#1254 Lynda Boothroyd: How Culture and the Media Shape Gender Differences and Mate Preferences
RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 23rd 2026.
Dr. Lynda Boothroyd is a Professor of Psychology at Durham University. Her research focuses on Evolutionary and Cross-Cultural understandings of interpersonal attraction and sexual selection. She has focused on body ideals in rural Nicaragua alongside experimental work both in the laboratory and in the field on the impacts of visual experience on body size preferences.
In this episode, we start by talking about where gender differences stem from, and the influence of culture. We discuss gender differences in “gender equal” countries. We then talk about how mate preferences vary, and how they are influenced by culture and the media. We discuss body dissatisfaction in young girls, whether there is a relationship between facial appearance and health outcomes, and men’s body image. Finally, we talk about how to approach gender differences and mate preferences in a scientifically rigorous way.
Time Links:
Intro
Where gender differences stem from
Gender differences in “gender equal” countries
Do more “masculine” have higher fitness?
How mate preferences vary
Body dissatisfaction in young girls
Facial appearance and health outcomes
Men’s body image
How to approach gender differences and mate preferences
Follow Dr. Boothroyd’s work!
Follow Dr. Boothroyd’s work:
Faculty page: https://tinyurl.com/4js96hsx
ResearchGate profile: https://tinyurl.com/m89wnj6k
X handle: @drboothroyd