Exploring family relationships and human sexuality

Evolutionary psychologists Jessica Hehman and Catherine Salmon frequently collaborate on research projects and recently published a two-part series in Evolutionary Psychological Science on casual sex behavior and the effects of father absence.

“We found that father absence increases casual sexual behavior in males as well as females, which wasn’t really surprising,” says Salmon. What was interesting, says Hehman, were the opposite effects that emerged depending on the developmental timeframe in which the father departed. “Females indulged in more casual sex if their father left when they were between 11 and 16 years of age, whereas males engaged in more casual sex if they lost their father between 7 and 11 years of age.”

Redlands’ open and collegial environment makes research such as this possible, the professors note. “I appreciate the academic freedom I’m afforded—I can do the research I want—I’m not locked into one subject area,” says Salmon. Hehman concurs. “I enjoy research as well as teaching and I didn’t want to have to choose one or the other. Here I can have a nice blend of the two—it’s a win-win.”

Salmon and Hehman also appreciate the opportunity to interact more closely with students. “Redlands’ smaller size lends itself to more discussion and hands-on research in the classroom,” says Salmon. “Students have the chance to learn how research works and which questions to ask. It teaches them to be more critical consumers of information. Helping students become better problem solvers and more effective communicators is very gratifying,” she concludes. “Whatever path they follow, these skills will be useful.”