University College Cork

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4. Robert King

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Biography

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Research Interests

My research focuses on using a biological framework to investigate human behavior. Examples research interests  include: Examining the UK riots, spree killing, and bare knuckle fighting traditions using behavioral ecology/life history theory, investigating fertility-related aspects of human female sexual response, and investigating aspects of human dating preferences from a biological standpoint. I I have integrated anthropological/ archaeological research into my profile with publications on what ice age art and myths can inform us about sexual behavior.

Research Grants

	Project	Funding Body	Start Date	End Date	Award
	Healthcare-Releated Avoidance and Comunication Apprehension in Transgender and Gender-Noncomformative Populations.	Irish Research Council	01-SEP-19	31-DEC-23	€105,333.00
	‘Naturally Selective’: Practical application of science of female orgasm to help couples suffering infertility?	Enterprise Irl	02-NOV-22	01-NOV-23	€6,372.00
		HEACOVID19	01-SEP-21	31-DEC-23	€6,167.00
	Understanding Fertility	UL Foundation Research Seed Fund	01-SEP-16	01-SEP-16	€2,000.00
	Gambling and Problem Behaviours	Other: Not Listed	01-SEP-11	01-SEP-13	€2,000,000.00
	Understanding Fertility	UCC Strategic Research Fund	01-SEP-18	31-DEC-22	€8,289.15
	Learning Teaching & Assessement Funding	UCC Strategic Research Fund	01-SEP-21	01-SEP-22	€1,635.00

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Publications

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Books

	Year	Publication
	(2024)	Naturally Selective: Evolution, Orgasm, and Female Choice. King, Robert (2024) Naturally Selective: Evolution, Orgasm, and Female Choice. United States: Taylor and Francis.   [DOI] [Details]

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Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2023)	'Female Orgasm' Robert King (2023) 'Female Orgasm' In: Gavin Vance, Todd Shackleford (eds). The Springer Nature Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. Switzerland: Springer.   [DOI] [Details]
	(2021)	'Determinism' Appleby, M and King, R (2021) 'Determinism' In: Todd Shackleford (eds). Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]
	(2020)	'Qualitative versus Quantitative in Evolutionary Science' Dempsey, M, & King, R (2020) 'Qualitative versus Quantitative in Evolutionary Science' In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V (eds). Enclyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Swizerland: Springer. [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'Daniel Dennett: His work in evolution' King, R. J. (2019) 'Daniel Dennett: His work in evolution' In: Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]
	(2019)	'Age of Parent' Dempsey, M & King, R (2019) 'Age of Parent' In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V (eds). Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer. [DOI] [Details]
	(2018)	'Psychopathy' Felisberti, F. and King, R. J (2018) 'Psychopathy' In: Agustin Ibáñez, Adolfo Garcia and Lucas Sedeño (eds). Neuroscience and Social Science: The Missing Link. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]
	(2018)	'Paredolia and Autism' King, R. J. (2018) 'Paredolia and Autism' In: Encylcopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]
	(2017)	'Sexual Signalling: A review of major works of Steve Gangestad' King, R. J (2017) 'Sexual Signalling: A review of major works of Steve Gangestad' In: Encyclopaedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]
	(2017)	'Socio-sexuality: A review of major works of Randy Thornhill' King, R. J. (2017) 'Socio-sexuality: A review of major works of Randy Thornhill' In: Encyclopaedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]
	(2017)	'Interview with Daniel Dennett' Kuhle, B., King, R. J. (2017) 'Interview with Daniel Dennett' In: On the Origin of the Evolution Revolution: Conversations with the Pioneers of Evolutionary Biology, Anthropology, and Psychology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Details]
	(2017)	'Jay Belsky: A Review of Major Works' King, R. J (2017) 'Jay Belsky: A Review of Major Works' In: Encyclopaedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. [DOI] [Details]
	(2017)	'Hamilton’s Rule and its Theoretical Implications' King, R. J (2017) 'Hamilton’s Rule and its Theoretical Implications' In: Encyclopaedia of Evolutionary Psychology. Switzerland: Springer. [Details]

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Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2024)	'Demographic factors associated with healthcare avoidance and delay in the transgender population: Findings from a systematic review' Thomas, S. D., King, R., Murphy, M., & Dempsey, M. . (2024) 'Demographic factors associated with healthcare avoidance and delay in the transgender population: Findings from a systematic review'. Dialogues in Health, [Details]
	(2023)	'Demographic factors associated with healthcare avoidance and delay in the transgender population: Findings from a systematic review' Thomas, S. D., King, R., Murphy, M., & Dempsey, M (2023) 'Demographic factors associated with healthcare avoidance and delay in the transgender population: Findings from a systematic review'. Dialogues in Health,   [Details]
	(2022)	'“Nose Job”: Possible Side Effects of Sars-Cov-2' Robert King (2022) '“Nose Job”: Possible Side Effects of Sars-Cov-2'. Archives of Sexual Behavior, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'What does she see in him? Hybristophiles and spree killers' Shresta, Amber; Dempsey, Maria; Tuohy-Hamil, Senan; King, Robert (2022) 'What does she see in him? Hybristophiles and spree killers'. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2021)	'A Neurocognitive Perspective on Adaptive Imagination: Commentary on Adaptive Imagination: Toward a Mythopoetic Cognitive Science by Stephen Asma' King, R. & Felisberti, F (2021) 'A Neurocognitive Perspective on Adaptive Imagination: Commentary on Adaptive Imagination: Toward a Mythopoetic Cognitive Science by Stephen Asma'. Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture, [DOI] [Details]
	(2022)	'What Does She See in Him? Hybristophiles and Spree Killers' Shresta, A.Dempsey, M., Tuohy-Hamill, S., King, R. (2022) 'What Does She See in Him? Hybristophiles and Spree Killers'. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, n/a (n/a):online first-online first   [DOI] [Details]
	(2020)	'Running Amok: An evolutionary perspective on spree killers' King, R & Butler, N (2020) 'Running Amok: An evolutionary perspective on spree killers'. Mankind Quarterly, 60 (2) [Details]
	(2019)	'Near the knuckle: how evolutionary logic helps explain Irish Traveller bare-knuckle contests' King, Robert; O’Riordan, Caoilfhionn (2019) 'Near the knuckle: how evolutionary logic helps explain Irish Traveller bare-knuckle contests'. Human Nature, 30 (3):272-298   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2019)	'“That which is crooked can be made straight”: Challenges and opportunities of Assistive Reproductive Technologies (ART) in Ireland in the 21st century' King, Rob; Nagy, Andrea; Dempsey, Maria; Rice, Aoife (2019) '“That which is crooked can be made straight”: Challenges and opportunities of Assistive Reproductive Technologies (ART) in Ireland in the 21st century'. Personality and Individual Differences, 151 :1-5   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2018)	'Pot of gold at the rainbows end? A spectrum of attitudes to ART in Ireland' Dempsey, M., Nagy, A., and King, R. J (2018) 'Pot of gold at the rainbows end? A spectrum of attitudes to ART in Ireland'. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, [Details]
	(2016)	'I Can’t Get (no) Boolean Satisfaction' King, R. J. (2016) 'I Can’t Get (no) Boolean Satisfaction'. Frontiers in psychology, [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2016)	'Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK Men' Roberts, A., Coid, J., King, R., Murphy, R., Turner, J., Bowden-Jones, H., Du-Preez-Palmer, K. & Landon, J. (2016) 'Gambling and violence in a nationally representative sample of UK Men'. Addiction (Abingdon, England), [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2016)	'Measuring sperm backflow following female orgasm: a new method' King, Robert J.; Dempsey, Maria; Valentine, Katherine A. (2016) 'Measuring sperm backflow following female orgasm: a new method'. Socioaffective Neuroscience and Psychology, 6 :31927-1-3192-13   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2016)	'Seeing the man in the moon: Do children with autism perceive pareidolic faces? A pilot study' Ryan, C., King, R. J., & Stafford, M. (2016) 'Seeing the man in the moon: Do children with autism perceive pareidolic faces? A pilot study'. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, [DOI] [Details]
	(2015)	'Venus in Mammoth Furs: Evidence of Bridal Capture Rituals in Ice Age Figurines' King, R J (2015) 'Venus in Mammoth Furs: Evidence of Bridal Capture Rituals in Ice Age Figurines'. Mankind Quarterly, [Details]
	(2015)	'Alice in Blunderland: A Review of Alice Dreger: Galileo’s Middle Finger' King, R (2015) 'Alice in Blunderland: A Review of Alice Dreger: Galileo’s Middle Finger'. [Details]
	(2015)	'A Regiment of Monstrous Women: Female Horror Archetypes and Life History Theory' King, R. J. (2015) 'A Regiment of Monstrous Women: Female Horror Archetypes and Life History Theory'. Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, [DOI] [Details]
	(2014)	'Gene Genie' King, R. J. & Murphy, R. (2014) 'Gene Genie'. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, :1-9   [DOI] [Details]
	(2013)	'Just Growed Stories' King, R J (2013) 'Just Growed Stories'. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, [Details]
	(2013)	'Fists of Furry: At What point did Human Hands Part Company with the Rest of the Hominid Lineage?' King, R. J (2013) 'Fists of Furry: At What point did Human Hands Part Company with the Rest of the Hominid Lineage?'. Journal of Experimental Biology, [Details]
	(2013)	'Baby Got Back: Some Brief Observations on Obesity in Ancient Female Figurines: Limited Support for Waist to Hip Ratio Constant as a Signal of Fertility' King, R. J. (2013) 'Baby Got Back: Some Brief Observations on Obesity in Ancient Female Figurines: Limited Support for Waist to Hip Ratio Constant as a Signal of Fertility'. Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy, [Full Text] [Details]
	(2012)	'Evolutionary functions of human female orgasm' King, R. & Belsky, J. (2012) 'Evolutionary functions of human female orgasm'. Archives of Sexual Behavior, (Online first):1-16 [Details]
	(2011)	'Are there different types of female orgasm?' King, R., Belsky, J., Mah, K. & Binik, Y (2011) 'Are there different types of female orgasm?'. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40 :865-875 [Details]
	(2008)	'Fishing into our Past' King r j (2008) 'Fishing into our Past'. Evolutionary Psychology (Online Journal), 6 (2) [Details]

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Other Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2005)	'The Elephant Whisperer' King, R. (2005) 'The Elephant Whisperer' Ecologist, 35(9) :48-54. [Details]

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Conference Publications

	Year	Publication
	(2015)	Gambling Problems, Traumatic Life Events and the Perpetration of Violence Roberts, A., Coid, J., King, R., Murphy, R., Turner,. J. & Landon, J. Bowden-Jones, H. (2015) Gambling Problems, Traumatic Life Events and the Perpetration of Violence Gambling Problems, Traumatic Life Events and the Perpetration of Violence [DOI] [Details]

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Professional Activities

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Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	London School Economics	Research Associate	/

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Conference Contributions

	Year	Publication
	(2022)	Psychological Society of Ireland, King, R.,Shresta, A.Dempsey, M., Tuohy-Hamill, S., Minihane, K, Butler, N. (2022) PSI annual conference. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Psychological Society of Ireland, Portlaoise , 10-NOV-22 - 13-NOV-22. [Details]
	(2020)	Navigating Trans Healthcare in Ireland. PSI, Thomas, S., Murphy, M., King, R. & Dempsey, M (2020) Barriers to health care. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Navigating Trans Healthcare in Ireland. PSI, Ireland . [Details]
	(2020)	46th International Academy of Sex Research Online, Thomas, S., Murphy, M., King, R & Dempsey, M (2020) Barriers to Health-Seeking in Transgender Populations: Healthcare Avoidance and Communication Apprehension. Poster presentation. [Poster Presentation], 46th International Academy of Sex Research Online, Online . [Details]
	(2020)	PSI, Thomas, S., King, R. Murphy, M. & Dempsey, M. (2020) Factors associated with healthcare avoidance within the Transgender population: A systematic review. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], PSI, Online . [Details]
	(2020)	Psychology Health and Medicine Conference, Thomas, S., Dempsey, M. Murphy, M. & King, R (2020) A Qualitative Investigation of Healthcare Avoidance among Transgender Adults and the Role of the Doctor-Patient Relationship. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Psychology Health and Medicine Conference, Online . [Details]
	(2019)	EHBEA, King, R. J. (2019) Traveller Fights Viewed Through an Evolutionary Lens. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], EHBEA, Toulouse (France) , 14-APR-19 - 16-APR-19. [Details]
	(2017)	NEEPS, Garvey, K., and King, R (2017) US Voter Behavior and Life History Theory. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], NEEPS, USA . [Details]
	(2016)	P.S.I. (Health), Nagy, A., Dempsey, M. & King, R. J. (2016) Practitioners’ Understanding of Assistive Reproductive Technologies. [Oral Presentation], P.S.I. (Health), Cork (Ireland) . [Details]
	(2016)	P.S.I, Nagy, A. Dempsey, M., King., R. (2016) Assistive Reproductive Technologies: Practitioner and User Experiences. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], P.S.I, Ireland . [Details]
	(2016)	P.S.I, McGrath, N., Dempsey, D. & King, R. (2016) ‘How About a Walk? Exploring the Implementation of Walk and Talk Therapy into Counselling Services’ considers WTT from practitioners, university students and a service users’ perspective. [Oral Presentation], P.S.I, Ireland . [Details]
	(2016)	P.S.I. (health), King, R. J (2016) Sexual Risk Taking and Health. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], P.S.I. (health), Cork (Ireland) . [Details]
	(2015)	PSI, Murphy, R., King, R. Roberts, R., Turner, J., & Coid, J. (2015) Men’s sexual risk-taking and life history strategy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], PSI, PSI Galway . [Details]
	(2015)	EHBEA, King, R. (2015) Life History Theory and the influence on Myths and Legends. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], EHBEA, Helsinki , 31-MAR-15 - 02-APR-15. [Details]
	(2014)	Aspects of Freedom, King, R J (2014) Does neuroscience threaten our notions of freewill?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Aspects of Freedom, UCC , 07-MAR-14 - 07-MAR-14. [Details]
	(2014)	PSI 2014, King, R J (2014) Regiments of Monstrous Women: Horror stories as a window into life history theory. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], PSI 2014, Kilkenny, Ireland , 20-NOV-14 - 23-NOV-14. [Details]
	(2013)	Psychological Society of Ireland, Robert King (2013) New directions in fertility research. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Psychological Society of Ireland, Sligo , 07-NOV-13 - 09-NOV-13. [Details]
	(2012)	European Human Behaviour and Evolution, King, R. J., Spencer, R., Dickins, T (2012) Riotous Behaviour: A Guide for Governments. [Poster Presentation], European Human Behaviour and Evolution, Durham . [Details]
	(2011)	Human Behavior and Evolution, King, R J (2011) Human Female Orgasm and Typological Approach. [Oral Presentation], Human Behavior and Evolution, Montpelier . [Details]
	(2013)	DTrip Psychology Society Ireland, King, R J (2013) Sensitive Topics: Challenges for Design. [Plenary Lecture], DTrip Psychology Society Ireland, University College Cork , 21-SEP-13 - 21-SEP-13. [Details]
	(2007)	New Scientist New Researchers Competetion, King, R. J. (2007) Taking reports of the variance of female sexual response seriously. [Oral Presentation], New Scientist New Researchers Competetion, London , 01-JUN-07 - 01-JUN-07. [Details]
	(2010)	London Evolutionary Research Network, King, R. J. (2010) Invited competetion presentation to Amotz Zahavi. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], London Evolutionary Research Network, Univeristy College London , 01-MAR-10 - 01-MAR-10. [Details]
	(2010)	International Academy of Sex Research, King, R. J. & Belsky, J (2010) Evolutionary functions of female orgasm. [Poster Presentation], International Academy of Sex Research, Prague , 24-JUL-10 - 26-JUL-10. [Details]
	(2011)	Human Behaviour and Evolution, King, R. J (2011) Fertility implications of female orgasm. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Human Behaviour and Evolution, Montpelier , 01-JAN-13 - 04-JUL-11. [Details]
	(2012)	George Akerloff Social Behaviour Conference, King, R. J., Dickins, T., Pawson, C., & Spencer, R. (2012). (2012) Behavioral ecology analysis of the UK 2011 riots. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], George Akerloff Social Behaviour Conference, London School of Economics , 01-JUN-12 - 01-JUN-12. [Details]
	(2012)	EHBEA, Dickins, T., King, R. J., Pawson, C., & Spencer, R. (2012) Riotous Behaviour: A Guide For Governments. [Poster Presentation], EHBEA, Durham , 01-JUL-12 - 04-JUN-12. [Details]

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Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	Marketting		/
	Teaching and Learning		/
	Research		/

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Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	University College Cork	Lecturer	01-SEP-12 /
	Heriot Watt	Teaching Fellow	01-MAY-12 /
	University East London	Post Doctoral Research Fellow	01-JUL-11 / 01-OCT-12

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Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	1992	King's College London	BA (Hons)	Philosophy
	1994	Sheffield University	MASTERS	Philosophy, psychiatry and society
	1999	Birkbeck		Maths and Physics
	2003	Middlesex University		Psychology and Maths
	2005	British Psychological Society	BSC (HONS)	Psychology
	2011	Birkbeck University of London	PHD	Psychology

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Consultancy

	Client	Description
	Natural History Museum London	Consultant for Sexual Nature exhibition, 2011
	RedFM	Ongoing consultant for RedFM radio
	Psychology in Pubs	http://preview.tinyurl.com/6kp7j6v
	Channel Four	How Sex Works Pioneer productions. http://tiny.cc/c4ed0

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Journal Activities

	Journal	Role	To / From
	Evolutionary Psychology (Online Journal),	Referee	-

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Other Activities

	Description
	On the editorial review board for  Journal of Sexual Medicine, and Journal of Evolutionary Psychology.

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Teaching Activities

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Teaching Interests

At Cork teach in the areas of social psychology, cognitive psychology and bio psychology as well as research methods. I supervise students in areas pertaining to biological psychology and forensic psychology. I have co-ordinated the Conceptual and Historical Issues module (previously the philosophy of science and philosophy of psychology modules) since 2013 and. I am co-director of the Masters in Applied Psychology program and teach extensively on that course.
Previously, I have had teaching responsibilities in areas of research methods and  statistical modelling, historical perspectives on psychology, clinical issues, philosophy of mind, and evolutionary biology. I have coordinated modules on evolutionary psychology for both undergraduate and post graduate levels. 
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Recent Postgraduates

	Graduation Year	Student Name	Institution	Degree Type	Thesis Title
	2021	Andrea Nagy	UCC	PHD	Assistive Reproductive Technologies
	2019	Scotty McQueen	UCC	PHD	Psychic Perfromance
	2026	Agnieszka Sokolowska	University College Cork	PHD	Art Therapy and Infertility
	2019	Eliana Montiero	UCC	PHD	Mating Intelligence
	2024	Siobhan Thomas	UCC	PHD	Experience of Trans clients in Ireland