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Desire For Social Status Affects Marital And Reproductive Attitudes: A Life History Mismatch Perspective, Amy J. Lim, Norman P. Li, Zoi Manesi, Steven L. Neuberg, Mark Van Vugt, Andrea L. Meltzer, Kenneth Tan Jun 2023

Desire For Social Status Affects Marital And Reproductive Attitudes: A Life History Mismatch Perspective, Amy J. Lim, Norman P. Li, Zoi Manesi, Steven L. Neuberg, Mark Van Vugt, Andrea L. Meltzer, Kenneth Tan

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Modern low fertility is an unresolved paradox. Despite the tremendous financial growth and stability in modern societies, birth rates are steadily dropping. Almost half of the world's population lives in countries with below-replacement fertility and is projected for a continued decline. Drawing on life history theory and an evolutionary mismatch perspective, we propose that desire for social status (which is increasingly experienced by individuals in industrialized, modern societies) is a key factor affecting critical reproductive preferences. Across two experimental studies (total N = 719), we show that activating a desire for status can lead people to prefer reproductive tradeoffs that …


Disgust Sensitivity Relates To Attitudes Toward Gay Men And Lesbian Women Across 31 Nations, F. Van Leeuwen, Y. Inbar, M. B. Petersen, L. Aaroe, P. Barclay, F. K. Barlow, M. De Barra, D. V. Becker, L. Borovoi, J. Choi, N. S. Consedine, J. R. Conway, P. Conway, V. C. Adoric, Li, Norman P. Apr 2023

Disgust Sensitivity Relates To Attitudes Toward Gay Men And Lesbian Women Across 31 Nations, F. Van Leeuwen, Y. Inbar, M. B. Petersen, L. Aaroe, P. Barclay, F. K. Barlow, M. De Barra, D. V. Becker, L. Borovoi, J. Choi, N. S. Consedine, J. R. Conway, P. Conway, V. C. Adoric, Li, Norman P.

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Previous work has reported a relation between pathogen-avoidance motivations and prejudice toward various social groups, including gay men and lesbian women. It is currently unknown whether this association is present across cultures, or specific to North America. Analyses of survey data from adult heterosexuals (N = 11,200) from 31 countries showed a small relation between pathogen disgust sensitivity (an individual-difference measure of pathogen-avoidance motivations) and measures of antigay attitudes. Analyses also showed that pathogen disgust sensitivity relates not only to antipathy toward gay men and lesbians, but also to negativity toward other groups, in particular those associated with violations of …


Why We Experience Musical Emotions: William Gardiner’S “The Music Of Nature” Revisited, Daniela L. Boero Dr. May 2022

Why We Experience Musical Emotions: William Gardiner’S “The Music Of Nature” Revisited, Daniela L. Boero Dr.

The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE)

This paper focuses and expands on the ideas of William Gardiner, an amateur musician who was the first to propose that human emotions experienced in music listening might be inspired by “the sounds of nature.” His book has been ignored for almost two centuries. We revisit his hypothesis from an evolutionary psychology approach. This contribution reviews environmental psychology and musical studies which focus on emotional reactions to basic musical cues such as pitch, timbre, and loudness, and also, on animal communication studies. Reported literature confirms the hypothesis that our ancestral soundscape might have shaped, at least in part, the basic …


Factors That Promote Or Predict Infidelity, Bryan Kwok Cheng Choy, Norman P. Li Oct 2021

Factors That Promote Or Predict Infidelity, Bryan Kwok Cheng Choy, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Depending on the theoretical perspective taken (e.g., biological, evolutionary, relationships science, individual differences), different factors can promote or predict infidelity. While each factor may independently contribute to infidelity, it is likely that the occurrence of infidelity is contingent on a multitude of factors.


With A Little Help From My (Undesirable) Friends: The Influence Of Sex Ratio On Preferences For The Relative Mate Value Of Friends, Bryan Kwok Cheng Choy Jun 2020

With A Little Help From My (Undesirable) Friends: The Influence Of Sex Ratio On Preferences For The Relative Mate Value Of Friends, Bryan Kwok Cheng Choy

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The present research examined whether who men and women choose to befriend reflects evolved desires for managing intrasexual competition for mates. It is reasoned that individuals should display a stronger preference for others of relatively lower mate value to oneself when the local ecology exhibits signs of intense intrasexual competition (when the operational sex ratio [OSR] is most unfavorable). Conversely, an unfavorable OSR was expected to reduce the desirability of others of similar or higher mate value. The possibility that this effect would be sex differentiated was also examined. In particular, it was reasoned that these predictions should hold for …


A Biopsychosocial Interpretation Of The Function Of Religion Evolutionary Perspectives, Jamesian Principles, And Consequential Effects, Austin Avison Apr 2020

A Biopsychosocial Interpretation Of The Function Of Religion Evolutionary Perspectives, Jamesian Principles, And Consequential Effects, Austin Avison

Student Scholars Day Oral Presentations

This article seeks to assess the psychological role in which religion plays within human emotion, behavior, and mental processes. The aims of this research are to provide a psychological oriented basis for interpreting the function of religion within human operation and interaction. First, by incorporating contributions that have been made within the subfield of evolutionary psychology in assessing the evolutionary and adaptive basis in which religious cognition and experience emerged. Further, by addressing the theoretical contributions made within Terror Management Theory in accounting for a psychological function that religion serves. Third, by incorporating the ideas of William James in providing …


Solving Mate Shortages: Lowering Standards, Searching Farther, And Abstaining, Peter K. Jonason, Simone L. Betes, Norman P. Li Feb 2020

Solving Mate Shortages: Lowering Standards, Searching Farther, And Abstaining, Peter K. Jonason, Simone L. Betes, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Although much work on mating psychology has focused on mate preferences and responses to desirable sexual and romantic offers, less is known about what happens when individuals face a lack of mating options. We present 2 studies on (hypothetical) compensatory mating tactics. In Study 1 (N = 299), participants were asked to imagine they were struggling to find long-term and short-term mates and we revealed sex differences and context-specific effects consistent with parental investment theory. In Study 2 (N = 282), participants were asked to imagine they had been incapable of finding a short-term and long-term mate for 6 months …


Mate Preferences Among Single Mothers, Carol Yvette Franco May 2018

Mate Preferences Among Single Mothers, Carol Yvette Franco

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As individuals become parents, they shift time and energy towards parenting to ensure the survival and wellbeing of their offspring. However, it is not uncommon for a romantic partnership between parents to dissolve, which may lead a single mother to pursue a new partner in the future. But how does having a dependent child influence whom she will choose for her new partner? And how will resource availability and assistance from family influence the decisions she makes? A significant amount of research has been conducted on female mate preferences in the United States and elsewhere, yet little is specifically focused …


Theatre For Development: “The Wanna Be”, Joshua Dominguez Dec 2014

Theatre For Development: “The Wanna Be”, Joshua Dominguez

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The college experience in American culture is a popular topic that is being questioned throughout the media. It is being questioned on a weekly basis in today’s media and brings to light issues that have not been questioned for decades. Some of the main issues such as diversity within institutions, the "Greek System", and sexual assault are all being spotlighted and widely advertised as problems that need focusing on putting an end to. This new era of college students are being challenged to recognize these heavy, yet important issues that are effecting campuses across the nation. Through Theatre for Development …


Mate Preferences Do Predict Attraction And Choices In The Early Stages Of Mate Selection, Norman P. Li, Jose C. Yong, William Tov, Oliver Sng, Garth J. O. Fletcher, Katherine A. Valentine, Yun F. Jiang, Daniel Balliet Nov 2013

Mate Preferences Do Predict Attraction And Choices In The Early Stages Of Mate Selection, Norman P. Li, Jose C. Yong, William Tov, Oliver Sng, Garth J. O. Fletcher, Katherine A. Valentine, Yun F. Jiang, Daniel Balliet

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Although mate preference research has firmly established that men value physical attractiveness more than women do and women value social status more than men do, recent speed-dating studies have indicated mixed evidence (at best) for whether people’s sex-differentiated mate preferences predict actual mate choices. According to an evolutionary, mate preference priority model (Li, Bailey, Kenrick, & Linsenmeier, 2002; Li & KENRICK, 2006; Li, Valentine, & Patel, 2011), the sexes are largely similar in what they ideally like, but for long-term mates, they should differ on what they most want to avoid in early selection contexts. Following this model, we conducted …


Playing Hard-To-Get: Manipulating One's Perceived Availability As A Mate, Peter K. Jonason, Norman P. Li Sep 2013

Playing Hard-To-Get: Manipulating One's Perceived Availability As A Mate, Peter K. Jonason, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

‘Playing hard-to-get’ is a mating tactic in which people give the impression that they are ostensibly uninterested to get others to desire them more. This topic has received little attention because of theoretical and methodological limitations of prior work. We present four studies drawn from four different American universities that examined playing hard-to-get as part of a supply-side economics model of dating. In Studies 1a (N = 100) and 1b (N = 491), we identified the tactics that characterize playing hard-to-get and how often men and women enact them. In Study 2 (N = 290), we assessed reasons why men …


The Importance Of Female Choice: Evolutionary Perspectives On Constraints, Expressions, And Variations, David Frederick, Tania A. Reynolds, Maryanne L. Fisher Jan 2013

The Importance Of Female Choice: Evolutionary Perspectives On Constraints, Expressions, And Variations, David Frederick, Tania A. Reynolds, Maryanne L. Fisher

Psychology Faculty Books and Book Chapters

This chapter introduces the reader to some of the influential perspectives on female mate choice in human evolutionary biology, including parental investment theory. We then present two key theories in evolutionary psychology that have been applied to understand variations in women’s mating preferences and choices: sexual strategies theory and strategic pluralism theory. Although the importance of female choice has gained widespread acceptance in the biological sciences, the influence that female choice has on mating systems can be limited by many factors, such as control over mating decisions by parents and men’s control over women’s sexuality. Despite these constraints on female …


Ovulation Leads Women To Perceive Sexy Cads As Good Dads, Kristina M. Durante, Vladas Griskevicius, Jeffry A. Simpson, Stephanie M. Canfu, Norman P. Li Aug 2012

Ovulation Leads Women To Perceive Sexy Cads As Good Dads, Kristina M. Durante, Vladas Griskevicius, Jeffry A. Simpson, Stephanie M. Canfu, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Why do some women pursue relationships with men who are attractive, dominant, and charming but who do not want to be in relationships—the prototypical sexy cad? Previous research shows that women have an increased desire for such men when they are ovulating, but it is unclear why ovulating women would think it is wise to pursue men who may be unfaithful and could desert them. Using both college-age and community-based samples, in 3 studies we show that ovulating women perceive charismatic and physically attractive men, but not reliable and nice men, as more committed partners and more devoted future fathers. …


Cash In Hand, Want Better Looking Mate: Significant Resource Cues Raise Reported Mating Standards In Men, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li Jul 2012

Cash In Hand, Want Better Looking Mate: Significant Resource Cues Raise Reported Mating Standards In Men, Jose C. Yong, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Resources are a cardinal component of male mate value in the sexual exchange between men and women. Inspired by theories and research suggesting a link between mating and resource constructs as well as studies linking money and valuations of others, the current study tests the hypothesis that cues to resource availability may lead to higher mating standards for men, but not women. Participants were exposed to either stacks of paper, a small sum of money (104 Singapore dollars ~USD$84), or a large sum of money (2600 Singapore dollars ~USD$2100). Consistent with the hypothesis, after male – but not female – …


It Is Not All About The Benjamins: Understanding Preferences For Mates With Resources, Peter K. Jonason, Norman P. Li, Laura Madson Feb 2012

It Is Not All About The Benjamins: Understanding Preferences For Mates With Resources, Peter K. Jonason, Norman P. Li, Laura Madson

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

We contend that preferences for mates with resources or money might be calibrated on where a potential mate gets her/his money. In three studies (N = 668) we examined the nature of individuals’ preferences for mates who have resources or money. Both sexes preferred a long-term mate who has earned her/his money over other sources. In particular, women preferred mates who earned their money over other potential means of getting resources (i.e., inheritance, embezzlement, and windfall). Women maintained a high level of interest in mates who earned their money regardless of duration of the mateship whereas men became less interested …


Human Mating, Peter K. Jonason, Katherine A. Valentine, Norman P. Li Jan 2012

Human Mating, Peter K. Jonason, Katherine A. Valentine, Norman P. Li

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Theories and empirical findings of human mating are addressed in this article. Because of differential parental investment, men generally prefer short-term mating and women generally prefer long-term mating, and therefore must negotiate between their differential ideals. Booty-calls, friends-with-benefits, and consensual nonmonogamy are presented as compromises between male and female relationship type ideals. Sexual conflict in the form of infidelity, jealousy, sexual harassment, and rape occur when there is a break-down in negotiations. The adaptive reasons behind these behaviors and preferences are explored.


Maternal Defense: Breastfeeding Heightens Aggression By Reducing Stress, Jennifer Hahn-Holbrook, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Colin Holbrook, Sarah M. Coyne, E. Thomas Lawson Jan 2011

Maternal Defense: Breastfeeding Heightens Aggression By Reducing Stress, Jennifer Hahn-Holbrook, Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Colin Holbrook, Sarah M. Coyne, E. Thomas Lawson

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Mothers in numerous species exhibit heightened aggression in defense of their young. This shift typically coincides with the duration of lactation in nonhuman mammals, which suggests that human mothers may display similarly accentuated aggressiveness while breast feeding. Here we report the first behavioral evidence for heightened aggression in lactating humans. Breast-feeding mothers inflicted louder and longer punitive sound bursts on unduly aggressive confederates than did formula-feeding mothers or women who had never been pregnant. Maternal aggression in other mammals is thought to be facilitated by the buffering effect of lactation on stress responses. Consistent with the animal literature, our results …


Book Review: Buller Does To Evolutionary Psychology What Kitcher Did To Sociobiology, Harmon R. Holcomb Iii Jan 2005

Book Review: Buller Does To Evolutionary Psychology What Kitcher Did To Sociobiology, Harmon R. Holcomb Iii

Philosophy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.