Dr. Gad Saad: Why Men Are Biologically Programmed to Cheat (It's Not What You Think) episode artwork

EPISODE · May 9, 2026 · 18 MIN

Dr. Gad Saad: Why Men Are Biologically Programmed to Cheat (It's Not What You Think)

from First Principles · host Adrian Wells

What if everything you think you know about male infidelity is actually backward? Adrian Wells sits down with evolutionary psychologist Dr. Gad Saad to explore the uncomfortable science behind cheating patterns that show up across every culture on Earth. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why male mammals (including humans) show higher variance in reproductive success and what this means for relationship behavior • The real data behind infidelity rates across 37 different cultures and why the patterns are so consistent • How countries with more gender equality actually show larger psychological differences between men and women, not smaller ones 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth who wants to understand human behavior through a scientific lens rather than wishful thinking. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the controversy around biological programming [01:45] Dr. Saad breaks down the cross-cultural infidelity studies [04:20] Why understanding biology doesn't excuse bad behavior [06:30] The gender equality paradox that surprised researchers [08:15] Male vs female reproductive strategies throughout history [10:00] Key takeaways you can use in your own relationships Dr. Saad has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles and his research has been cited thousands of times. This isn't opinion or theory. It's data from decades of cross-cultural studies that most people never hear about because the findings make everyone uncomfortable. Look, nobody wants to hear that biology influences behavior. But ignoring the science doesn't make it go away. Understanding these patterns might actually help you make better choices in your relationships, not worse ones. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: evolutionary psychology, relationship science, Dr Gad Saad, infidelity research, gender differences Find all episodes at First Principles ---------- Keywords: decision making, personal development, success psychology, anxiety management, career advice, business strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if everything you think you know about male infidelity is actually backward? Adrian Wells sits down with evolutionary psychologist Dr. Gad Saad to explore the uncomfortable science behind cheating patterns that show up across every culture on Earth. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • Why male mammals (including humans) show higher variance in reproductive success and what this means for relationship behavior • The real data behind infidelity rates across 37 different cultures and why the patterns are so consistent • How countries with more gender equality actually show larger psychological differences between men and women, not smaller ones 👤 Perfect for: lifelong learners and anyone passionate about personal growth who wants to understand human behavior through a scientific lens rather than wishful thinking. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] Adrian Wells introduces the controversy around biological programming [01:45] Dr. Saad breaks down the cross-cultural infidelity studies [04:20] Why understanding biology doesn't excuse bad behavior [06:30] The gender equality paradox that surprised researchers [08:15] Male vs female reproductive strategies throughout history [10:00] Key takeaways you can use in your own relationships Dr. Saad has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles and his research has been cited thousands of times. This isn't opinion or theory. It's data from decades of cross-cultural studies that most people never hear about because the findings make everyone uncomfortable. Look, nobody wants to hear that biology influences behavior. But ignoring the science doesn't make it go away. Understanding these patterns might actually help you make better choices in your relationships, not worse ones. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow First Principles on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, your next favorite insight is one tap away. 🔍 Topics: evolutionary psychology, relationship science, Dr Gad Saad, infidelity research, gender differences Find all episodes at First Principles ---------- Keywords: decision making, personal development, success psychology, anxiety management, career advice, business strategy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Dr. Gad Saad: Why Men Are Biologically Programmed to Cheat (It's Not What You Think)

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This episode was published on May 9, 2026.

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What if everything you think you know about male infidelity is actually backward? Adrian Wells sits down with evolutionary psychologist Dr. Gad Saad to explore the uncomfortable science behind cheating patterns that show up across every culture on...

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