Richard Holler | Oakland University (original) (raw)
Papers by Richard Holler
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 2022
Use and design of dating apps has evolved in recent years to accommodate other interaction goals ... more Use and design of dating apps has evolved in recent years to accommodate other interaction goals beyond dating, prompting some researchers to now refer to these apps as people-nearby applications (PNAs). With this expansion of use comes increased potential for misinterpretation of users' goals for meeting face-to-face, which can pose risks to user safety particularly when disparities in sexual expectations occur. We present a survey study (n=132) with users of several PNAs and with various motivations for PNA-use to understand how interaction goals are disclosed and detected. The study finds such practices to be far from consistent, with some appearing highly susceptible to misinterpretation such as purposely delaying self-presentation of interaction goals until meeting face-to-face, and implying sexual expectations through vague references to "fun." We conclude by suggesting a modified version of the "swiping" feature in PNAs to facilitate consistent and ove...
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2018
Darwin's Roadmap to the Curriculum, 2019
The Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Seminar Series at New Paltz is accompanied by an exciting, interd... more The Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Seminar Series at New Paltz is accompanied by an exciting, interdisciplinary class (Evolutionary Studies 301 [Evolutionary Studies Seminar or Evolutionary Studies Capstone]). This class surrounds New Paltz’s award-winning EvoS Seminar Series, which includes speakers from a variety of intellectual backgrounds—all with a focus on the applications of evolutionary principles. In the delivery of the course, graduate student teaching assistants help guide undergraduate students along their intellectual journey. This chapter tells the story of EvoS at New Paltz from the perspective of these evolutionary docents. Recent graduates and teaching assistants provide a unique perspective on the program. The 2016 series is highlighted.
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Personality and Individual Differences, 2021
Abstract Previous work on individual and group differences in life history (LH) strategy posited ... more Abstract Previous work on individual and group differences in life history (LH) strategy posited a central role for intelligence. Yet, empirical results failed to support the hypothesized positive association between a slow LH strategy and intelligence. The current investigation (N = 102) represents an attempt to not only re-examine the LH/intelligence hypothesis, but also to conduct an in-depth examination on how LH strategy and intelligence are expressed in personality profiles. The California Adult Q-sort measure of slow LH strategy exhibited a significant positive correlation with performance (r = 0.32), verbal (r = 0.34), and full (r = 0.38) IQ test scores. Additional findings suggest that a slow LH strategy and intelligence both include personality characteristics reflecting ambition and, possibly, social perceptiveness. Alternatively, intelligence is more closely aligned with a personality profile including intellectual ability, independence, and creativity while LH strategy was uniquely associated with interpersonal warmth, conformity, and reticence.
Human Ethology Bulletin, 2017
The Neanderthals' extinction has been, according to modern biological anthropologists, greatly ex... more The Neanderthals' extinction has been, according to modern biological anthropologists, greatly exaggerated. Research from multiple sources has consistently provided strong evidence of hybridization between ancestral Neanderthals and Ancestrally Modern Humans (AMHs). Personal genome technology, such as that used by the personal-genomic company, 23andMe, provides individuals with information regarding their particular genetic overlap with Neanderthal DNA. Given the fact that most personality traits show some heritable component, this research sought to examine if one's degree of Neanderthal genetic overlap (or Neanderthal Quotient; NQ) is significantly related to a variety of personality traits-traits that, based on anthropological research-may have characterized our ancient Neanderthal cousins. Using an online survey administered to more than 200 adults from around the world who had had their personal genomes mapped, we found that NQ was positively related to such variables as social fear, anxiety, and promiscuity, while being negatively related to scores on a performance-based measure of imaginativeness. Most of these relationships remained significant in regression models that added age and gender into the equations, suggesting that these findings are likely relatively reliable. Findings suggest that high levels of NQ tend to correspond to social fear, autistic tendencies, and depressive tendencies-a constellation of results that is consistent with the conception of Neanderthals as being ill-suited for large-scale social living.
Current Psychology, 2019
In our species, social connections with a broad array of individuals are foundational to success.... more In our species, social connections with a broad array of individuals are foundational to success. On the flip side, we have evolved so as to not be exploited by others. This dynamic is the focus of the studies described here. Study 1 examined the psychology of social estrangements. The main prediction was that the number of estrangements one has would be predictive of various adverse psychological outcomes. Using a sample of 315 young adults, we found evidence for this prediction: A high number of estrangements corresponded to high scores on depressive tendencies and anxious attachment as well as low scores on social support. In Study 2, using a between-participants methodology, we manipulated transgression intensity, target of the transgression, and whether an apology was included. 288 young adults participated. Each participant was presented with a set of stimuli representing one level of each of the three independent variables and then provided ratings for several dependent variables, such as how angry and betrayed he or she would feel in the situation. Transgression intensity and target of the transgression had consistent significant effects on the dependent variables in the predicted directions. Presence of an apology generally had little effect. In both Studies 1 and 2, high scores on the Dark Triad predicted the outcomes as well: In Study 1, a high number of estrangements corresponded to high scores on the Dark Triad. In Study 2, high scores on the Dark Triad corresponded to strong negative responses to social transgressions. Implications for the evolutionary psychology of interpersonal relationships are discussed.
Darwin's Roadmap to the Curriculum, 2019
This book integrates the vast literature in the interdisciplinary field of Evolutionary Studies (... more This book integrates the vast literature in the interdisciplinary field of Evolutionary Studies (EvoS), providing clear examples of how evolutionary concepts relate to all facets of life. It provides chapters dedicated to the processes associated with an EvoS education, including examples of how an interdisciplinary approach to evolutionary theory has been implemented successfully at various colleges and universities and in degree programs. Chapters outline a variety of applications to an evolution education, including improved sustainable development, medical practices, and creative and critical thinking skills. Finally, this book explores controversies surrounding evolution education and provides a roadmap to help shape a positive future for this approach to asking and answering questions. Although Darwin’s theories have famously changed the foundational ideas related to the origins of life, shaping entire disciplines in the biological sciences, across the globe today people are f...
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 2022
Use and design of dating apps has evolved in recent years to accommodate other interaction goals ... more Use and design of dating apps has evolved in recent years to accommodate other interaction goals beyond dating, prompting some researchers to now refer to these apps as people-nearby applications (PNAs). With this expansion of use comes increased potential for misinterpretation of users' goals for meeting face-to-face, which can pose risks to user safety particularly when disparities in sexual expectations occur. We present a survey study (n=132) with users of several PNAs and with various motivations for PNA-use to understand how interaction goals are disclosed and detected. The study finds such practices to be far from consistent, with some appearing highly susceptible to misinterpretation such as purposely delaying self-presentation of interaction goals until meeting face-to-face, and implying sexual expectations through vague references to "fun." We conclude by suggesting a modified version of the "swiping" feature in PNAs to facilitate consistent and ove...
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2018
Darwin's Roadmap to the Curriculum, 2019
The Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Seminar Series at New Paltz is accompanied by an exciting, interd... more The Evolutionary Studies (EvoS) Seminar Series at New Paltz is accompanied by an exciting, interdisciplinary class (Evolutionary Studies 301 [Evolutionary Studies Seminar or Evolutionary Studies Capstone]). This class surrounds New Paltz’s award-winning EvoS Seminar Series, which includes speakers from a variety of intellectual backgrounds—all with a focus on the applications of evolutionary principles. In the delivery of the course, graduate student teaching assistants help guide undergraduate students along their intellectual journey. This chapter tells the story of EvoS at New Paltz from the perspective of these evolutionary docents. Recent graduates and teaching assistants provide a unique perspective on the program. The 2016 series is highlighted.
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021
Personality and Individual Differences, 2021
Abstract Previous work on individual and group differences in life history (LH) strategy posited ... more Abstract Previous work on individual and group differences in life history (LH) strategy posited a central role for intelligence. Yet, empirical results failed to support the hypothesized positive association between a slow LH strategy and intelligence. The current investigation (N = 102) represents an attempt to not only re-examine the LH/intelligence hypothesis, but also to conduct an in-depth examination on how LH strategy and intelligence are expressed in personality profiles. The California Adult Q-sort measure of slow LH strategy exhibited a significant positive correlation with performance (r = 0.32), verbal (r = 0.34), and full (r = 0.38) IQ test scores. Additional findings suggest that a slow LH strategy and intelligence both include personality characteristics reflecting ambition and, possibly, social perceptiveness. Alternatively, intelligence is more closely aligned with a personality profile including intellectual ability, independence, and creativity while LH strategy was uniquely associated with interpersonal warmth, conformity, and reticence.
Human Ethology Bulletin, 2017
The Neanderthals' extinction has been, according to modern biological anthropologists, greatly ex... more The Neanderthals' extinction has been, according to modern biological anthropologists, greatly exaggerated. Research from multiple sources has consistently provided strong evidence of hybridization between ancestral Neanderthals and Ancestrally Modern Humans (AMHs). Personal genome technology, such as that used by the personal-genomic company, 23andMe, provides individuals with information regarding their particular genetic overlap with Neanderthal DNA. Given the fact that most personality traits show some heritable component, this research sought to examine if one's degree of Neanderthal genetic overlap (or Neanderthal Quotient; NQ) is significantly related to a variety of personality traits-traits that, based on anthropological research-may have characterized our ancient Neanderthal cousins. Using an online survey administered to more than 200 adults from around the world who had had their personal genomes mapped, we found that NQ was positively related to such variables as social fear, anxiety, and promiscuity, while being negatively related to scores on a performance-based measure of imaginativeness. Most of these relationships remained significant in regression models that added age and gender into the equations, suggesting that these findings are likely relatively reliable. Findings suggest that high levels of NQ tend to correspond to social fear, autistic tendencies, and depressive tendencies-a constellation of results that is consistent with the conception of Neanderthals as being ill-suited for large-scale social living.
Current Psychology, 2019
In our species, social connections with a broad array of individuals are foundational to success.... more In our species, social connections with a broad array of individuals are foundational to success. On the flip side, we have evolved so as to not be exploited by others. This dynamic is the focus of the studies described here. Study 1 examined the psychology of social estrangements. The main prediction was that the number of estrangements one has would be predictive of various adverse psychological outcomes. Using a sample of 315 young adults, we found evidence for this prediction: A high number of estrangements corresponded to high scores on depressive tendencies and anxious attachment as well as low scores on social support. In Study 2, using a between-participants methodology, we manipulated transgression intensity, target of the transgression, and whether an apology was included. 288 young adults participated. Each participant was presented with a set of stimuli representing one level of each of the three independent variables and then provided ratings for several dependent variables, such as how angry and betrayed he or she would feel in the situation. Transgression intensity and target of the transgression had consistent significant effects on the dependent variables in the predicted directions. Presence of an apology generally had little effect. In both Studies 1 and 2, high scores on the Dark Triad predicted the outcomes as well: In Study 1, a high number of estrangements corresponded to high scores on the Dark Triad. In Study 2, high scores on the Dark Triad corresponded to strong negative responses to social transgressions. Implications for the evolutionary psychology of interpersonal relationships are discussed.
Darwin's Roadmap to the Curriculum, 2019
This book integrates the vast literature in the interdisciplinary field of Evolutionary Studies (... more This book integrates the vast literature in the interdisciplinary field of Evolutionary Studies (EvoS), providing clear examples of how evolutionary concepts relate to all facets of life. It provides chapters dedicated to the processes associated with an EvoS education, including examples of how an interdisciplinary approach to evolutionary theory has been implemented successfully at various colleges and universities and in degree programs. Chapters outline a variety of applications to an evolution education, including improved sustainable development, medical practices, and creative and critical thinking skills. Finally, this book explores controversies surrounding evolution education and provides a roadmap to help shape a positive future for this approach to asking and answering questions. Although Darwin’s theories have famously changed the foundational ideas related to the origins of life, shaping entire disciplines in the biological sciences, across the globe today people are f...
Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2021