PSYC 193 Topics in Psychology: Evolutionary Psychology of Love & Attraction
Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:00-9:20 PM Solis 107
Instructor: Kevin Dooley, Ph.D.
Office Hours: Tuesdays 5:00-6:45 PM McGill 2109
Email: kdooley@ucsd.edu
TA: Catherine Hicks: Thursdays 2- 3:45 PM Mandler Hall 3501 cmhicks@ucsd.edu
Website: http://dooleykevin.com/psyc193.html
Overview
This course will explore evolutionary mechanisms, particularly sexual selection, and the way they
have shaped human traits, behavior, and culture. Current research on mate selection & attraction
will be discussed, and these theories will be applied to understanding the origins & development
of human intelligence, language, morality, consumer behavior, and the arts.
Required Reading
-Why We Love by Helen Fisher
-The Mating Mind by Geoffrey Miller
-online readings (see website)
Schedule (subject to change)
to be read by the following class
1/8
Introduction
Readings 1, 2, 3
1/10
Evolutionary background
Why We Love ch. 1-3
1/15
Love: what & why
Why We Love ch. 4-6
1/17
Love: how
Why We Love ch. 7-8
1/22
Monogamy, infidelity, jealousy
Readings 4, 5, 6
1/24
Test 1 (all lectures & readings above) Mating Mind: ch. 1-3
1/29
Sexual selection theories
Mating Mind: ch. 4-5
1/31
Sexual selection mechanisms
Mating Mind: ch. 6-7
2/5
Arts/culture/consumption
Mating Mind: ch. 8-9
2/7
Attraction: displays & strategies
Mating Mind: ch. 10-11
2/12
Attraction: senses & signals
Reading 7, 8
2/14
sexual selection video
Reading 9, 10
2/19
Test 2 (everything since Test 1)
Readings 11, 12
2/21
Sex differences: preferences
Readings 13, 14
2/26
Sex differences: parts & mechanics
Readings 15, 16
2/28
Attraction video
Readings 17, 18
3/5
Family & friends
Readings 19, 20
3/7
Orientation, neoteny
Readings 21, 22
3/12
Future directions
Readings 23, 24
3/14
Cultural differences
Papers due today! 3/14
3/20
Final (everything since Test 2): Wednesday 3/20, 7-10 PM
Grading
2 Tests (multiple choice and short answers)- 25 points each
1 Paper (see website for details)- 20 points, hard copy due in class last day of lecture (3/14)
1 Final (multiple choice and short answers)- 30 points
100 Points Total (90-100= A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, ≤59=F; straight letter grades: no +/-)
Optional Extra Credit project- up to 10 extra points, hard copy of paper due on day of final
Up to 3 points extra credit for participation in Sona: http://ucsd.sona-systems.com
Occasional opportunities for extra credit in class- more reasons to keep up with reading!