Love Factually Deep Dive: Evolutionary Mythbusting
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Jan 19, 2026 
Join psychologist Paul Eastwick, author of "Bonded by Evolution," as he challenges popular beliefs in evolutionary psychology related to romantic relationships. He discusses how men and women share similar desires in partners, revealing that gender differences in sexual drive are often overstated. Paul also critiques outdated mate value hierarchies, emphasizing the importance of compatibility over societal standards of desirability. Plus, he warns against the toxic narratives emerging from online communities that distort scientific findings on attraction.
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Teenage Spark From A Time Magazine Cover
- Paul Eastwick recalled reading a Time cover story at 15 claiming infidelity "may be in our genes," which shaped his early interest.
- The article felt grim and sparked his lifelong scientific curiosity about mating and evolution.
Stated vs Revealed Preferences
- Stated preferences (what people say they want) often diverge from revealed preferences (who they actually choose).
- Paul Eastwick's speed-dating data show men and women similarly prefer ambition when choosing partners, despite saying otherwise.
People Misjudge Their Own Preferences
- Men and women misestimate how much they care about certain traits in opposite directions.
- For ambition, women overestimate and men underestimate; for attractiveness both underestimate, women more so.
