Attraction, Evolved

Mating

Are You a Sucker for a Bad Boy or Girl?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on March 28, 2026

Psychologists in Austria investigate why people with Dark Tetrad personalities often experience greater dating success.

Sex

Are Women Actually Less Sexually Satisfied Than Men?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on February 27, 2026

Women may be more motivated to exaggerate satisfaction.

Mating

What Really Makes Us Attracted to Each Other?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on January 19, 2026

Do we seek one great quality in a partner, or several smaller ones?

Mating

It's a Match! Assortative Mating on Tinder

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on September 30, 2020

Are we similar to the partners we seek on mobile dating apps?

Sport and Competition

Why Some Men Will Pay So Much for Engagement Rings

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on August 31, 2020

Competition, real or not, influences investment.

Leadership

The Partner Premium and Penalty

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on July 31, 2020

A "trophy spouse" impacts perceptions of a leader's ability, with effects differing for male and female leaders.

Narcissism

Narcissists Think They Have Bigger Heads—Literally

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on June 30, 2020

Psychologists asked volunteers to take a narcissism survey and then estimate the size of their own heads.

Beauty

Tinder Typos: How Language Errors Influence Attractiveness

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on May 31, 2020

Choosing a flattering photo for your dating profile may not get you far, recent research shows, if the accompanying text is riddled with errors.

Beauty

The Sweet Smell of Success: Fighting and Body Odor Appeal

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on April 30, 2020

Can you smell a winner? Scientists have investigated the links between victory in physical combat and body odor attractiveness.

Mating

Is Tinder Really a Hook-Up App?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on December 12, 2019

Tinder, a popular mobile dating app, is often depicted in the media as the home of the Pick Up Artist. But is this true? How often do Tinder matches lead to sex?

Psychopathy

Are Psychopaths Sexy?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on October 14, 2019

Canadian psychologists test hypothesis that psychopathy has mating benefits.

Jealousy

Jealousy or Compersion?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on July 16, 2019

Do polyamorous partners feel jealousy or joy when their lover finds someone new?

Consumer Behavior

Deep Impact: Asserting Authority with a Low-Pitched Voice

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on June 5, 2019

Do men and women in positions of authority speak with a deeper and more resonant voice?

Infidelity

Justifying Infidelity

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on May 2, 2019

Most of us think cheating is wrong and wouldn't want an unfaithful partner. So how do cheaters justify their bad behavior?

Infidelity

What Makes Most Partners Remain Faithful

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on April 16, 2019

Psychologists think they know why some people cheat, but why do most remain faithful?

Beauty

What Qualities Really Attract People to Each Other?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on April 3, 2019

Psychologists investigate which physical characteristics men and women find most alluring in a theoretical partner.

Orgasm

The 5 Reasons People Fake Orgasm

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on March 27, 2019

Why do men and women exaggerate sexual enjoyment? Psychologists have revealed the top reasons.

Sex

Yuck! Disgust and Short-Term Relationships

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on February 26, 2019

New research investigates how disgust influences our desire for a casual fling.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin: More Than Just a "Love Hormone"

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on February 20, 2019

A dose of oxytocin may increase the differences between men's and women's partner preferences.

Mating

Do Women Pay a Social Penalty for Wearing Makeup?

Robert P. Burriss Ph.D. on January 23, 2019

New research suggests that female appearance-enhancement is associated with social costs as well as benefits.