I know you are probably saying, "What's the coolidge effect, and why should I be interested?" Well scientists and anthroplogists believe that it's the biological reason for infidelity; which is one of the leading causes of divorce and strife in relationships.
Are you interested now?
According to the article: German researchers reported as the duration of partnership increases, sexual desire generally declines in women—while desire for tenderness generally declines in men.
Mates are actually up against a rather nasty subconscious genetic program, which often pushes them out of sync sexually—and even onward to novel partners.
When scientists looked into the brains of mating rats, they discovered that a neurochemical called dopamine was behind the phenomenon of mate fatigue.
When scientists looked into the brains of mating rats, they discovered that a neurochemical called dopamine was behind the phenomenon of mate fatigue.
As a rat copulates repeatedly with the same partner, less and less dopamine is released in the reward circuitry of its brain. Yet when a novel potential mate shows up, dopamine surges again.
In experiments with male monkeys that were paired repeatedly with the same females (who were always in the mood, thanks to daily hormone injections) the males copulated less and less frequently, and with declining enthusiasm, over a three-and-a-half-year period. Not only that, when novel females showed up, these slackers hurriedly rolled into action with their original zest.
For the complete article and the story on behind why it's called "the coolidge effect," click here.
For the complete article and the story on behind why it's called "the coolidge effect," click here.
Very interesting :)) Now it all makes sense! I think back, to a conversation, that you and I recently had. I love all your blogs! They all offer so much. From insight, to wisdom, and the list goes on and on. However, I found myself @ times anticipating, The Coolidge Effect. This particular blog, acts as the missing piece of a puzzle re: my personal relationship or lack thereof. Which is one of hundreds of reasons, I can sit here, open heart, open mind, and say without a doubt, now it all makes sense!
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
~ It not too late for me ~
Hi there, thanks for an interesting article. I've heard about the coolidge effect before though I had only heard of the story involving the rooster with MR and Mrs Coolidge and not the other studies involving the rats and hamsters. It's an entertaining read anyway :)
ReplyDeleteI've been reading little bit more about psychology related to relationships and do you think the coolidge effect applies to people and thier sexual behaviour as well? And what is your take on body language and courtship as well? are there signs similar to this article about the psychology of body language here
http://brainstormpsychology.blogspot.com/2013/06/3-quick-facts-on-body-language-and-non.html
And what other thinks would you be aware of in the initial stages of a relationship?
Thanks in advance