Do the Dark Triad and Self-Perceived Mate Value Predict Intention to Mate Poach?

Although much research has been conducted on the psychology of mate poaching, little research has been conducted on the factors that predict intention to mate poach, particularly from the perspective of the poacher. Although some research has paid attention to the role of the dark triad in mate poaching, no research, to our knowledge, has explored the relationship between self-perceived mate value and intention to mate poach. We explored the role of the dark triad (Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy), self-perceived mate value, and sex on one’s intention to mate poach, in 82 participants from Coventry University. We find that psychopathy was the only trait to significantly predict intention to mate poach, suggesting those who scored higher on psychopathy were more likely to mate poach. Furthermore, we find that self-perceived mate value significantly predicted intention to mate poach, suggesting those who perceive themselves as having a high mate value are likely to engage in mate poaching, which is a novel finding

The Influence of Aggressiveness on Rape-Myth Acceptance among University Students

The detrimental effects of rape are well established. In order to support victims of rape in reporting sexual assault, the factors which predict rape myths need to be investigated. Aggression has been linked to sexual violence, but little is known about the role of aggressive behaviour in rape-myth acceptance. The present study aimed to investigate whether rape myths could be predicted by verbal aggression, physical aggression, hostility, anger or sex in a sample of 121 participants. A regression analysis found that an individual’s sex and self-reported physical aggression significantly predicted rape-myth acceptance

Mean girls: Provocative clothing leads to intra-sexual competition between females

This study aimed to investigate indirect aggression between females from an evolutionary perspective, considering indirect aggression as a mechanism of intra-sexual competition. Previous research suggests that females who are dressed provocatively, or appear ‘sexually available’, are more likely to be victims of indirect aggression from other females. Investigating this notion via an empirical measure and a word-selection task, this study involved a female confederate posing as a participant, who was dressed provocatively in one condition and conservatively in the other. Sixty-five females completed an intra-sexual competition scale and a word selection task in which they were able to select complimentary or derogatory phrases to describe the confederate. Making derogative comments is a common form of indirect aggression; therefore, those who selected derogatory phrases could be considered to be exhibiting indirect aggression. Consistent with our hypotheses, participants in the provocative condition obtained significantly higher intra-sexual competition scores and selected more derogatory words than those in the conservative condition, indicating that females dressed provocatively are indirectly aggressed against to a greater extent than those that are not. This paper adds further support to the notion that indirect aggression is used by females as a method of intra-sexual competition, particularly towards provocatively dressed females

Altruism advertises cooperativeness

Altruism is defined as a behaviour that is beneficial to a receiver, but costly to the altruist (Trivers, 1971). Altruism is a phenomenon which causes evolutionary theorists trouble when tying it into the overall play of evolution. Why be altruistic to someone you do not know

Sexual selection and the evolution of altruism: males are more altruistic and cooperative towards attractive females

Explaining altruism through an evolutionary lens has been a challenge for evolutionary theorists. Where altruism towards kin is well understood through kin selection, altruism towards non-kin is an evolutionary puzzle. Contemporary research has found that, through a game-theoretic framework, sexual selection could be an explanation for the evolution of altruism. Research suggests that males are more altruistic towards females they are interested in engaging with, sexually or romantically when distributing stakes in economic games. This study, adopting a between-groups design, tested the sexual selection explanation for altruism by asking participants to self-report altruistic and cooperative intention when reading moral scenarios accompanied by attractive or unattractive images. We find that participants, particularly males, report being more altruistic and cooperative when viewing an attractive image of a female. This study replicates the sexual selection hypothesis in explaining altruism through an alternative experimental framework to game theory

Mate value discrepancy and attachment anxiety predict the perpetration of digital dating abuse

Research suggests that individual differences in attachment style predict the perpetration of digital dating abuse. In addition to attachment style, no research, to our knowledge, has explored the role of mate value in the perpetration of digital dating abuse. In this paper, we argue that digital dating abuse is a contemporary cost-inflicting mate retention behaviour, where larger mate value discrepancies between partners are associated with higher levels of digital dating abuse (n = 167). As expected, high mate value discrepancy and attachment anxiety were associated with high levels of digital dating abuse. We provide novel support for the relationship between mate value discrepancy and digital dating abuse. Our findings provide support for additional, unexplored factors which lead to the perpetration of digital dating abus

Gender differences in weight loss; evidence from a NHS weight management service

Highlights • Provides evidence that men lose more weight than women when enrolled on a weight loss intervention. • Men lose more weight than women from their initial assessment up to 12-months. • Men maintain their weight and continue to lose more weight postintervention compared to women

Are Everyday Heroic or Altruistic Acts More Desirable in Human Mate Choice?

Previous research has shown that heroic acts are valued traits in human mate choice, due to their desirability particularly for long term partners. There is however inconsistency as to whether heroism is a more valued trait than more general forms of altruism, or if both signal the same underlying desired trait in partners. To assess this, the current study looked to directly compare the desirability of heroic and altruistic acts when both are options that individuals may choose. Here, both male and female participants were provided with descriptions of hypothetical individuals who chose to behave either heroically or altruistically in the same everyday scenario, and asked to rate their desirability for both short and long term relationships. It was found that although both heroic and altruistic individuals were considered more desirable for long term than short term relationships, there were no differences in the ratings of heroic and altruistic acts nor were there any sex differences. Accordingly it is concluded that heroism is not a distinct trait in mate choice than altruism when potential confounding factors are controlled for, and both signal the actor’s underlying prosocial personality characteristic that is valued in long term relationship for both men and women

Understanding digital dating abuse from an evolutionary perspective: Further evidence for the role of mate value discrepancy

Decades of research have been dedicated to understanding intimate partner violence. A recent form of intimate partner violence is digital dating abuse, which involves electronic intrusion in romantic relationships. Previous research has focused on the effects of digital dating abuse on victims, yet little research has focused on the factors which drive the perpetration of digital dating abuse, especially from an evolutionary perspective. Recent research has focused on whether mating-relevant factors such as mate value discrepancy predict the perpetration of digital dating abuse, suggesting digital dating abuse could be a mate retention tactic. Here, we replicated and extended that finding in two independent samples (study 1, n = 177; Study 2, n = 134) by showing large mate value discrepancies positively predict digital dating abuse, therefore suggesting that digital dating abuse could be a contemporary cost-inflicting mate retention strategy. We also explored whether intrasexual competition, self-esteem, and experience of previous infidelity predicted the perpetration of digital dating abuse, finding no significant relationships. These findings from two studies, replicate, extend, and provide further support that digital dating abuse is a mate retention tactic. This research advances our understanding of digital dating abuse from an evolutionary psychological perspective.Accepted versio

The role of altruism versus self-interest in Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the UK

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence. The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2022.10.006Objectives The aim of the current study was to explore self-interest, kin-altruism and non-kin altruism reasons that influence people to vaccinate against Covid-19. Study design Cross-sectional, employing a fully repeated measures design. Methods Participants (N= 178) answered questions on perceived threat and likelihood of infection, vaccination status and opinion on mandatory vaccination. Participants also rated a set of statements that asked how likely these would influence them and others to vaccinate against Covid-19. Statements reflected either self-interest, kin altruism or non-kin altruism. Results Just over half of the sample (50.8%) reported likelihood of infection as somewhat or extremely likely and almost three quarters (74.2%) reported that Covid-19 posed a minor or moderate threat to their physical health. Almost three quarters (74.3%) of the sample were vaccinated with just over half (56.2%) in favour of mandatory vaccination. A 2 (self/other) x 3 (self-interest/kin altruism/non-kin altruism) fully repeated measures ANOVA showed that kin-altruistic reasons were rated most highly, regardless of whether this was regarding oneself or others. Participants rated others as having greater self-interest reasons for vaccination compared to oneself, whereas non-kin altruism reasons for vaccination were rated higher for oneself, compared to others. Conclusion Highlighting the benefits of vaccination for close relatives and vulnerable others in the population would be a useful strategy for government to employ when urging the public to vaccinate against Covid-19.Published versio