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

140 works between 2005 and 2026
All (140) Journal Article (116) Other Outputs (2) Conference Publication (16) Book Chapter (6)

101 - 120 of 140 works

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

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

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

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

2012

Journal Article

No association of candidate genes with cannabis use in a large sample of Australian twin families

Verweij, Karin J. H., Zietsch, Brendan P., Liu, Jimmy Z., Medland, Sarah E., Lynskey, Michael T., Madden, Pamela A. F., Agrawal, Arpana, Montgomery, Grant W., Heath, Andrew C. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2012). No association of candidate genes with cannabis use in a large sample of Australian twin families. Addiction Biology, 17 (3), 687-690. doi: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2011.00320.x

No association of candidate genes with cannabis use in a large sample of Australian twin families

2012

Journal Article

Do shared etiological factors contribute to the relationship between sexual orientation and depression?

Zietsch, B. P., Verweij, K. J. H., Heath, A. C., Madden, P. A. F., Martin, N. G., Nelson, E. C. and Lynskey, M. T. (2012). Do shared etiological factors contribute to the relationship between sexual orientation and depression?. Psychological Medicine, 42 (3), 521-532. doi: 10.1017/S0033291711001577

Do shared etiological factors contribute to the relationship between sexual orientation and depression?

2012

Book Chapter

Estimating heritability from twin studies

Verweij, Karin J. H., Mosing, Miriam A., Zietsch, Brendan P. and Medland, Sarah E. (2012). Estimating heritability from twin studies. Statistical human genetics: methods and protocols. (pp. 151-170) edited by Robert C. Elston, Jaya M. Satagopan and Shuying Sun. New York, United States: Humana Press. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-555-8_9

Estimating heritability from twin studies

2011

Journal Article

Experimental evidence that women's mate preferences are directly influenced by cues of pathogen prevalence and resource scarcity

Lee, Anthony J. and Zietsch, Brendan P. (2011). Experimental evidence that women's mate preferences are directly influenced by cues of pathogen prevalence and resource scarcity. Biology Letters, 7 (6), 892-895. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0454

Experimental evidence that women's mate preferences are directly influenced by cues of pathogen prevalence and resource scarcity

2011

Conference Publication

The genetic etiology of cannabis use

Verweij, Karin, Medland, Sarah, Lynskey, Michael, Zietsch, Brendan, Heath, Andrew, Boomsma, Dorret and Martin, Nicholas G. (2011). The genetic etiology of cannabis use. 41st Annual Meeting of the Behaviour-Genetics-Association, Newport Ri, Jun 06-09, 2011. NEW YORK: SPRINGER.

The genetic etiology of cannabis use

2011

Journal Article

Genetic analysis of orgasmic function in twins and siblings does not support the by-product theory of female orgasm

Zietsch, Brendan P. and Santtila, Pekka (2011). Genetic analysis of orgasmic function in twins and siblings does not support the by-product theory of female orgasm. Animal Behaviour, 82 (5), 1097-1101. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.08.002

Genetic analysis of orgasmic function in twins and siblings does not support the by-product theory of female orgasm

2011

Journal Article

Female orgasm rates are largely independent of other traits: Implications for "female orgasmic disorder" and evolutionary theories of orgasm

Zietsch, Brendan P., Miller, Geoffrey F., Bailey, J. Michael and Martin, Nicholas G. (2011). Female orgasm rates are largely independent of other traits: Implications for "female orgasmic disorder" and evolutionary theories of orgasm. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8 (8), 2305-2316. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02300.x

Female orgasm rates are largely independent of other traits: Implications for "female orgasmic disorder" and evolutionary theories of orgasm

2011

Journal Article

Variation in human mate choice: Simultaneously investigating heritability, parental influence, sexual imprinting, and assortative mating

Zietsch, Brendan P., Verweij, Karin J. H., Heath, Andrew C. and Martin, Nicholas G. (2011). Variation in human mate choice: Simultaneously investigating heritability, parental influence, sexual imprinting, and assortative mating. The American Naturalist, 177 (5), 605-616. doi: 10.1086/659629

Variation in human mate choice: Simultaneously investigating heritability, parental influence, sexual imprinting, and assortative mating

2011

Journal Article

Predicting sensation seeking from dopamine genes: Use and misuse of genetic prediction

Powell, Joseph E. and Zietsch, Brendan P (2011). Predicting sensation seeking from dopamine genes: Use and misuse of genetic prediction. Psychological Science, 22 (3), 413-415. doi: 10.1177/0956797610397669

Predicting sensation seeking from dopamine genes: Use and misuse of genetic prediction

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

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

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor David Smerdon

  • 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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au