Can Evolution Explain Everything? feat. Douglas Kenrick

Douglas Kenrick is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. His research interests include integrating models from evolutionary biology and cognitive science to study the effects of fundamental social motivations on basic cognitive processes.

Among Kenrick's many publications are the books "Sex, Murder and the Meaning of Life" and "Social Psychology," a textbook coauthored with Steven Neuberg and Robert Cialdini.

We’re talking about dating and mating in this episode, touching on topics like the divide between natural and social sciences, micro theories, loss aversion and the history of dating ads.

Episode Quotes

Stimulus control:

I think by understanding that we're designed in a way that doesn't match the modern world, we can basically engage in what behaviorists used to call stimulus control. If I take the stimulus away, it's a lot easier.

Achieving goals:

Of course we're not designed to be happy, right? We're designed to do things that will promote the replication of our genes. And so as soon as we reach one goal, BOOM! Our brain says, all right, what's next?

Dating apps possibly changing the way we mate:

So you're still seeing in those apps, you're still seeing the regular old stuff play out. But it might be that, yes, they're changing our adaptation level. They're changing this, our expectation of what we can get, that we start to want everything and we're unhappy with our options.

Show Links:

Guest Profile:

Faculty Profile at Arizona State University
Professional Profile at Psychology Today
Douglas Kenrick on Linkedin
Douglas Kenrick on Twitter

His work:

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