#825 - Macken Murphy - The New Science Of Why Men & Women Cheat

At a Glance

• Cycle shift effect sizes comparison - “We’d have more success testing a weekend weekday shift hypothesis because so much more cheating happens on the weekend versus the weekday.” This comparison sheds light on the differences in infidelity based on the day of the week.

• Importance of physical attractiveness in relationships - “People understate how important physical attractiveness is. The black pill was right all along. You just need to smell nice.” This highlights the significance of physical traits in romantic evaluations.

• Top motivation for infidelity - “The top motivation for men and women was relationship dissatisfaction in their stated motivations.” Understanding the primary reasons behind infidelity provides insight into relationship dynamics.

What to Do

• “Relationship dissatisfaction is a common motivation for infidelity.” - Understanding and addressing relationship issues can help prevent infidelity and improve the quality of the relationship.

• “Pay attention to signs of extra pair interest and flirtation.” - Being aware of behaviors that indicate potential infidelity can help address issues early on and prevent cheating.

• “Consider past behavior, such as cheating in previous relationships, as a predictor of future infidelity.” - Recognizing patterns of behavior can help individuals make informed decisions about their relationships and potential partners.

• “Narcissism and promiscuity can be red flags for potential infidelity.” - Being cautious of partners who exhibit narcissistic traits or have a history of promiscuity can help individuals protect themselves from infidelity.

What to Get

• Paul Eastwick’s studies - To understand how people’s stated preferences in a partner compare to their actual preferences in practice.

• Steve Gangestad and Randy Thornell’s hypothesis - To explore the idea that women engage in infidelity to pair good genes with good parenting.

• Evolutionary Psychology Research - To gain insights into the evolutionary drivers of human behavior, including infidelity.

Summary

In this podcast episode, the host welcomes guest Macken Murphy, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Melbourne, writer, and podcaster. The discussion revolves around the topic of infidelity and the reasons why people cheat in relationships. Macken’s new study sheds light on the evolutionary drivers behind men’s and women’s infidelity, exploring concepts such as dual mating and mate switching hypotheses. The episode delves into the top three reasons why both men and women cheat, the heritability of cheating behavior, and whether there is such a thing as one-time cheating.

The conversation also features sponsorships from companies like 8Sleep, Manscaped, and Shopify, highlighting products related to sleep quality, grooming, and e-commerce. The episode touches on the importance of physical attractiveness in relationships and how stated preferences for traits like loyalty may differ from revealed preferences, such as being good in bed. The discussion also delves into the qualitative aspects of infidelity, with men and women citing relationship dissatisfaction as a top motivation for engaging in affairs.

Overall, the episode provides insights into the complex nature of infidelity, exploring the role of evolutionary psychology in understanding cheating behavior. The conversation is engaging and informative, offering a mix of scientific research, personal anecdotes, and sponsor promotions. Listeners are encouraged to explore Macken’s work further, including his podcast “Species” and course on human evolution. The episode concludes with a lighthearted exchange between the host and guest, showcasing their rapport and enthusiasm for the topic at hand.