Out of Sight, On His Mind

Deals with a survey conducted by Todd Shackelford, an assistant
professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University regarding men's
separation anxiety from their partners. Relation between the length of
time men are away from their partners with men's desire to have sex with
them; Reasons behind the behavior.

By Jessica Rogers published January 1, 2000 - last reviewed on June 9, 2016

EVOLUTION

Women may be stereotyped as the clingy ones in a relationship, but
it's men who truly have separation anxiety.

The longer men are away from their partners, the more attractive
they find them and the more they want to have sex with them, says Todd
Shackelford, Ph.D. Women are not similarly affected by time away from
their lovers, his surveys show.

Men aren't necessarily more sensitive, says Shackelford, assistant
professor of psychology at Florida Atlantic University. He thinks they're
just acting on an ancient survival instinct--the fear that another man
might get to their partner, fertilize her egg and pass on his genes
first. Prior studies confirm the theory, showing that the longer a man
goes without sex, the more sperm he ejaculates when he next has
intercourse--nature's way of making up for lost time.