Science of Attraction, Compatibility & Romance | Dr. Paul Eastwick
Dr. Paul Eastwick, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a leading expert on the modern science of mate selection in humans. We discuss what people actually look for in a partner, including surprising findings about age preferences, finances, and physical attractiveness. We also discuss why dating apps often lead people to select for traits that don't support lasting partnerships. We discuss how initial attractions form and evolve and which factors best predict romantic relationship stability and satisfaction. We also explain activities that can expand your dating pool, as well as practical tools for building and sustaining healthy romantic relationships. This episode is for anyone currently in or wanting to be in a relationship.
Articles
- No gender differences in attraction to young partners: A study of 4500 blind dates (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America)
- Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science (Psychological Science in the Public Interest)
- Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner? (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology)
- The predictive validity of ideal partner preferences: a review and meta-analysis (Psychological Bulletin)
- How Do People Feel About Mates? (Annual Review of Psychology)
- The support-deficit perspective is now the parsimonious explanation for gender differences in human mating (Behavioral and Brain Sciences)
- Pair-Bonded Relationships and Romantic Alternatives: Toward an Integration of Evolutionary and Relationship Science Perspectives (Advances in Experimental Social Psychology)
- Mate evaluation theory (Psychological Review)
Books
- Bonded by Evolution: The New Science of Love and Connection
- Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
Other Resources
Huberman Lab Episodes Mentioned
- Contracts of Love & Money That Make or Break Relationships | James Sexton
- Esther Perel: How to Find, Build & Maintain Healthy Romantic Relationships
People Mentioned
- John Hughes: filmmaker
- Miriam Brinberg: professor of communication, The Ohio State University
- Esther Perel: psychotherapist
- John Cusack: actor
About this Guest
Dr. Paul Eastwick
Paul Eastwick, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and a leading expert on the modern science of mate selection in humans.
This transcript is currently under human review and may contain errors. The fully reviewed version will be posted as soon as it is available.
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