EPISODE · Dec 23, 2025 · 48 MIN
Evolutionary Psychologist: “Sex, Status, and Survival” The Hidden Drivers of Human Behavior
from Influence Anyone · host Howie Chan
In this episode of the Influence Anyone Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Dr. Douglas Kenrick, an evolutionary psychologist and professor at Arizona State University, who has also worked with Dr. Robert Cialdini, the godfather of influence, over the years. They delve into the primal forces behind decision-making and the underlying reason why we do what we do. Dr. Kenrick provides the basic structure of evolved human motives and how to use them, along with the 7 principles of influence, to persuade others more effectively. He also shares a way to enjoy your work more and how you don't need to be dominant and aggressive to be a good leader. Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans? Sign up for the Behavioring Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course. Episode Breakdown: 0:00:00 Kenrick’s redemption and early academic path 0:08:17 The controversial evolutionary psychology 0:17:00 The primal forces behind our decisions 0:23:23 Solving for ancient problems in modern times 0:25:15 Prestige-based vs. dominance-based leadership 0:30:25 How our ancient motives affect our influence 0:41:40 Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life insights From Our Guest: Website LinkedIn X Get the books, Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain, The Rational Animal, and Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life. Get people to buy into your ideas and offers! Join the FREE Influence Anyone newsletter. Each week, I uncover a proven strategy from world experts and scientific research to influence human behavior – including your own. 📩 Go to: www.howiechan.com/sub Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review! Produced by Ideablossoms Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
What this episode covers
In this episode of the Influence Anyone Podcast, host Howie Chan interviews Dr. Douglas Kenrick, an evolutionary psychologist and professor at Arizona State University, who has also worked with Dr. Robert Cialdini, the godfather of influence, over the years. They delve into the primal forces behind decision-making and the underlying reason why we do what we do. Dr. Kenrick provides the basic structure of evolved human motives and how to use them, along with the 7 principles of influence, to persuade others more effectively. He also shares a way to enjoy your work more and how you don't need to be dominant and aggressive to be a good leader. Want prospects to become customers and passers-by to become fans? Sign up for the Behavioring Blueprint, my FREE 7-day email course. Episode Breakdown: 0:00:00 Kenrick’s redemption and early academic path 0:08:17 The controversial evolutionary psychology 0:17:00 The primal forces behind our decisions 0:23:23 Solving for ancient problems in modern times 0:25:15 Prestige-based vs. dominance-based leadership 0:30:25 How our ancient motives affect our influence 0:41:40 Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life insights From Our Guest: Website LinkedIn X Get the books, Solving Modern Problems with a Stone-Age Brain, The Rational Animal, and Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life. Get people to buy into your ideas and offers! Join the FREE Influence Anyone newsletter. Each week, I uncover a proven strategy from world experts and scientific research to influence human behavior – including your own. 📩 Go to: www.howiechan.com/sub Follow, subscribe, and don’t forget to leave a rating and review! Produced by Ideablossoms Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Evolutionary Psychologist: “Sex, Status, and Survival” The Hidden Drivers of Human Behavior
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