Evolutionary Psychology

A large study finds that reactions to infidelity vary not only by sex but also by sexual orientation and psychological traits. Traits like masculinity, femininity, and sexual attraction appear to shape jealousy in more flexible, dimensional ways than once thought.

A study in Evolution and Human Behavior challenges the idea that hormonal changes shape women’s attraction to men’s faces, finding no effect of oral contraceptives or menstrual cycle hormones on preferences for masculinity or symmetry.

Scientists have long recognized that women actively compete for partners, but the specific ingredients of a threatening rival have been debated. A new study published in Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences attempts to build a clearer model of this dynamic by examining...

The desire for plumper lips may be driven more by women than men. A recent study shows that preferences for lip size are largely shaped by own-gender biases, challenging assumptions about who cosmetic procedures appeal to.

A large-scale study has found that people tend to pair based on shared social environments, not simply educational attainment. Published in Nature Communications, the research challenges key assumptions about assortative mating and how advantage is passed from parents to children.

Romantic partnerships are central to many lives, but what about those who go without? A major new study explores the well-being of people who have never had sex, finding connections to loneliness, happiness, and surprising environmental and genetic factors.

A new study reveals that people with higher autistic traits perceive facial attractiveness differently. Researchers found a link between these traits and a stronger preference for masculine features in both male and female faces.

Sex differences in aggression may depend on who the target is. A large cross-cultural study shows that women are at least as aggressive as men toward their siblings—a pattern that contrasts with broader trends in non-family interactions.

Mass murderers tend to be either socially rejected young men or middle-aged men facing personal collapse, according to a new systematic review. The findings highlight how developmental stage and stress exposure shape violent behavior through evolved psychological mechanisms.

A person’s sexual history can shape how desirable they seem as a long-term partner. But a new cross-cultural study suggests people aren’t applying different standards to men and women.

People with stronger olfactory abilities reported slightly higher emotional and intellectual intimacy in their relationships, while higher pathogen and sexual disgust were unexpectedly associated with more physical closeness, according to a new study exploring sensory-emotional factors in romantic bonding.

A new study finds that while moderate eyelash length is seen as most attractive and healthiest, longer lashes are linked to greater perceived sexual receptivity—suggesting that long eyelashes may signal openness to casual relationships, despite lower attractiveness ratings.

Researchers have uncovered evidence that links disease-avoidance motives to religiosity. Rather than tradition or ethnocentrism, the findings point to sexual conservatism—specifically, a preference for monogamy—as the psychological bridge between disgust and religious devotion.

Despite its reputation for secularism and science literacy, a new study finds that many Danes still hold supernatural beliefs. From psychic energy to ghosts, these beliefs show strong demographic patterns—and challenge assumptions about modern rationality.

New research finds that men high in psychopathy and sexual desire, and women who are less picky with matches, report more sexual encounters via Tinder. The findings suggest dating apps favor fast, opportunistic mating strategies shaped by personality.