Robert King
Research Profile
Robert King
Contact Details
APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
University College Cork
Cork
Ireland
T: +353-21-490-3000
E: r.king@ucc.ie
0
T: 353-21-490-4515
M: 353-874-641200
T: 353-21-490-4515
M: 353-874-641200
Biography
I am a researcher with interests in biological psychology, behavioral ecology, philosophy of mind, and research methods.
I have published and consulted in areas pertaining to human sexual behavior and review for Journal of Sexual Medicine, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Evolutionary Behavioral Science and Journal of Evolutionary Psychology.
I completed my PhD with Jay Belsky, studying fertility-related aspects of female sexual response--work which is in production for a 2024 book called 'Naturally Selective (by Taylor & Francis).
I have an Erdos number of five.
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 |
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. [ Publisher's Version] [DOI] [Details] |
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. [ Publisher's Version] [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] |
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, [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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 [ Publisher's Version] [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] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2005) | 'The Elephant Whisperer'
King, R. (2005) 'The Elephant Whisperer' Ecologist, 35(9) :48-54. [Details] |
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] |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London School Economics | Research Associate | / |
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] |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketting | / | ||
| Teaching and Learning | / | ||
| Research | / |
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 |
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 |
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
|
Journal Activities
| Journal | Role | To / From | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evolutionary Psychology (Online Journal), | Referee | - |
Other Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
On the editorial review board for Journal of Sexual Medicine, and Journal of Evolutionary Psychology. |
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.
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.
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 |