Associate Professor Brendan Zietsch
Associate Professor

Brendan Zietsch

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 56230

Background

Brendan's PhD studies were based in the Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, where he investigated the genetics of sexual behaviour. He joined UQ in 2010 on a UQ Postdoctoral Fellowship, followed by an ARC DECRA and then an ARC Future Fellowship.

His work focuses on understanding the evolutionary and genetic underpinnings of human behaviour, in terms of what humans are like in general and what makes individuals differ from one another. Topics include personality, sexual and romantic preferences and choices, mental and physical determinants of attractiveness, sex differences and masculinity/femininity, and evolutionary modelling.

Availability

Associate Professor Brendan Zietsch is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Brendan Zietsch’s works on UQ eSpace

129 works between 2005 and 2025
All (129) Journal Article (104) Book Chapter (6) Conference Publication (16) Other Outputs (3)

81 - 100 of 129 works

2014

Journal Article

Testing the prediction from sexual selection of a positive genetic correlation between human mate preferences and corresponding traits

Verweij, Karin J. H., Burri, Andrea V. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2014). Testing the prediction from sexual selection of a positive genetic correlation between human mate preferences and corresponding traits. Evolution and Human Behavior, 35 (6), 497-501. doi: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2014.06.009

Testing the prediction from sexual selection of a positive genetic correlation between human mate preferences and corresponding traits

2014

Conference Publication

Are there genetic influences unique to second generation reproductive success?

Zietsch, Brendan, Kuja-Halkola, Ralf, Walum, Hasse and Verweij, Karin (2014). Are there genetic influences unique to second generation reproductive success?. 44th Annual Meeting of the Behavior-Genetics-Association, Charlottesville Va, Jun 18-21, 2014. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.

Are there genetic influences unique to second generation reproductive success?

2014

Journal Article

No evidence for genetic assortative mating beyond that due to population stratification

Abdellaoui, Abdel, Verweij, Karin J. H. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2014). No evidence for genetic assortative mating beyond that due to population stratification. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111 (40) e4137, E4137-E4137. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1410781111

No evidence for genetic assortative mating beyond that due to population stratification

2014

Journal Article

The association of genotype-based inbreeding coefficient with a range of physical and psychological human traits

Verweij, Karin J. H., Abdellaoui, Abdel, Veijola, Juha, Sebert, Sylvain, Koiranen, Markku, Keller, Matthew C., Jarvelin, Marjo-Ritta and Zietsch, Brendan .P. (2014). The association of genotype-based inbreeding coefficient with a range of physical and psychological human traits. PLoS One, 9 (7) e103102, e103102.1-e103102.6. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103102

The association of genotype-based inbreeding coefficient with a range of physical and psychological human traits

2014

Journal Article

A multivariate approach to human mate preferences

Lee, Anthony J., Dubbs, Shelli L., Von Hippel, William, Brooks, Robert C. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2014). A multivariate approach to human mate preferences. Evolution and Human Behavior, 35 (3), 193-203. doi: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2014.01.003

A multivariate approach to human mate preferences

2014

Journal Article

Perfect genetic correlation between number of offspring and grandoffspring in an industrialized human population

Zietsch, Brendan P., Kuja-Halkola, Ralf, Wallum, Hasse and Verweij, Karin J. H. (2014). Perfect genetic correlation between number of offspring and grandoffspring in an industrialized human population. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111 (3), 1032-1036. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1310058111

Perfect genetic correlation between number of offspring and grandoffspring in an industrialized human population

2014

Journal Article

Genetic factors that increase male facial masculinity decrease facial attractiveness of female relatives

Lee, Anthony J., Mitchem, Dorian G., Wright, Margaret J., Martin, Nicholas G., Keller, Matthew C. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2014). Genetic factors that increase male facial masculinity decrease facial attractiveness of female relatives. Psychological Science, 25 (2), 476-484. doi: 10.1177/0956797613510724

Genetic factors that increase male facial masculinity decrease facial attractiveness of female relatives

2013

Journal Article

Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual dimorphism

Mitchem, Dorian G., Purkey, Alicia M., Grebe, Nicholas M., Carey, Gregory, Garver-Apgar, Christine E., Bates, Timothy C., Arden, Rosalind, Hewitt, John K., Medland, Sarah E., Martin, Nicholas G., Zietsch, Brendan P. and Keller, Matthew C. (2013). Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual dimorphism. Behavior Genetics, 44 (3), 270-281. doi: 10.1007/s10519-013-9627-5

Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual dimorphism

2013

Conference Publication

Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual dimorphism

Mitchem, Dorian, Purkey, Alicia, Grebe, Nicholas, Carey, Greg, Garver-Apgar, Christine, Bates, Timothy, Arden, Rosalind, Hewitt, John, Medland, Sarah, Martin, Nick G., Zietsch, Brendan and Keller, Matthew (2013). Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual dimorphism. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Behavior-Genetics-Association, Marseille France, Jun 28-Jul 02, 2013. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.

Estimating the sex-specific effects of genes on facial attractiveness and sexual dimorphism

2013

Journal Article

No direct relationship between human female orgasm rate and number of offspring

Zietsch, Brendan P. and Santtila, Pekka (2013). No direct relationship between human female orgasm rate and number of offspring. Animal Behaviour, 86 (2), 253-255. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.05.011

No direct relationship between human female orgasm rate and number of offspring

2013

Journal Article

Correction: Maintenance of variation in human personality: testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding (vol 66, pg 3238, 2012)

Verweij, K. J. H., Yang, J., Lahti, J., Veijola, J., Hintsanen, M., Pulkki-Raback, L., Heinonen, K., Pouta, A., Pesonen, A. -K., Widen, E., Taanila, A., Isohanni, M., Miettunen, J., Palotie, A., Penke, L., Service, S. K., Heath, A. C., Montgomery, G. W., Raitakari, O., Kaehoenen, M., Viikari, J., Raeikkoenen, K., Eriksson, J. G., Keltikangas-Jaervinen, L., Lehtimaeki, T., Martin, N. G., Jaervelin, M. -R., Visscher, P. M., Keller, M. C. and Zietsch, B. P. (2013). Correction: Maintenance of variation in human personality: testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding (vol 66, pg 3238, 2012). Evolution, 67 (5), 1537-1537. doi: 10.1111/evo.12095

Correction: Maintenance of variation in human personality: testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding (vol 66, pg 3238, 2012)

2013

Journal Article

Human facial attributes, but not perceived intelligence, are used as cues of health and resource provision potential

Lee, Anthony J., Dubbs, Shelli L., Kelly, Ashleigh J., von Hippel, William, Brooks, Robert C. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2013). Human facial attributes, but not perceived intelligence, are used as cues of health and resource provision potential. Behavioral Ecology, 24 (3), 779-787. doi: 10.1093/beheco/ars199

Human facial attributes, but not perceived intelligence, are used as cues of health and resource provision potential

2013

Journal Article

The genetic correlation between height and IQ: shared genes or assortative mating?

Keller, Matthew C., Garver-Apgar, Christine E., Wright, Margaret J., Martin, Nicholas G., Corley, Robin P., Stallings, Michael C., Hewitt, John K. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2013). The genetic correlation between height and IQ: shared genes or assortative mating?. PLoS Genetics, 9 (4) e1003451, e1003451.1-e1003451.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003451

The genetic correlation between height and IQ: shared genes or assortative mating?

2013

Conference Publication

Genetic analysis of male and female twins does not support 'indirect benefits' account of masculine male face shape

Zietsch, Brendan, Lee, Anthony, Mitchem, Dorian, Wright, Margaret, Martin, Nicholas and Keller, Matthew (2013). Genetic analysis of male and female twins does not support 'indirect benefits' account of masculine male face shape. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Behavior-Genetics-Association, Marseille France, 28 June-02 July 2013. New York, NY United States: Springer New York LLC. doi: 10.1007/s10519-013-9623-9

Genetic analysis of male and female twins does not support 'indirect benefits' account of masculine male face shape

2012

Conference Publication

Maintenance of genetic variation in human personality: Testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding

Zietsch, Brendan and Verweij, Karin (2012). Maintenance of genetic variation in human personality: Testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Behavior-Genetics-Association, Edinburgh Scotland, Jun 22-25, 2012. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.

Maintenance of genetic variation in human personality: Testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding

2012

Journal Article

Confusion in the science of evolution and orgasm: a reply to Wallen, Myers and Lloyd

Zietsch, Brendan P. and Santtila, Pekka (2012). Confusion in the science of evolution and orgasm: a reply to Wallen, Myers and Lloyd. Animal Behaviour, 84 (5), E5-E7. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.08.016

Confusion in the science of evolution and orgasm: a reply to Wallen, Myers and Lloyd

2012

Journal Article

Evidence for genetic variation in human mate preferences for Sexually Dimorphic Physical Traits

Verweij, Karin J. H., Burri, Andrea V. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2012). Evidence for genetic variation in human mate preferences for Sexually Dimorphic Physical Traits. Plos One, 7 (11 Article No.e49294) e49294, e49294-1-e49294-4. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049294

Evidence for genetic variation in human mate preferences for Sexually Dimorphic Physical Traits

2012

Conference Publication

Behavioural genetic analyses of mate preferences and preferred traits: Testing models of mate choice and sexual selection

Verweij, Karin, Burri, Andrea and Zietsch, Brendan (2012). Behavioural genetic analyses of mate preferences and preferred traits: Testing models of mate choice and sexual selection. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Behavior-Genetics-Association, Edinburgh Scotland, Jun 22-25, 2012. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.

Behavioural genetic analyses of mate preferences and preferred traits: Testing models of mate choice and sexual selection

2012

Journal Article

Maintenance of genetic variation in human personality: testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding

Verweij, Karin J. H., Yang, Jian, Lahti, Jari, Veijola, Juha, Hintsanen, Mirka, Pulkki-Raback, Laura, Heinonen, Kati, Pouta, Anneli, Pesonen, Anu-Katriina, Widen, Elisabeth, Taanila, Anja, Isohanni, Matti, Miettunen, Jouko, Palotie, Aarno, Penke, Lars, Service, Susan K., Heath, Andrew C., Montgomery, Grant W., Raitakari, Olli, Kahonen, Mika, Viikari, Jorma, Raikkonen, Katri, Eriksson, Johan G., Keltikangas-Jarvinen, Liisa, Lehtimaki, Terho, Martin, Nicholas G., Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta, Visscher, Peter M., Keller, Matthew C. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2012). Maintenance of genetic variation in human personality: testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding. Evolution, 66 (10), 3238-3251. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2012.01679.x

Maintenance of genetic variation in human personality: testing evolutionary models by estimating heritability due to common causal variants and investigating the effect of distant inbreeding

2012

Journal Article

Heritability of preferences for multiple cues of mate quality in humans

Zietsch, Brendan P., Verweij, Karin J. H. and Burri, Andrea V. (2012). Heritability of preferences for multiple cues of mate quality in humans. Evolution, 66 (6), 1762-1772. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01546.x

Heritability of preferences for multiple cues of mate quality in humans

Past funding

  • 2017 - 2023
    Analysis of the drivers and constraints of romantic partner choice
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Developing novel individual-difference measures of human brain structure: Masculinity/femininity and deviation-from-average
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Investigating the evolution of human traits and the maintenance of heritable individual differences
    ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.1 FTE School of Psychology
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    The evolutionary behaviour genetics of human mate preferences, mate choices, and mating strategies
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Brendan Zietsch is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Evolution of Beneficial Misperceptions of Objective Reality Within Social Environments

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jonathan Redshaw

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applying Advanced Statistical and Computational Methods to Attractiveness Research

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Bulmer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Predictors of perceived versus actual sexual interest

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Sewell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Desirable Dad Hypothesis: An Ultimate Evolutionary Account of Male Same-Sex Attraction

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Smerdon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applying advanced statistical and computational methods to attractiveness research

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Bulmer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evolutionary Psychology and Mate Choice: Advanced Methodological Approaches

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Sewell

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Norm Maintenance Behaviour: Strong Reciprocity as a Maintenance Mechanism

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr David Smerdon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applying Advanced Statistical and Computational Methods to Attractiveness Research

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Michael Bulmer

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Impact of Intergroup Violence on the Evolution of Human Psychology

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Thomas Suddendorf

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Brendan Zietsch directly for media enquiries about:

  • disgust sensitivity
  • female orgasm
  • mate choice
  • mate preferences
  • Personality
  • sexual dimorphism

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