Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life

Mating

John Alcock Inspired a Generation

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

John Alcock inspired a generation of researchers interested in evolution and behavior.

John Alcock inspired a generation of researchers interested in evolution and behavior.

Relationships

Three Life Lessons from a Great Sage of Psychology

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on November 29, 2022

David Myers is perhaps the wisest living psychologist. In his new book, he shares some of his wisdom. Here are three tidbits from his extensive tasting menu.

David Myers is perhaps the wisest living psychologist. In his new book, he shares some of his wisdom. Here are three tidbits from his extensive tasting menu.

Sex

The Psychology of Hollywood's All-Time Blockbuster

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on November 15, 2022

Can the principles of evolutionary psychology help us understand why some movies are terrible, and some are wonderful? Let's consider the highest-grossing film of all time.

Can the principles of evolutionary psychology help us understand why some movies are terrible, and some are wonderful? Let's consider the highest-grossing film of all time.

Positive Psychology

Why I Gave a $50 Tip on a $20 “Rideshare”

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on November 8, 2022

There are four good reasons you should give a large tip next time you have the chance.

There are four good reasons you should give a large tip next time you have the chance.

Mindfulness

3 Tips for Relishing the Surprising Joy of Everyday Things

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on October 6, 2022

A Personal Perspective: You don't need an expensive trip to the Caribbean to find joy. There are ways to get the same thrill when walking around your neighborhood.

A Personal Perspective: You don't need an expensive trip to the Caribbean to find joy. There are ways to get the same thrill when walking around your neighborhood.

Mating

Is the World Ready for a Nonsexual Revolution?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on October 3, 2022

Breeder, incel, or ace, there’s an argument for forgetting about your mating status altogether. Here are 7 alternative ways to live a fulfilling life.

Breeder, incel, or ace, there’s an argument for forgetting about your mating status altogether. Here are 7 alternative ways to live a fulfilling life.

Resilience

Should You Seek Self-Satisfaction or Self-Transcendence?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 22, 2022

Some infer that an evolutionary perspective prescribes a life pursuing self-interest in the service of selfish genes, but that’s a misconception at multiple levels. Here's why.

Some infer that an evolutionary perspective prescribes a life pursuing self-interest in the service of selfish genes, but that’s a misconception at multiple levels. Here's why.

Career

7 Life Lessons From a "Wise Guy"

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 17, 2022

Most psychologists don't consult evangelists for life lessons, but there's a lot to learn from the fellow who was the head evangelist for the original MacIntosh computer.

Most psychologists don't consult evangelists for life lessons, but there's a lot to learn from the fellow who was the head evangelist for the original MacIntosh computer.

Career

4 (More) Tricks to Help You Change

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 11, 2022

Developing habits to make you healthy and happy in the long run requires a clever combination of personally-tailored techniques.

Developing habits to make you healthy and happy in the long run requires a clever combination of personally-tailored techniques.

Self-Help

Why Is It So Hard for Us to Change?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 8, 2022

Building and maintaining healthy habits is not a one-time fix, but a lifetime endeavor.

Building and maintaining healthy habits is not a one-time fix, but a lifetime endeavor.

Career

50 Years of Basking in Robert Cialdini’s Reflected Glory

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on June 24, 2022

A now classic paper by Robert Cialdini and his colleagues explored the topic of basking in reflected glory; which is described (and illustrated) here.

A now classic paper by Robert Cialdini and his colleagues explored the topic of basking in reflected glory; which is described (and illustrated) here.

Adolescence

7 Ways Electronic Devices Parasitize Teenagers' Brains

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on May 19, 2022

Are teenagers' brains being parasitized by electronic technology? Here I count a few of the ways, and ask: Is there anything we can do about it?

Are teenagers' brains being parasitized by electronic technology? Here I count a few of the ways, and ask: Is there anything we can do about it?

Relationships

How to Survive the Modern World With a Stone-Age Brain

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on May 18, 2022

A hunter-gatherer transported to the modern urban world would think they’d landed in paradise. Why isn't modern technology making us happy?

A hunter-gatherer transported to the modern urban world would think they’d landed in paradise. Why isn't modern technology making us happy?

Sex

Are Sex Differences in Mate Choice Really Universal?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on March 29, 2022

Classic studies found men and women differ in preference for youth, attractiveness, and finances. A recent study asks how replicable those findings are.

Classic studies found men and women differ in preference for youth, attractiveness, and finances. A recent study asks how replicable those findings are.

Aging

The Psychology of Walking

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on March 27, 2022

In 1909, a 70-year-old man walked from New York to San Francisco. His story touches on several critical aspects of modern psychology.

In 1909, a 70-year-old man walked from New York to San Francisco. His story touches on several critical aspects of modern psychology.

Relationships

Five Ways Food Can Lead to Self-Fulfillment

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on March 21, 2022

Psychologists often study the negative aspects of eating, but food is intrinsically linked to positive psychology in at least five central ways.

Psychologists often study the negative aspects of eating, but food is intrinsically linked to positive psychology in at least five central ways.

Resilience

A Glimpse into Our Common Humanity

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

What is the common thread connecting you, me, a Swedish physician, and a poor woman in Africa?

What is the common thread connecting you, me, a Swedish physician, and a poor woman in Africa?

Bias

10 Biases that Blind Us to a World Getting Better

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on December 21, 2021

Hard data show we are too pessimistic about the state of the world, and Hans Rosling suggests 10 pessimistic biases we could all do without.

Hard data show we are too pessimistic about the state of the world, and Hans Rosling suggests 10 pessimistic biases we could all do without.

Psychology

Humans as Penguins? The Psychology of Social Thermoregulation

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on November 29, 2021

Humans are commonly compared to chimpanzees, rats, and dogs, but Hans Rocha IJzerman argues we are really a lot like penguins. And he's talking psychology, not just appearance.

Humans are commonly compared to chimpanzees, rats, and dogs, but Hans Rocha IJzerman argues we are really a lot like penguins. And he's talking psychology, not just appearance.

Anger

Did Assassinating Bullies Make Humans More Domesticated?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on September 14, 2021

A prominent primatologist presents evidence that ancestral humans cooperated to assassinate bullies, which led to a process of self-domestication, and to some nastier traits.

A prominent primatologist presents evidence that ancestral humans cooperated to assassinate bullies, which led to a process of self-domestication, and to some nastier traits.