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Articles on Evolutionary psychology

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How much of a culture could be due to things like the grain it traditionally grew? Visoot Uthairam/Moment via Getty Images

Nearly 20% of the cultural differences between societies boil down to ecological factors – new research

A number of theories try to explain how cultural differences come to be. A new study quantifies how such factors as resource abundance, population density and infectious disease risk can contribute.
Older monkeys still hang out, just with a smaller circle of intimates. Lauren Brent

Macaque monkeys shrink their social networks as they age – new research suggests evolutionary roots of a pattern seen in elderly people, too

Many older people tend to trim their social circles and focus their social efforts on family and close friends. New research on our close primate relatives may help explain why.
In what’s called ‘benign masochism,’ some people find the feeling of disgust pleasurable. Ocskaymark/iStock via Getty Images.

Why are so many people delighted by disgusting things?

Going out of your way to get grossed out might seem like a contradiction of human nature. But it serves a strong evolutionary purpose.
Laws from different places and eras largely reflect a universal human sense of justice. simpson33/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Intuitions about justice are a consistent part of human nature across cultures and millennia

What people consider to be fair and just today are in line with the laws of ancient Mesopotamia and the Tang Dynasty in China – suggesting that these intuitions are part of human nature.
There’s an interesting evolutionary benefit for some women if the consequences of casual sex are high. Albin Lohr-Jones/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

What really drives anti-abortion beliefs? Research suggests it’s a matter of sexual strategies

Some reasons people oppose abortion seem to be at odds with other positions they hold. Evolutionary social science points to a surprising motivation for anti-abortion attitudes.
Evolutionary psychology may explain why magical thinking is so central to love. Viva Luna Studios via Unsplash

Why does love feel magical? It’s an evolutionary advantage

It’s not logical to believe your relationship is “meant to be.” But believing in destined love may have evolved as a way to keep couples together long enough to reproduce and raise children.
Heroic actions are often intuitive – even impulsive – rather than a product of thoughtful deliberation. MHU/Getty Images

What makes people willing to risk their lives to save others?

Study after study has shown that men tend to be more willing to put themselves in harm’s way to help others. Why some men rise to the occasion – and others don’t – has been a bit trickier to pin down.
What is toxic masculinity? It generally means men behaving badly. Matheus Ferrero/Unsplash

Stop scolding men for being ‘toxic’

Many hate the fight against toxic masculinity because they don’t want to let go of male identity altogether. They don’t have to. They just have to let go of the bad parts.

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