Jessica Ayers, assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Science, published her paper, “How Genetic-Conflict Theory Can Inform Studies of Human Nature,” in the Perspectives on Psychological Science journal.
Ayers’ interdisciplinary research draws on the genetic conflict theory in evolutionary biology. She unifies disparate psychological research on human growth, development and behavior using the genetic conflict theory. The result is a single framework for psychological investigations into social relationships.
Her work may open avenues for future research on genetic conflict in humans and the importance of considering cultural, ecological and other developmental factors when researching genetic influences on human behavior.