Dr. Demarest has trained in interdisciplinary programs since his undergraduate education. His teaching and research tends to focus on the intersection of biology, psychology, and anthropology. They also include feminist theory and sex role stereotyping, especially as it relates to male roles. He labels himself as an evolutionary psychologist with research focusing primarily on mating systems in animal and human species. Most of his research concerns what is normally considered social psychology (e.g., attraction, mating relationships, sibling, parenting, grandparenting, and kinship relationships, coalition and alliance formation, and related phenomena.  However, the focus is almost always shaped by the evolutionary umbrella that provides the theoretical basis for understanding the phenomena subsumed by these topics.

Education

Post Doc, University of Michigan

Ph.D., State University of NY – StonyBrook

B.A., State University of NY – Brockport

Research Interests

Primary fields of interest are evolutionary psychology, animal behavior, behavioral ecology, and anthropology. Current research focuses mostly on mating systems, especially sexual strategies in animal and human populations. My animal research includes studies on personality traits in fish, and intrasexual male-male aggression and its impact on mate choice of/by females in wild type and domestic Betta splendens (Siamese Fighting Fish).  Human studies (Homo sapiens) currently include sex differences in short and long term mating preferences in humans across the lifespan, infidelity and jealousy, mate retention tactics, and parental investment strategies.  Teaching and research interests also include feminist theory and sex role stereotyping, especially as it relates to male roles, and cross cultural research comparing individualistic and collectivistic influences on social behavior.

Books

Gibbons, E., Durrant, B., & Demarest, J. (Eds.) (1995).  Captive conservation of endangered species: An interdisciplinary approach. New York: SUNY Press.

Scholarly Articles

Seibell, P.J.,* Demarest, J, & Rhoads, D.E. (2003).  5-HT1A receptor activity disrupts spontaneous alternation behavior in rats.  Pharmacology, Biochemistry & Behavior.

Demarest, J. & Allen, R.* (2000). Body shape satisfaction: Race and sex differences. Journal of Social Psychology.

Demarest, J. & Langer, E.* (1999).  Body image satisfaction: Gender and age differences. Psychological Reports.

Demarest, J. & Langer, E.* (1996).  Perception of body shape by underweight, average, and overweight men and women.  Perceptual and Motor Skills, 83, 569-570.

Demarest, J. & Bradley, M. (1995). Behavioral research with endangered invertebrate species. In E. Gibbons, B. Durrant & J. Demarest (Eds.).  Captive conservation of endangered species: An interdisciplinary approach.  New York: SUNY Press.

Kortenhaus, C.* & Demarest, J. (1993). Gender role stereotyping in children’s literature: An update. Sex Roles, 28, 219-232

Thompson, R.K.R. & Demarest, J. (1992). Comparative Psychology: Last bastion of a compleat Functionalism.  In D.A. Owens & M. Wagner (Eds.), Progress in modern psychology: The legacy of American Functionalism. New York: Praeger.

Demarest, J. & Glinos, F.* (1992).  Gender and sex role differences in adult reactions towards “newborns” in a pretend situation. Psychological Reports, 71, 727-737.

Demarest, J. & Garner, J.* (1992). The representation of women’s roles in women’s magazines over the past 30years.  Journal of Psychology, 126, 357-369.

Demarest, J. (1992).  Reassessment of socially mediated learning in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).  Journal of Comparative Psychology, 106, 1-13.

Presentations/Invited Talks

Demarest, J. & Alfassa*, S. (2016). “Crossing the Line:” Reactions to Potential Threats to a Relationship: The Best Friend’s Sex and Sexual Orientation. Paper presented at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) meetings, New York City, NY, March 5-6, 2016

Clemente*, A.A. & Demarest, J. (2016).  Cell Phone Separation Anxiety.  Poster presented at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) meetings, New York City, NY, March 5-6, 2016

Demarest, J. (2015).  Simple Methods for Teaching about Historical Advances in Understanding the Nervous System. Paper presented at the Association for the Teaching of Psychology Meetings, Red Bank, NJ, September 19, 2015.

Demarest, J. & Alfassa*, S. (2015). Emotional and Cognitive Reactions to Various “Crossing the Line” Scenarios: The Best Friend’s Sex and Sexual Orientation, Association for Psychological Science (APS) meetings, New York City, NY, May 21-24, 2015.

Demarest, J. & Alfassa*, S. (2015). When does a mate’s best friend cross the line into emotional infidelity? Poster presented at the Northeast Evolutionary Psychology Society (NEEPS) Meetings, Boston, MA, April 8-10, 2015.

Alves*, T. & Demarest, J.  (2015). Female Mating Preferences:  Female Acceptance of Males Who Have Indulged in Alternate  Sexual Activities.  Poster submitted to the Eastern Psychological Association Meetings, Philadelphia, PA, March 5-7, 2015.

Alfassa*, S. & Demarest, J. (2015).  The Impact of Self-Esteem on Emotional and Cognitive Reactions to Various “Crossing the Line” Scenarios.  Poster presented at the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Meetings, Philadelphia, PA, March 5-7, 2015.

Demarest, J.  (2014). Aggressive “Personalities” in Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta splendens . Paper presented at the Animal Behavior Society (ABS) Meetings, Princeton, NJ, August 20-24, 2014

Demarest, J & Gilliam*, P. (2014). Would you buy from this Guy?  Paper presented at the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavior Research (IOSSBR) Society Meetings, Atlantic City, April 10-11, 2014.

Woung-Fallon, K. & Demarest, J.  (2014). The Effect of Personal Creativity and the Model’s Hair Style on Attributes About the Model and Relationship Desirability of the Model. Poster submitted to the Eastern Psychological Association Meetings, Philadelphia, PA, March 5-7, 2015.

Professional Associations

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Psychological Association
• Association for Psychological Science
• Animal Behavior Society
• Consortium of Aquariums, Universities, and Zoos
• Eastern Psychological Association
• Human Behavior and Evolution Society
• New Jersey Academy of Sciences
• New York Academy of Sciences
• Northeast Evolutionary Psychology Society
• International Association of Fish Ethologists
• International Society of Comparative Psychologists
• International Society of Human Ethology