Alita Cousins

Dr. Alita Cousins is a Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Eastern Connecticut State University. Her research focuses on evolutionary psychology, particularly exploring how evolutionary history influences human behavior and mate choice dynamics. She directs the Social and Evolutionary Psychology Lab, where undergraduate students actively participate in research and present findings at professional conferences. Two of her advisees won the Best Poster Award at the Northeast Evolutionary Psychology Society conference.

Her teaching interests include Evolutionary Psychology, Statistics, and Human Sexuality. Dr. Cousins holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of New Mexico. Her work examines topics such as conflict in romantic relationships, mate choice preferences across generations, and the evolutionary roots of intimate partner violence.

Key research trends in her publications include the interplay between physical attractiveness and intelligence in mate selection, the role of parental influence on mate preferences, and predictors of infanticide from an evolutionary perspective. She has also contributed to understanding manipulation tactics and their evolutionary precursors to partner violence.

Dr. Cousins emphasizes student research involvement, with many undergraduates presenting at conferences. Her scientific awards include recognition for student research excellence. Her lab focuses on empirical studies of evolutionary behavioral science, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.