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Maryanne L. Fisher Ph.D.

About

Maryanne L. Fisher, Ph.D., is a Full Professor and award-winning teacher in the Department of Psychology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax and an Affiliate Faculty member at the Kinsey Institute in Bloomington, Indiana. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the American Psychological Association’s Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology (anticipated 2026) and edited the Oxford Handbook of Women and Competition (2017; Oxford University Press). She was also the lead editor of Evolution’s Empress: Darwinian Perspectives on the Nature of Women (2013; Oxford University Press). Her research primarily pertains to the intersection of feminism(s) and evolutionary perspectives, as well as women’s intrasexual mating competition, issues surrounding mothering, sex-specific mating strategies, and the application of evolutionary psychology to understand popular culture. She has published over 125 peer-reviewed journal articles primarily related to interpersonal relationships (for more information, see www.maryannefisher.com).

Books by Maryanne L. Fisher Ph.D.
Recent Posts
The Science Behind Falling in Love
Although you might feel that your experience of falling in love is unique, science can explain why you have lost your appetite or why you think the sky is bluer than normal.
Turning Friends into Porn Stars

People have been looking at their ‘friends' on Facebook for years now, and men especially have been fantasizing about the people they know using this site. New software now explicitly helps us take those unsuspecting friends into pornographic directions.

People have been looking at their ‘friends' on Facebook for years now, and men especially have been fantasizing about the people they know using this site. New software now explicitly helps us take those unsuspecting friends into pornographic directions.

New Findings about Americans' Sexual Experiences

What percentage of Americans aged 15-44 have had oral sex? Sexual intercourse? Experience with same-sex partners? Does education affect sexual activity? Sure does - those with higher education are more likely to have experience with oral sex.

What percentage of Americans aged 15-44 have had oral sex? Sexual intercourse? Experience with same-sex partners? Does education affect sexual activity? Sure does - those with higher education are more likely to have experience with oral sex.

Sexual Monogamy Does Not "Lead" to Happiness

It’s simply wrong to assume that sexual promiscuity causes unhappiness. This is certainly an interesting issue, but we must also remember that it’s a complex one.

It’s simply wrong to assume that sexual promiscuity causes unhappiness. This is certainly an interesting issue, but we must also remember that it’s a complex one.

The dark side of friendship

For some unknown reason in our evolved psychology, we often like to watch ‘tall poppies' do poorly, even if that person is a "friend." If we feel someone doesn't deserve something, we might be very happy to see them fail.

For some unknown reason in our evolved psychology, we often like to watch ‘tall poppies' do poorly, even if that person is a "friend." If we feel someone doesn't deserve something, we might be very happy to see them fail.

Yes, Women Do Compete for Men

Women — and to a lesser extent, men — compete against same-sex rivals for mates. Much of this competition is unconscious, and some of it can be disguised.

Women — and to a lesser extent, men — compete against same-sex rivals for mates. Much of this competition is unconscious, and some of it can be disguised.

Exercise for Better Sex

Sex can be physically tiring, just like any other physical activity, particularly if it's sustained for a long duration. With the spring around the corner, and people's thoughts turn to love (and lust), now is a good time to think about exercise.

Sex can be physically tiring, just like any other physical activity, particularly if it's sustained for a long duration. With the spring around the corner, and people's thoughts turn to love (and lust), now is a good time to think about exercise.