research themes

An overview of the main research themes in my work.

My work is interdisciplinary, drawing on evolutionary psychology, social network analysis, health psychology, and quantitative methodology. The themes below capture the main strands — papers can appear under more than one theme, reflecting how these areas intersect. For the complete list, see the full publications page.

A core strand of my research examines the structure and function of people's social networks — from close family ties to broader friendship circles. Drawing on Robin Dunbar's social brain framework and egocentric network methods, this work investigates how personality, technology, and life circumstances shape the number, closeness, and composition of our relationships. Recent work extends this to understand how social networks relate to loneliness, well-being, and adaptation in specific populations including older adults and university students.

2026

PLOS ONE

An exploratory psychometric network analysis of the college adaptation questionnaire in a sample of first year students

Thomas V. Pollet, G. Adomaviciute, N. Haggag, and 2 more authors

PLoS ONE, 2026

@article{pollet2026caq,
  title = {An exploratory psychometric network analysis of the college adaptation questionnaire in a sample of first year students},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Adomaviciute, G. and Haggag, N. and Dodd, A. and Roberts, Sam G. B.},
  journal = {PLoS ONE},
  volume = {21},
  number = {5},
  pages = {e0348816},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0348816},
  keywords = {sdg10, sdg3, sdg4, theme_social}
}

2025

Preprint

First-generation students’ adaptation to university: The role of student social networks

Thomas V. Pollet, G. Adomaviciute, N. Haggag, and 2 more authors

2025

PsyArxiv preprint

@unpublished{pollet2025firstgen,
  title = {First-generation students' adaptation to university: The role of student social networks},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Adomaviciute, G. and Haggag, N. and Dodd, A. and Roberts, Sam G. B.},
  year = {2025},
  note = {PsyArxiv preprint},
  doi = {10.31234/osf.io/d4y7g_v1},
  keywords = {sdg10, sdg4, theme_social}
}

2024

Curr Psych

An Exploratory Psychometric Network Analysis of Loneliness Scales in a Sample of Older Adults

A. Thompson and Thomas V. Pollet

Current Psychology, 2024

@article{thompson2024loneliness,
  title = {An Exploratory Psychometric Network Analysis of Loneliness Scales in a Sample of Older Adults},
  author = {Thompson, A. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Current Psychology},
  volume = {43},
  pages = {5428--5442},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1007/s12144-023-04697-9},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_social}
}

2023

Psych Rep

HEXACO personality factors and their associations with Facebook use and Facebook network characteristics

R. Brown, Sam G. B. Roberts, and Thomas V. Pollet

Psychological Reports, 2023

@article{brown2023hexaco,
  title = {{HEXACO} personality factors and their associations with {Facebook} use and {Facebook} network characteristics},
  author = {Brown, R. and Roberts, Sam G. B. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Psychological Reports},
  year = {2023},
  doi = {10.1177/00332941231176403},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

2022

Preprint

Gender, self-disclosure and emotional closeness in friendships: an egocentric social network study

G. Brown, V. Curtis, and Thomas V. Pollet

2022

PsyArxiv preprint

@unpublished{brown2022gender,
  title = {Gender, self-disclosure and emotional closeness in friendships: an egocentric social network study},
  author = {Brown, G. and Curtis, V. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  year = {2022},
  note = {PsyArxiv preprint},
  doi = {10.31234/osf.io/wexn9},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

Age Soc

Friendships, loneliness and psychological well-being in older adults: A limit to the benefit of increasing the number friendships

A. Thompson, M. A. Smith, A. McNeill, and 1 more author

Ageing & Society, 2022

@article{thompson2022friendships,
  title = {Friendships, loneliness and psychological well-being in older adults: A limit to the benefit of increasing the number friendships},
  author = {Thompson, A. and Smith, M. A. and McNeill, A. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Ageing \& Society},
  pages = {1--26},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1017/S0144686X22000666},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_social}
}

2021

Cyber

Loneliness is negatively related to Facebook network size, but not related to Facebook network structure

R. M. Brown, Sam G. B. Roberts, and Thomas V. Pollet

Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 2021

@article{brown2021lonelinessfb,
  title = {Loneliness is negatively related to {Facebook} network size, but not related to {Facebook} network structure},
  author = {Brown, R. M. and Roberts, Sam G. B. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace},
  volume = {15},
  number = {2},
  pages = {article 6},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.5817/CP2021-2-6},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_social}
}

PAID

Extraversion is associated with advice network size, but not network density or emotional closeness to network members

C. Malcolm, Tamsin K. Saxton, K. McCarty, and 2 more authors

Personality and Individual Differences, 2021

@article{malcolm2021extraversion,
  title = {Extraversion is associated with advice network size, but not network density or emotional closeness to network members},
  author = {Malcolm, C. and Saxton, Tamsin K. and McCarty, K. and Roberts, Sam G. B. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},
  volume = {168},
  pages = {110311},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2020.110311},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

2018

SSR

Perceived group cohesion versus actual social structure: A study using social network analysis of egocentric Facebook networks

Marina Tulin, Thomas V. Pollet, and Nale Lehmann-Willenbrock

Social Science Research, 2018

@article{tulin2018cohesion,
  title = {Perceived group cohesion versus actual social structure: A study using social network analysis of egocentric {Facebook} networks},
  author = {Tulin, Marina and Pollet, Thomas V. and Lehmann-Willenbrock, Nale},
  journal = {Social Science Research},
  volume = {74},
  pages = {161--175},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1016/j.ssresearch.2018.04.004},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

2016

PAID

The Six Dimensions of Personality (HEXACO) and their Association with Network Layer Size and Emotional Closeness to Network Members

Catherine Molho, Sam G. B. Roberts, Reinout E. Vries, and 1 more author

Personality and Individual Differences, 2016

@article{molho2016hexaco,
  title = {The Six Dimensions of Personality ({HEXACO}) and their Association with Network Layer Size and Emotional Closeness to Network Members},
  author = {Molho, Catherine and Roberts, Sam G. B. and de Vries, Reinout E. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},
  volume = {99},
  pages = {144--148},
  year = {2016},
  doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.096},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

2013

PLOS ONE

Going that extra mile: Individuals travel further to maintain face-to-face contact with highly related kin than with less related kin

Thomas V. Pollet, Sam G. B. Roberts, and Robin I. M. Dunbar

PLoS ONE, 2013

@article{pollet2013extramile,
  title = {Going that extra mile: Individuals travel further to maintain face-to-face contact with highly related kin than with less related kin},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Roberts, Sam G. B. and Dunbar, Robin I. M.},
  journal = {PLoS ONE},
  volume = {8},
  pages = {e53929},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0053929},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

2011

JID

Extraverts have larger social network layers but do not feel emotionally closer to individuals at any layer

Thomas V. Pollet, Sam G. B. Roberts, and Robin I. M. Dunbar

Journal of Individual Differences, 2011

@article{pollet2011networklayers,
  title = {Extraverts have larger social network layers but do not feel emotionally closer to individuals at any layer},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Roberts, Sam G. B. and Dunbar, Robin I. M.},
  journal = {Journal of Individual Differences},
  volume = {32},
  pages = {161--169},
  year = {2011},
  doi = {10.1027/1614-0001/a000048},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

Cyber

Use of social network sites and instant messaging does not lead to increased offline social network size, or to emotionally closer relationships with offline network members

Thomas V. Pollet, Sam G. B. Roberts, and Robin I. M. Dunbar

Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 2011

@article{pollet2011snsonline,
  title = {Use of social network sites and instant messaging does not lead to increased offline social network size, or to emotionally closer relationships with offline network members},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Roberts, Sam G. B. and Dunbar, Robin I. M.},
  journal = {Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking},
  volume = {14},
  pages = {253--258},
  year = {2011},
  doi = {10.1089/cyber.2010.0161},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

2009

Soc Net

Exploring variation in active network size

Sam G. B. Roberts, Robin I. M. Dunbar, Thomas V. Pollet, and 1 more author

Social Networks, 2009

@article{roberts2009networksize,
  title = {Exploring variation in active network size},
  author = {Roberts, Sam G. B. and Dunbar, Robin I. M. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Kuppens, T.},
  journal = {Social Networks},
  volume = {31},
  pages = {138--146},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1016/j.socnet.2008.12.002},
  keywords = {theme_social}
}

Evolutionary Approaches to Human Behaviour

Much of my research applies evolutionary theory to human social and reproductive behaviour. This encompasses work on kin investment (grandparental care, sibling relationships), mate choice and jealousy, sex ratio effects on mating markets, and the role of physical characteristics in social and reproductive contexts. A recurring focus is testing whether predictions from evolutionary biology hold when examined with appropriate methods and representative samples.

2020

PSPB

Jealousy as a Function of Rival Characteristics: Two Large Replication Studies and Meta-Analyses Support Gender Differences in Reactions to Rival Attractiveness But Not Dominance

Thomas V. Pollet and Tamsin K. Saxton

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2020

@article{pollet2020jealousy,
  title = {Jealousy as a Function of Rival Characteristics: Two Large Replication Studies and Meta-Analyses Support Gender Differences in Reactions to Rival Attractiveness But Not Dominance},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Saxton, Tamsin K.},
  journal = {Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin},
  volume = {46},
  number = {10},
  pages = {1428--1443},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.31234/osf.io/28yvp},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2017

Anim Behav

The “strength of weak ties” among female baboons: fitness-related benefits of social bonds

Richard McFarland, D. Murphy, D. Lusseau, and 4 more authors

Animal Behaviour, 2017

@article{mcfarland2017weakties,
  title = {The ``strength of weak ties'' among female baboons: fitness-related benefits of social bonds},
  author = {McFarland, Richard and Murphy, D. and Lusseau, D. and Henzi, S. Peter and Parker, J. L. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Barrett, Louise},
  journal = {Animal Behaviour},
  volume = {126},
  pages = {101--106},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.02.002},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2014

Front Psych

From computers to cultivation: reconceptualizing evolutionary psychology

Louise Barrett, Thomas V. Pollet, and Gert Stulp

Frontiers in Psychology, 2014

@article{barrett2014cultivation,
  title = {From computers to cultivation: reconceptualizing evolutionary psychology},
  author = {Barrett, Louise and Pollet, Thomas V. and Stulp, Gert},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  volume = {5},
  pages = {867},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00867},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2012

JBS

A ‘gendered need’ explanation does not fully explain lineage based differences in grandparental investment found in a large British Cohort study

Thomas V. Pollet, Mark Nelissen, and Daniel Nettle

Journal of Biosocial Science, 2012

@article{pollet2012grandparents,
  title = {A `gendered need' explanation does not fully explain lineage based differences in grandparental investment found in a large {British} Cohort study},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Nelissen, Mark and Nettle, Daniel},
  journal = {Journal of Biosocial Science},
  volume = {44},
  pages = {377--381},
  year = {2012},
  doi = {10.1017/S0021932011000691},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2009

Biol Lett

Sex ratio biasing towards daughters among lower-ranking co-wives in Rwanda

Thomas V. Pollet, Tim W. Fawcett, Abraham P. Buunk, and 1 more author

Biology Letters, 2009

@article{pollet2009sexratio,
  title = {Sex ratio biasing towards daughters among lower-ranking co-wives in {Rwanda}},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Fawcett, Tim W. and Buunk, Abraham P. and Nettle, Daniel},
  journal = {Biology Letters},
  volume = {5},
  pages = {765--768},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2009.0394},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

PNAS

Market forces affect patterns of polygyny in Uganda

Thomas V. Pollet and Daniel Nettle

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – USA, 2009

@article{pollet2009polygyny,
  title = {Market forces affect patterns of polygyny in {Uganda}},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Nettle, Daniel},
  journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences -- USA},
  volume = {106},
  pages = {2114--2117},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1073/pnas.0810016106},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2008

Am Nat

Natural selection for male wealth

Daniel Nettle and Thomas V. Pollet

American Naturalist, 2008

@article{nettle2008wealth,
  title = {Natural selection for male wealth},
  author = {Nettle, Daniel and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {American Naturalist},
  volume = {172},
  pages = {658--666},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1086/591690},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

Biol Lett

Driving a hard bargain: Sex ratio and male marriage success in a historical U.S. population, 1910

Thomas V. Pollet and Daniel Nettle

Biology Letters, 2008

@article{pollet2008bargain,
  title = {Driving a hard bargain: Sex ratio and male marriage success in a historical {U.S.} population, 1910},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Nettle, Daniel},
  journal = {Biology Letters},
  volume = {4},
  pages = {31--33},
  year = {2008},
  doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2007.0543},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2007

Evol Psych

Maternal grandmothers do go the extra mile: factoring distance and lineage into differential investment in grandchildren

Thomas V. Pollet, Daniel Nettle, and Mark Nelissen

Evolutionary Psychology, 2007

@article{pollet2007grandmothers,
  title = {Maternal grandmothers do go the extra mile: factoring distance and lineage into differential investment in grandchildren},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Nettle, Daniel and Nelissen, Mark},
  journal = {Evolutionary Psychology},
  volume = {5},
  pages = {832--843},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1177/147470490700500411},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

PAID

Birth order and face-to-face contact with a sibling: Firstborns have more contact than laterborns

Thomas V. Pollet and Daniel Nettle

Personality and Individual Differences, 2007

@article{pollet2007birthordercontact,
  title = {Birth order and face-to-face contact with a sibling: Firstborns have more contact than laterborns},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Nettle, Daniel},
  journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},
  volume = {43},
  pages = {1796--1806},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2007.05.021},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

EHB

Genetic relatedness and sibling relationship characteristics in a modern society

Thomas V. Pollet

Evolution and Human Behavior, 2007

@article{pollet2007relatedness,
  title = {Genetic relatedness and sibling relationship characteristics in a modern society},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Evolution and Human Behavior},
  volume = {28},
  pages = {176--185},
  year = {2007},
  doi = {10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2006.10.001},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

2006

JCEP

Contact frequencies between grandparents and grandchildren in a modern society: Estimates of the impact of paternity uncertainty

Thomas V. Pollet, Daniel Nettle, and Mark Nelissen

Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology, 2006

@article{pollet2006grandparentscontact,
  title = {Contact frequencies between grandparents and grandchildren in a modern society: Estimates of the impact of paternity uncertainty},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Nettle, Daniel and Nelissen, Mark},
  journal = {Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology},
  volume = {4},
  pages = {203--214},
  year = {2006},
  doi = {10.1556/JCEP.4.2006.3-4.1},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

JCEP

When nieces and nephews become important: Differences between childless women and mothers in relationships with nieces and nephews

Thomas V. Pollet, T. Kuppens, and Robin I. M. Dunbar

Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology, 2006

@article{pollet2006niecesnephews,
  title = {When nieces and nephews become important: Differences between childless women and mothers in relationships with nieces and nephews},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Kuppens, T. and Dunbar, Robin I. M.},
  journal = {Journal of Cultural and Evolutionary Psychology},
  volume = {4},
  pages = {83--93},
  year = {2006},
  doi = {10.1556/jcep.4.2006.2.1},
  keywords = {theme_evo}
}

Body Image, Attractiveness & Physical Characteristics

This line of research investigates how people perceive and evaluate bodies — their own and others'. It spans body size perception and dissatisfaction, the cues people use for attractiveness judgments, and the role of physical characteristics such as height in social and competitive contexts. A methodological concern running through this work is whether findings generalise across diverse samples and measurement approaches.

2024

Sci Rep

Meta-analysis of the red advantage in combat sports

Leonard S. Peperkoorn, Russell A. Hill, Robert A. Barton, and 1 more author

Scientific Reports, 2024

@article{peperkoorn2024red,
  title = {Meta-analysis of the red advantage in combat sports},
  author = {Peperkoorn, Leonard S. and Hill, Russell A. and Barton, Robert A. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Scientific Reports},
  volume = {14},
  pages = {30822},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1038/s41598-024-81373-3},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

Body Image

Sample characteristics for quantitative analyses in \emphBody Image: Issues of generalisability

Thomas V. Pollet, Jeanne Bovet, R. Buhaenko, and 2 more authors

Body Image, 2024

@article{pollet2024bodyimage,
  title = {Sample characteristics for quantitative analyses in \emph{Body Image}: Issues of generalisability},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Bovet, Jeanne and Buhaenko, R. and Cornelissen, Piers L. and Tov{\'e}e, Martin J.},
  journal = {Body Image},
  volume = {49},
  pages = {101714},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101714},
  keywords = {sdg10, sdg4, theme_body}
}

2022

Evol Hum

Methodological issues when using face prototypes: A case study on the Faceaurus dataset

Jeanne Bovet, Arnaud Tognetti, and Thomas V. Pollet

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2022

@article{bovet2022faceaurus,
  title = {Methodological issues when using face prototypes: A case study on the {Faceaurus} dataset},
  author = {Bovet, Jeanne and Tognetti, Arnaud and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Evolutionary Human Sciences},
  volume = {4},
  pages = {E48},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1017/ehs.2022.25},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

2021

Body Image

Engagement with fat talk as a function of social comparison and body image concerns: Two replication studies support main effects but do not support an interaction effect

Thomas V. Pollet, S. Dawson, Martin J. Tovée, and 2 more authors

Body Image, 2021

@article{pollet2021fattalk,
  title = {Engagement with fat talk as a function of social comparison and body image concerns: Two replication studies support main effects but do not support an interaction effect},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Dawson, S. and Tov{\'e}e, Martin J. and Cornelissen, Piers L. and Cornelissen, Katri K.},
  journal = {Body Image},
  volume = {38},
  pages = {317--324},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.05.005},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_body}
}

Body Image

3D visualisation of psychometric judgements of the ideal male body

S. Mohamed, Robin S. S. Kramer, T. Thornborrow, and 3 more authors

Body Image, 2021

@article{mohamed2021idealmale,
  title = {{3D} visualisation of psychometric judgements of the ideal male body},
  author = {Mohamed, S. and Kramer, Robin S. S. and Thornborrow, T. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Cornelissen, Piers L. and Tov{\'e}e, Martin J.},
  journal = {Body Image},
  volume = {38},
  pages = {295--305},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.1016/j.bodyim.2021.05.003},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_body}
}

2020

BMC Psych

Referee height influences decision making in British football leagues

D. J. McCarrick, G. Brewer, M. Lyons, and 2 more authors

BMC Psychology, 2020

@article{mccarrick2020referee,
  title = {Referee height influences decision making in {British} football leagues},
  author = {McCarrick, D. J. and Brewer, G. and Lyons, M. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Neave, Nick},
  journal = {BMC Psychology},
  volume = {8},
  pages = {4},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1186/s40359-020-0370-4},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

BJP

Hungry People Prefer Larger Bodies and Objects: The Importance of Testing Boundary Effects

Tamsin K. Saxton, K. McCarty, J. Caizley, and 2 more authors

British Journal of Psychology, 2020

@article{saxton2020hungry,
  title = {Hungry People Prefer Larger Bodies and Objects: The Importance of Testing Boundary Effects},
  author = {Saxton, Tamsin K. and McCarty, K. and Caizley, J. and McCarrick, D. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {British Journal of Psychology},
  volume = {111},
  pages = {492--507},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1111/bjop.12417},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

2019

Body Image

Are attitudinal and perceptual body image the same or different? Evidence from high-level adaptation

Katri K. Cornelissen, H. Widdrington, K. McCarty, and 3 more authors

Body Image, 2019

@article{cornelissen2019bodyimage,
  title = {Are attitudinal and perceptual body image the same or different? Evidence from high-level adaptation},
  author = {Cornelissen, Katri K. and Widdrington, H. and McCarty, K. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Tov{\'e}e, Martin J. and Cornelissen, Piers L.},
  journal = {Body Image},
  volume = {31},
  pages = {35--47},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.08.001},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_body}
}

Body Image

The visual cues that drive the self-assessment of body size: dissociation between fixation patterns and the key areas of the body for accurate judgement

Kathryn R. Irvine, K. McCarty, Thomas V. Pollet, and 3 more authors

Body Image, 2019

@article{irvine2019visual,
  title = {The visual cues that drive the self-assessment of body size: dissociation between fixation patterns and the key areas of the body for accurate judgement},
  author = {Irvine, Kathryn R. and McCarty, K. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Cornelissen, Katri K. and Tov{\'e}e, Martin J. and Cornelissen, Piers L.},
  journal = {Body Image},
  volume = {29},
  pages = {31--46},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1016/j.bodyim.2019.02.006},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

2017

AJHB

Assortative mating for human height: a meta-analysis

Gert Stulp, Mirre J. P. Simons, S. Grasman, and 1 more author

American Journal of Human Biology, 2017

@article{stulp2017assortative,
  title = {Assortative mating for human height: a meta-analysis},
  author = {Stulp, Gert and Simons, Mirre J. P. and Grasman, S. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {American Journal of Human Biology},
  volume = {29},
  pages = {e22917},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1002/ajhb.22917},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

2015

PLOS ONE

Height Is Positively Related to Interpersonal Dominance in Dyadic Interactions

Gert Stulp, Abraham P. Buunk, Simon Verhulst, and 1 more author

PLoS ONE, 2015

@article{stulp2015dominance,
  title = {Height Is Positively Related to Interpersonal Dominance in Dyadic Interactions},
  author = {Stulp, Gert and Buunk, Abraham P. and Verhulst, Simon and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {PLoS ONE},
  volume = {10},
  pages = {e0117860},
  year = {2015},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0117860},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

2012

Behav Ecol

A curvilinear effect of height on reproductive success in human males

Gert Stulp, Thomas V. Pollet, Simon Verhulst, and 1 more author

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 2012

@article{stulp2012curvilinear,
  title = {A curvilinear effect of height on reproductive success in human males},
  author = {Stulp, Gert and Pollet, Thomas V. and Verhulst, Simon and Buunk, Abraham P.},
  journal = {Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
  volume = {66},
  pages = {375--384},
  year = {2012},
  doi = {10.1007/s00265-011-1283-2},
  keywords = {theme_body}
}

Methodology, Statistics & Meta-science

I maintain an active interest in improving research methods and statistical practice in the behavioural sciences. This includes work on publication bias, the problems of aggregating data across cultures, measurement equivalence, and the diversity (or lack thereof) of research samples. Several of these papers directly address statistical practices that can mislead — from arbitrary binning of survey data to overreliance on p-values in cross-cultural comparisons.

2026

Preprint

Studying the Best Can Mislead: Selection Bias in Expertise Research

Merim Bilalić, Nemanja Vaci, Johannes Hönekopp, and 1 more author

2026

PsyArxiv preprint

@unpublished{bilalic2026selection,
  title = {Studying the Best Can Mislead: Selection Bias in Expertise Research},
  author = {Bilali{\'c}, Merim and Vaci, Nemanja and H{\"o}nekopp, Johannes and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  year = {2026},
  note = {PsyArxiv preprint},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

Horm Behav

Little evidence for group differences in 2D:4D ratios based on sexual orientation after adjusting for publication bias

Victor K. M. Shiramizu, František Bartoš, Benedict C. Jones, and 1 more author

Hormones and Behavior, 2026

@article{shiramizu2026digit,
  title = {Little evidence for group differences in {2D:4D} ratios based on sexual orientation after adjusting for publication bias},
  author = {Shiramizu, Victor K. M. and Barto{\v{s}}, Franti{\v{s}}ek and Jones, Benedict C. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Hormones and Behavior},
  volume = {180},
  pages = {105921},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.yhbeh.2026.105921},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

2024

PLOS ONE

Publication Bias in Psychology: A Closer Look at the Correlation Between Sample Size and Effect Size

Audrey H. Linden, Thomas V. Pollet, and Johannes Hönekopp

PLoS ONE, 2024

@article{linden2024pubbias,
  title = {Publication Bias in Psychology: A Closer Look at the Correlation Between Sample Size and Effect Size},
  author = {Linden, Audrey H. and Pollet, Thomas V. and H{\"o}nekopp, Johannes},
  journal = {PLoS ONE},
  volume = {19},
  number = {2},
  pages = {e0297075},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0297075},
  keywords = {sdg4, theme_methods}
}

Stud HE

Consequences of arbitrary binning the mid-point category in survey data: An illustration with student satisfaction in National Student Survey

Thomas V. Pollet, Merim Bilalić, and Lee Shepherd

Studies in Higher Education, 2024

@article{pollet2024nss,
  title = {Consequences of arbitrary binning the mid-point category in survey data: An illustration with student satisfaction in {National Student Survey}},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Bilali{\'c}, Merim and Shepherd, Lee},
  journal = {Studies in Higher Education},
  volume = {49},
  number = {11},
  pages = {1945--1964},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1080/03075079.2023.2284808},
  keywords = {sdg4, theme_methods}
}

2022

JFHE

Subscales in the National Student Survey (NSS): Some considerations on their structure

Thomas V. Pollet and Lee Shepherd

Journal of Further and Higher Education, 2022

@article{pollet2022nsssubscales,
  title = {Subscales in the {National Student Survey (NSS)}: Some considerations on their structure},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Shepherd, Lee},
  journal = {Journal of Further and Higher Education},
  volume = {46},
  number = {9},
  pages = {1195--1211},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1080/0309877X.2022.2060069},
  keywords = {sdg4, theme_methods}
}

2019

EPS

How diverse are the samples used in the journals ‘Evolution & Human Behavior’ and ‘Evolutionary Psychology’?

Thomas V. Pollet and Tamsin K. Saxton

Evolutionary Psychological Science, 2019

@article{pollet2019diverse,
  title = {How diverse are the samples used in the journals `{Evolution \& Human Behavior}' and `{Evolutionary Psychology}'?},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Saxton, Tamsin K.},
  journal = {Evolutionary Psychological Science},
  volume = {5},
  pages = {357--368},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1007/s40806-019-00192-2},
  keywords = {sdg10, sdg4, theme_methods}
}

2017

Phil Trans B

The potential pitfalls of studying adult sex ratios at aggregate levels in humans

Thomas V. Pollet, A. H. Stoevenbelt, and T. Kuppens

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 2017

@article{pollet2017sexratios,
  title = {The potential pitfalls of studying adult sex ratios at aggregate levels in humans},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Stoevenbelt, A. H. and Kuppens, T.},
  journal = {Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B},
  volume = {372},
  pages = {20160317},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1098/rstb.2016.0317},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

HEB

Baseline probabilities for two-alternative forced choice tasks when judging stimuli in Evolutionary Psychology: a methodological note

Thomas V. Pollet and Anthony C. Little

Human Ethology Bulletin, 2017

@article{pollet2017baseline,
  title = {Baseline probabilities for two-alternative forced choice tasks when judging stimuli in Evolutionary Psychology: a methodological note},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Little, Anthony C.},
  journal = {Human Ethology Bulletin},
  volume = {32},
  pages = {53--59},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.22330/321/053-059},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

AHBP

To remove or not to remove: the impact of outlier handling on significance testing in testosterone data

Thomas V. Pollet and L. Meij

Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, 2017

@article{pollet2017outliers,
  title = {To remove or not to remove: the impact of outlier handling on significance testing in testosterone data},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and van der Meij, L.},
  journal = {Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology},
  volume = {3},
  pages = {43--60},
  year = {2017},
  doi = {10.1007/s40750-016-0050-z},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

2015

AJP

Taking the aggravation out of data aggregation: a conceptual guide to dealing with statistical issues related to the pooling of individual-level observational data

Thomas V. Pollet, Gert Stulp, S. Peter Henzi, and 1 more author

American Journal of Primatology, 2015

@article{pollet2015aggregation,
  title = {Taking the aggravation out of data aggregation: a conceptual guide to dealing with statistical issues related to the pooling of individual-level observational data},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Stulp, Gert and Henzi, S. Peter and Barrett, Louise},
  journal = {American Journal of Primatology},
  volume = {77},
  pages = {727--740},
  year = {2015},
  doi = {10.1002/ajp.22405},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

2014

Front Psych

Mind the level: Problems with two recent nation-level analyses in psychology

T. Kuppens and Thomas V. Pollet

Frontiers in Psychology, 2014

@article{kuppens2014level,
  title = {Mind the level: Problems with two recent nation-level analyses in psychology},
  author = {Kuppens, T. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  volume = {5},
  pages = {1110},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01110},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

Hum Nat

What can cross-cultural correlations teach us about human nature?

Thomas V. Pollet, Joshua M. Tybur, Willem E. Frankenhuis, and 1 more author

Human Nature, 2014

@article{pollet2014crosscultural,
  title = {What can cross-cultural correlations teach us about human nature?},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Tybur, Joshua M. and Frankenhuis, Willem E. and Rickard, Ian J.},
  journal = {Human Nature},
  volume = {25},
  pages = {419--429},
  year = {2014},
  doi = {10.1007/s12110-014-9206-3},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

2013

Front Psych

Much ado about p. What does a p value mean when testing hypotheses with aggregated cross-cultural data in the field of evolution and human behavior

Thomas V. Pollet

Frontiers in Psychology, 2013

@article{pollet2013pvalues,
  title = {Much ado about p. What does a p value mean when testing hypotheses with aggregated cross-cultural data in the field of evolution and human behavior},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  volume = {4},
  pages = {734},
  year = {2013},
  doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00734},
  keywords = {theme_methods}
}

Gender, Work & Representation

In collaboration with Clare Cook and others, I investigate gender dynamics in professional and cultural contexts — particularly how women navigate gendered expectations in comedy, acting, and academia. This extends to examining gender representation in educational materials and measurement equivalence of psychological scales across men and women.

2025

GWO

In Search of a Professional Image: How Women Comedians Engage Gender in their Work

C. Cook, Jamie L. Callahan, V. Elsey, and 1 more author

Gender, Work & Organization, 2025

@article{cook2025comedy,
  title = {In Search of a Professional Image: How Women Comedians Engage Gender in their Work},
  author = {Cook, C. and Callahan, Jamie L. and Elsey, V. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Gender, Work \& Organization},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1111/gwao.70067},
  keywords = {sdg5, theme_gender}
}

Hum Ethol

An index of her own: An investigation of the proportion of women indexed in evolutionary psychology textbooks

Thomas V. Pollet, Jeanne Bovet, E. Renner, and 1 more author

Human Ethology, 2025

@article{pollet2025women,
  title = {An index of her own: An investigation of the proportion of women indexed in evolutionary psychology textbooks},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Bovet, Jeanne and Renner, E. and Barrett, Louise},
  journal = {Human Ethology},
  volume = {40},
  number = {1},
  pages = {59--79},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.22330/001c.147268},
  keywords = {sdg10, sdg4, sdg5, theme_gender}
}

Psych Aesth

Acting gender: Actors’ experiences of gender role conformity and hopes for their characters

C. Cook, Thomas V. Pollet, and Jamie L. Callahan

Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 2025

@article{cook2025acting,
  title = {Acting gender: Actors' experiences of gender role conformity and hopes for their characters},
  author = {Cook, C. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Callahan, Jamie L.},
  journal = {Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts},
  volume = {9},
  number = {5},
  pages = {1177--1188},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1037/aca0000604},
  keywords = {sdg5, theme_gender}
}

2023

Hum Rel

Gender(ed) performances: Women’s impression management in stand-up comedy

C. Cook, Jamie L. Callahan, Thomas V. Pollet, and 1 more author

Human Relations, 2023

@article{cook2023comedy,
  title = {Gender(ed) performances: Women's impression management in stand-up comedy},
  author = {Cook, C. and Callahan, Jamie L. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Elliott, C.},
  journal = {Human Relations},
  volume = {77},
  number = {4},
  pages = {533--559},
  year = {2023},
  doi = {10.1177/00187267221137996},
  keywords = {sdg10, sdg5, theme_gender}
}

2022

PLOS ONE

Are we measuring loneliness in the same way in men and women in the general population and in the older population? Two studies of measurement equivalence

Thomas V. Pollet, A. Thompson, C. Malcolm, and 3 more authors

PLoS ONE, 2022

@article{pollet2022loneliness,
  title = {Are we measuring loneliness in the same way in men and women in the general population and in the older population? Two studies of measurement equivalence},
  author = {Pollet, Thomas V. and Thompson, A. and Malcolm, C. and McCarty, K. and Saxton, Tamsin K. and Roberts, Sam G. B.},
  journal = {PLoS ONE},
  volume = {17},
  number = {12},
  pages = {e0266167},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0266167},
  keywords = {sdg5, theme_gender}
}

2021

Psych Sex

A meta-analysis of the reliability of the Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory for Women (SSEI-W) measure

Alaric Lloyd, G. Brown, and Thomas V. Pollet

Psychology & Sexuality, 2021

@article{lloyd2021ssei,
  title = {A meta-analysis of the reliability of the {Sexual Self-Esteem Inventory for Women (SSEI-W)} measure},
  author = {Lloyd, Alaric and Brown, G. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Psychology \& Sexuality},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.1080/19419899.2021.1984982},
  keywords = {sdg5, theme_gender}
}

2020

PSPB

Comedians’ mean level and stage personalities: Evidence for goal-directed personality adaptation

Paul Irwing, C. Cook, Thomas V. Pollet, and 1 more author

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2020

@article{irwing2020comedians,
  title = {Comedians' mean level and stage personalities: Evidence for goal-directed personality adaptation},
  author = {Irwing, Paul and Cook, C. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Hughes, D.},
  journal = {Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin},
  volume = {46},
  number = {4},
  pages = {590--602},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1177/0146167219867963},
  keywords = {theme_gender}
}

2015

JESP

Gender Equality Probably Does Not Affect Performance at the Olympic Games: A Comment on Berdahl, Uhlmann, and Bai (2015)

T. Kuppens and Thomas V. Pollet

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 2015

@article{kuppens2015olympics,
  title = {Gender Equality Probably Does Not Affect Performance at the {Olympic Games}: A Comment on {Berdahl, Uhlmann, and Bai (2015)}},
  author = {Kuppens, T. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Journal of Experimental Social Psychology},
  volume = {61},
  pages = {144--147},
  year = {2015},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jesp.2015.06.002},
  keywords = {theme_gender}
}

Health, Well-being & Applied Settings

This strand brings together applied work spanning mental health, clinical populations, education, and public health. It includes systematic reviews of PTSD interventions and prevalence, studies of social determinants of well-being in specific groups (older adults, people with diabetes, involuntary celibates), and a growing focus on student experience and satisfaction in higher education.

2024

HSCC

A qualitative study of the impact of hoarding behaviours and social networks on older peoples supported housing decisions

C. Murphy-Morgan, P. Hodgson, Thomas V. Pollet, and 1 more author

Health and Social Care in the Community, 2024

@article{murphy2024hoarding,
  title = {A qualitative study of the impact of hoarding behaviours and social networks on older peoples supported housing decisions},
  author = {Murphy-Morgan, C. and Hodgson, P. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Neave, Nick},
  journal = {Health and Social Care in the Community},
  pages = {5513833},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1155/2024/5513833},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_health}
}

Cyber

No relationships between self-reported Instagram use or type of use and mental well-being: A study using a nationally representative online sample of UK adults

Sam G. B. Roberts, C. Malcolm, K. McCarty, and 1 more author

Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 2024

@article{roberts2024instagram,
  title = {No relationships between self-reported {Instagram} use or type of use and mental well-being: A study using a nationally representative online sample of {UK} adults},
  author = {Roberts, Sam G. B. and Malcolm, C. and McCarty, K. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace},
  volume = {18},
  number = {1},
  pages = {Article 3},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.5817/CP2024-1-3},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_health}
}

PAID

The mental well-being of Involuntary Celibates

T. W. Delaney, Thomas V. Pollet, and C. Cook

Personality and Individual Differences, 2024

@article{delaney2024incels,
  title = {The mental well-being of Involuntary Celibates},
  author = {Delaney, T. W. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Cook, C.},
  journal = {Personality and Individual Differences},
  volume = {218},
  pages = {112474},
  year = {2024},
  doi = {10.1016/j.paid.2023.112474},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_health}
}

2022

Curr Psych

When (deliberate) practice is not enough – the role of intelligence, practice, and knowledge in academic performance

Merim Bilalić, R. \DJokić, M. Koso-Drljević, and 2 more authors

Current Psychology, 2022

@article{bilalic2022practice,
  title = {When (deliberate) practice is not enough -- the role of intelligence, practice, and knowledge in academic performance},
  author = {Bilali{\'c}, Merim and {\DJ}oki{\'c}, R. and Koso-Drljevi{\'c}, M. and Djapo, N. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Current Psychology},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1007/s12144-022-03336-z},
  keywords = {sdg4, theme_health}
}

JMH

The role of self-efficacy and self-esteem in mediating positive associations between functional social support and psychological well-being in people with a mental health diagnosis

D. Rippon, J. Shepherd, S. Wakefield, and 2 more authors

Journal of Mental Health, 2022

@article{rippon2022selfefficacy,
  title = {The role of self-efficacy and self-esteem in mediating positive associations between functional social support and psychological well-being in people with a mental health diagnosis},
  author = {Rippon, D. and Shepherd, J. and Wakefield, S. and Lee, A. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Journal of Mental Health},
  volume = {33},
  number = {6},
  pages = {721--730},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1080/09638237.2022.2069695},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_health}
}

IJP

An exploration of the impact of contextual information on the emotion recognition ability of autistic adults

D. Metcalfe, K. McKenzie, K. McCarty, and 2 more authors

International Journal of Psychology, 2022

@article{metcalfe2022emotion,
  title = {An exploration of the impact of contextual information on the emotion recognition ability of autistic adults},
  author = {Metcalfe, D. and McKenzie, K. and McCarty, K. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Murray, G.},
  journal = {International Journal of Psychology},
  volume = {57},
  number = {3},
  pages = {433--442},
  year = {2022},
  doi = {10.1002/ijop.12834},
  keywords = {sdg10, theme_health}
}

2021

HPBM

Egocentric network characteristics of persons with Type 1 Diabetes and their relationships to perceived social support and well-being

T. Cheyne, M. A. Smith, and Thomas V. Pollet

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 2021

@article{cheyne2021diabetes,
  title = {Egocentric network characteristics of persons with {Type 1 Diabetes} and their relationships to perceived social support and well-being},
  author = {Cheyne, T. and Smith, M. A. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine},
  volume = {9},
  number = {1},
  pages = {662--680},
  year = {2021},
  doi = {10.1080/21642850.2021.1951272},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_health}
}

2020

Collabra

Does ‘Scientists believe’? imply ‘All scientists believe...’? Individual differences in the interpretation of generic news headlines

Matthew Haigh, Hayley A. Birch, and Thomas V. Pollet

Collabra: Psychology, 2020

@article{haigh2020scientists,
  title = {Does `Scientists believe'? imply `All scientists believe...'? Individual differences in the interpretation of generic news headlines},
  author = {Haigh, Matthew and Birch, Hayley A. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Collabra: Psychology},
  volume = {6},
  pages = {17174},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.1525/collabra.17174},
  keywords = {theme_health}
}

Nat Sci Sleep

Experienced demand does not affect subsequent sleep and the cortisol awakening response

Greg J. Elder, Mark A. Wetherell, Thomas V. Pollet, and 2 more authors

Nature and Science of Sleep, 2020

@article{elder2020sleep,
  title = {Experienced demand does not affect subsequent sleep and the cortisol awakening response},
  author = {Elder, Greg J. and Wetherell, Mark A. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Barclay, Nicola L. and Ellis, Jason G.},
  journal = {Nature and Science of Sleep},
  volume = {12},
  pages = {537--543},
  year = {2020},
  doi = {10.2147/nss.s231484},
  keywords = {sdg3, theme_health}
}

2018

JAD

Prevalence of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in adult civilian survivors of war who stay in war-afflicted regions. A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies

Nexhmedin Morina, K. Stam, Thomas V. Pollet, and 1 more author

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2018

@article{morina2018ptsd,
  title = {Prevalence of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in adult civilian survivors of war who stay in war-afflicted regions. A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies},
  author = {Morina, Nexhmedin and Stam, K. and Pollet, Thomas V. and Priebe, Stefan},
  journal = {Journal of Affective Disorders},
  volume = {239},
  pages = {328--338},
  year = {2018},
  doi = {10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.027},
  keywords = {sdg16, sdg3, theme_health}
}

2016

Clin Psych

Interventions for children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder: a meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies

Nexhmedin Morina, R. Koerssen, and Thomas V. Pollet

Clinical Psychology Review, 2016

@article{morina2016ptsdchildren,
  title = {Interventions for children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder: a meta-analysis of comparative outcome studies},
  author = {Morina, Nexhmedin and Koerssen, R. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Clinical Psychology Review},
  volume = {47},
  pages = {41--54},
  year = {2016},
  doi = {10.1016/j.cpr.2016.05.006},
  keywords = {sdg16, sdg3, theme_health}
}

2015

SPPS

Political Extremism Predicts Belief in Conspiracy Theories

Jan-Willem Van Prooijen, André P. M. Krouwel, and Thomas V. Pollet

Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2015

@article{vanprooijen2015conspiracy,
  title = {Political Extremism Predicts Belief in Conspiracy Theories},
  author = {Van Prooijen, Jan-Willem and Krouwel, Andr{\'e} P. M. and Pollet, Thomas V.},
  journal = {Social Psychological and Personality Science},
  volume = {6},
  pages = {570--578},
  year = {2015},
  doi = {10.1177/1948550614567356},
  keywords = {sdg16, theme_health}
}