” approach to mate selection.

New research provides evidence that women with high levels of psychopathy are more likely to use physical, verbal, and indirect aggression. The findings suggest these personality traits influence how women compete with rivals.

New research indicates that men with higher general intelligence are less likely to engage in insults, sexual coercion, or manipulative tactics. The findings suggest cognitive ability may help buffer against aggressive relationship behaviors.

Psychopathy may offer reproductive advantages that sadism does not, according to a Frontiers in Psychology study. Researchers found that while psychopathy correlates with having more children earlier in life, sadism predicts the opposite outcome.

While research often focuses on attracting partners, a new study reveals that difficulties in maintaining relationships are a primary reason many people remain single, particularly after a breakup or by choice.

A new study suggests that Western adults are cultural outliers who learn to reject a natural human love for ornamentation.

New research suggests that a potential partner’s willingness to protect you from danger is a primary driver of attraction. The study found this trait often outweighs actual physical strength, persisting even if the partner fails to stop the threat.

Body weight might not be a strong indicator of reproductive physiology during sex. A study of couples found that male and female BMI were unrelated to sperm count, motility, or volume, contradicting earlier findings.

A new experiment reveals that male hormone levels influence the decision to punish social injustice. The findings suggest that testosterone helps regulate behavior based on the physical attractiveness of the victim.