Evolutionary Psychology

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.

New research indicates that females are more sensitive to facial signs of illness than males, possibly due to evolutionary pressures regarding caregiving and disease avoidance.

Women use specific strategies to vet potential mates, according to new research. The study highlights "integration" into the family as a primary method for detecting dishonesty in dating contexts.

A new study suggests men unconsciously avoid status-signaling purchases when their partners are fertile. The research highlights how oxytocin and evolutionary instincts prioritize relationship maintenance over showing off to new mates.

Boredom might be a functional trait for those living on the edge. Researchers found that boredom proneness is strongly associated with "fast life history strategies" at both the individual and national levels.

Beauty may be a biological strategy for saving energy. Scientists found that the human brain and AI models expend less metabolic effort processing images perceived as attractive, suggesting our visual preferences help conserve bodily resources.

Researchers have found little evidence to support the theory that feminine morphological traits cue reproductive potential. A new analysis indicates that characteristics like waist-to-hip ratio are not reliable predictors of a woman’s fertility.