|
|
|
Associate Professor of Psychology Singapore
Mangement University Psychology Today blog |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My overall research
objective is to uncover the intricate processes that underlie human
psychological mechanisms. In carrying out this objective, I utilize an
interdisciplinary approach. This involves drawing from both social
psychological theory, with its emphasis on individual differences and
interactions, and evolutionary theory, with its focus on adaptive functioning
and link to findings in areas including ethology, anthropology, and biology.
In addition, microeconomics, with its emphasis on the marginal cost/benefit
analyses in which individual agents engage, is especially useful when viewing
competitive social processes and adaptive tradeoffs. In examining human
social behavior, I favor not only the use of effective experimental methods
that social psychologists have devised, but also the incorporation of
analytical tools from other disciplines. For instance, using methods from
microeconomics, my colleagues and I were able to address a paradox in the
mate choice literature: although social and evolutionary psychologists have
pointed out why physical attractiveness should be important to men and status
should be important to women, these characteristics never show up at the top
of the lists when people have considered their ideal mates. By applying a
budget allocation process and a mate screening paradigm, we were able to
effectively distinguish between characteristics in a potential mate that are
“necessities” and those that are “luxuries.” Our
studies revealed that when considering long-term mates, men tend to
prioritize finding a sufficient level of physical attractiveness, and women
tend to prioritize obtaining sufficient social status. In other words, when
looking for mates, most people ideally would like to have well-rounded mates
who are attractive, intelligent, creative, financially well-off, etc.
However, when choices are highly constrained, men tend to treat physical
attractiveness as a necessity whereas women treat attractiveness as a luxury,
and social status as a necessity (Li, Bailey, Kenrick, & Linsenmeier,
2002; Li & Kenrick, 2006). Budget allocation materials can be accessed in
the above link. I have also
published in the areas of dynamical systems – its integration with
evolutionary psychology (e.g., Kenrick, Li, & Butner), hormones and
mating strategy (Durante & Li, 2009), and the adaptive functions of humor
(Li et al., in press). The hectic modern world is different in many ways from
the small, close-knit villages that humans and their brains evolved in. In
this regard, I am interested in examining how modern cultural inputs interact
with otherwise adaptive mechanisms to affect mental health. Much of my research
looks at mating. Considerations of mating are central to reproduction, and
thus, evolutionarily important. As such, mating permeates the affect,
cognitions, and behaviors of people in all cultures. So, it is a great area
to analyze (plus it is never dull). Nevertheless, an important aspect of my
research is that the tools that are developed in my lab can be applied
rewardingly to investigate other domains of social and business life. If you
work in mating or in any other area, chances are that these methods can be
used in your lab. Similarly, your methods may be applicable in mine. I
welcome new collaborators to contact me. |
|
|
|
|
