Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life

Friends

Making friends is not natural

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

Because modern humans often move homes or change jobs, they need some social skills our ancestors did not. Making new friends can be broken down into 3 separate problems.

Because modern humans often move homes or change jobs, they need some social skills our ancestors did not. Making new friends can be broken down into 3 separate problems.

Leadership

Is Being Female an Electoral Strength or Weakness for Kamala Harris?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on October 10, 2024

Experts and members of the public continue to worry that being a woman is a handicap to being elected to high office. The data tell a different story.

Experts and members of the public continue to worry that being a woman is a handicap to being elected to high office. The data tell a different story.

Evolutionary Psychology

Who's a Better Role Model: Genghis Khan or Mr. Rogers?

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on November 4, 2023

Do selfish genes mean that humans are designed to be selfish?

Do selfish genes mean that humans are designed to be selfish?

Evolutionary Psychology

3 Reasons to Go on a Good News Diet

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

The news is full of hard-to-resist stories about threats and abominations, but there are three good reasons we should all actively change our news diet.

The news is full of hard-to-resist stories about threats and abominations, but there are three good reasons we should all actively change our news diet.

Cognition

Steven Pinker Thinks Rationality Is Unnatural, But...

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on June 25, 2023

Does rational thinking, like language, come naturally to humans? Will we solve the many problems wrought by modern irrational thinking, as we've solved so many past problems?

Does rational thinking, like language, come naturally to humans? Will we solve the many problems wrought by modern irrational thinking, as we've solved so many past problems?

Stress

Taking the Stress out of Travel: Micro-Triumphs en España

Douglas T. Kenrick Ph.D. on May 27, 2023

Personal Perspective: Here are three suggestions to make foreign travel more delightful and less stressful.

Personal Perspective: Here are three suggestions to make foreign travel more delightful and less stressful.

Animal Behavior

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.

Psychology

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.

Psychology

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.

Altruism

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.

Genetics

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.

Psychology

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-Harm

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.

Psychology

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?

Psychology

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.