Amy Jacobson

CV

Download This Page in a Word Doc Format

Amy Jacobson Ph.D.

117 Agress Road
Millstone Township, NJ 08510
(908) 415-3340
amyjacobsonphd@gmail.com

EDUCATION

  • 2005 Ph.D. Evolutionary Anthropology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Dissertation: The Effect of Fluctuating Asymmetry and Attractiveness on Self-Perception, Self-Deception and Preferences for Others in Rural Jamaica Academic Advisor: Robert Trivers
  • 1996 M.A. Physical Anthropology, Arizona State University Thesis: Evaluating Psychological Wellness in Captive Chimpanzees Academic Advisor: Leanne Nash
  • 1991 B.A. Anthropology and Zoology, State University of New York College at Oswego

RESEARCH POSITIONS

  • 2016 – Present
    Research Director, Biosocial Research Foundation
  • 2010 – Present
    Psychtable.org, Senior Advisor (www.PsychTable.org)
  • 1997 – Present
    Project Manager, Jamaican Symmetry Project (JSP), Robert Trivers
  • 2001 – 2004
    Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Facial Symmetry Project, H. Dieter Steklis
  • 2001 – 2004
    Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Poaching Database Project, H. Dieter Steklis
  • 2000 – 2001
    Human Sex Ratio Project, Lionel Tiger
  • 1994 – 1996
    Research Department, Primate Foundation of Arizona (Pan Troglodytes)
  • 1992 – 1993
    Volunteer, Duke University Primate Center (22 Prosimian species)

PUBLICATIONS

  • Jacobson, A., Trivers, RL and Palestis, B. 2019  Number of friends and self-perception among Jamaican children:  the role of attractiveness and fluctuating asymmetry.  Journal of BioSocial Science, 1-14.   doi:10.1017/S0021932019000373
  • Jacobson, A. 2017. Parental Investment and Sexual Selection. In T. Shackelford and V. Weekes-Shackelford (eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Sciences. Springer 1/13 pp. 1-2. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3584-1
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. Robert Trivers. In T. Shackelford and V. Weekes-Shackelford (eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Sciences. Springer. 12/21 pp. 1-9. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1867-1
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. Reciprocal Altruism. In T. Shackelford and V. Weekes-Shackelford (eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Sciences. Springer 11/3 pp. 1-2. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1868-1
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. Parent Offspring Conflict. In T. Shackelford and V. Weekes-Shackelford (eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Sciences. Springer 12/5 pp. 1-3. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1869-1
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. Self-Deception. In T. Shackelford and V. Weekes-Shackelford (eds.) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Sciences. Springer 11/29 pp. 1-3. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1870-1)
  • Williams, M.N. and Jacobson, A. 2016. Effect of Copulins on rating of Female Attractiveness, Mate Guarding, and Self-Perceived Sexual Desirability. Evolutionary Psychology 14(2):1-8. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474704916643328
  • Brown, W.M., Cronk, L., Grochow, K., Jacobson, A., Liu C. K., Popovic, Z , Trivers, R. 2013. Retraction: Dance Reveals Symmetry Especially in Young Men. Nature 504.
  • Trivers, R, Manning, J., Jacobson, A. 2006. A Longitudinal Study of Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Other Finger Ratios in Jamaican Children. Hormones and Behavior 49 :150-156. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16040033
  • Brown, W.M., Cronk, L., Grochow, K., Jacobson, A., Liu C. K., Popovic, Z , Trivers, R. 2005. Dance Reveals Symmetry Especially in Young Men. Nature 438:7071 pp. 1148-1150.
  • Penton-Voak, I.S., Jacobson A., Trivers, R. 2004. Populational Differences in Attractiveness Judgments of Male and Female Faces: Comparing British and Jamaican Samples. Evolution and Human Behavior 25(6):355-370. http://www.ehbonline.org/article/S1090-5138(04)00051-0/fulltext
  • Jacobson, A.S. and L.T. Nash 1995. Behavioral Thermoregulation in a Captive Population of Ring-Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta). American Journal of Primatology 36(2):130. Abstract of Poster Presented at the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

  • Jacobson, A. 2016. The Evolutionary Biology of Mental Illness. Department of Psychology, Airlangga University, Surabaya ,Indonesia.
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. The Evolutionary Biology of Violence and Aggression. Department of Political Science, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia.
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. The Evolutionary Biology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Department of Anthropology, Airlangga University, Surabaya Indonesia.
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. The Evolutionary Biology of Human Belief Systems. Department of Anthropology, Airlangga University, Surabaya Indonesia.
  • Jacobson, A. 2016. Forensic Anthropology. Professional Development Series – Monmouth University School of Nursing, West Longbranch NJ.
  • Williams, M. and A. Jacobson 2015. The Effect of Copulin on Male Ratings of Female Attractiveness, Mate-Guarding Tendencies, Intrasexual Aggression, Mating Motivation and Perceived Desirability. North East Evolutionary Psychology Annual Conference in Boston, MA. April 9-11.
  • Jacobson, A. Are God and Science Compatible? Featured speaker for debate, sponsored by Rutgers Ratio Christi April 16, 2013.
  • Feinberg, D. R. and A. Jacobson 2002. Human Mate Choice and Female Preferences for Male Voices: Correlations with 2D:4D and Sexual Behavior. Presented at the 2002 Human Behavior and Evolution Society meeting, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.
  • Jacobson, A. and R. L. Trivers 2002. Attractiveness and Potential as a Friend in Jamaican Children as a Function of Bodily Symmetry of Chooser and Chosen. Presented at the Human Behavior and Evolution Society meeting, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ.
  • Feinberg, D. and A. Jacobson 2001. Human Mate Choice and Female Preferences for Voices: Correlations with Symmetry and Sexual Behavior. Presentation given at the 2001 Human Behavior and Evolution Society meeting, University College, London, England.
  • Penton-Voak, I. and A. Jacobson 2001. Cross-Cultural Differences in Attractiveness Judgments of Male Faces: a Rural Jamaican Sample. Presentation given at the 2001 Human Behavior and Evolution Society meeting, University College, London, England.

FILM PROJECTS

  • Wild Life: Biopic on Robert Trivers. Susan Kucera. Due out in 2018. Trailer: https://vimeo.com/147398514
  • 12th Hour. Documentary on the Future of the Human Species. Susan Kucera, Narrated by Jeff Bridges. Due out 2018. Trailer: http://12thhourdoc.com
  • Living in the Future’s Past. Examining the impact Humans have had on the Planet. Jeff Bridges & Susan Kucera. Due out 2018. Trailer: https://www.livinginthefuturespastfilm.com

TEACHING EXPEREINCE, AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • Visiting Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
    • December 2016
      • Delivered several large public lectures on Evolutionary Biology and Behavior
      • Edited/proofed articles in preparation for submission to major international journals
      • Guest lectured in Anthropology, Psychology and Anatomy courses
      • Met with faculty, students, LGBT and Womens rights activists
      • Served on academic discussion panels on gender/sexuality and domestic abuse
      • Participated in collection of anthropomorphic measurement data from children
  • Part-Time Lecturer, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ 2015 Fall 102:01 Cultural Anthropology 2016 Spring 102:01 Cultural Anthropology 102:03 Cultural Anthropology
  • Annual Appointment, Anthropology Department, Rutgers, The State University of NJ 2011 Spring 212: Life of Primates 310: Human Aggression 348: Primatology Socioecology 2010 Fall 204: Social Evolution 350: Primatology & Human Evolution
  • Part-Time Lecturer, Rutgers, The State University of NJ 2016 Spring 310: Human Aggression 2015 Summer 204: Social Evolution 2015 Spring 204: Social Evolution 2014 Fall 310: Human Aggression 2014 Spring 310: Human Aggression 2012 Spring 204: Social Evolution 2011 Fall 204: Social Evolution 2002 Fall 204: Social Evolution 2001 Spring 204: Social Evolution 2001 Spring 348: Primate Socioecology 2000 Summer 204: Social Evolution 1998 Summer 350: Primatology & Human Evolution
  • Instructor, Writing Program, Rutgers, The State University of NJ 2002 Fall English 101: Expository Writing section PR English 101: Expository Writing section QA
  • Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, Rutgers, The State University of NJ 2004 Spring 204: Social Evolution, Robert Trivers 2003 Fall 204: Social Evolution, Lee Cronk 2002 Spring 293/294: Anthropology of Fun and Games (7 weeks), Lionel Tiger Social Uses of Food (7 weeks), Lionel Tiger 2000 Fall 204: Social Evolution, Lee Cronk 1999 Spring 204: Social Evolution, Robert Trivers 1998 Spring 212: Survey of Living Primates, H. Dieter Steklis 1998 Fall 102: Intro to Human Evolution, Robert Blumenschine
  • Teaching Assistant, Department of Anthropology, Arizona State University 1995 Spring 101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 1994 Fall 101: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
  • Teaching Awards, Rutgers The State University of NJ 2001‑2002 Faculty of Arts & Sciences – Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student 2002 Graduate School New Brunswick – Graduate Student Teaching Award
  • Certifications 2001 Spring Certificate in Teaching Higher Education – Graduate School New Brunswick

NOTABLE UNDERGRADUATE HONOR STUDENTS

  • Megan Williams Thesis: Effects on Males of Exposure to Copulin – Highest Honors
    Presented at North Eastern Evolutionary Psychology Society April 2015
    Full scholarship to University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychology Ph.D. Program
  • Niruban Balachandran Thesis: Physical Attractiveness Bias in Hiring Decisions – Highest Honors
    Masters, London School of Economics
    Founder and President, Teambuilders International Ltd. Indonesia
    Projects Monitoring Officer, World Bank – Social, Urban, Rural & Global Practice
    Ph.D. Program in International Relations, Harvard University
  • David Feinberg Thesis: Female Choice for Male Vocal Qualities & Facial Symmetry – Highest Honors
    Fieldwork in Jamaica
    Presented at Human Behavior and Evolution Conference London 2001
    Ph.D., St. Andrews University Scotland
    Postdoctoral Position, Harvard University
    Professor, McMaster University
  • Mirit Cohen Thesis: Yerkes Primate Center Chimpanzee Facial Expression Project – Highest Honors
    Fieldwork in Jamaica
    Measurement of RJSP finger bones from X-rays for FA and 2D:4D ratio
    Bronx Zoo gorilla behavior project
    Masters, Stanford University
  • Kathlyn Weightman Thesis: Philadelphia Zoo Orangutan and Gibbon use of space project
  • Alison Milroy Thesis: Preferences for morphed faces in an East African sample Effect of cosmetics on female facial symmetry and attractiveness

DEPARTMENTAL/PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

  • 2015 Organizing Committee, Northeastern Evolutionary Psychology Society Meeting
  • 1998‑2003 Graduate student advisor to Undergraduate Anthropology Club
  • 1997‑2002 Rutgers Anthropology Graduate Student Association Executive Committee
  • 1998‑2002 Liaison to Rutgers Graduate School Teaching Assistant Project (TAP)
  • 2002 Organizing Committee, Human Behavior and Evolution Society Meeting
  • 2001 Rutgers High School Outreach – Bronx Zoo primate field trip curriculum
  • 1999 Co – Editor, Graduate Student Journal – Crosscurrents
  • 1999 Co-Organizer, Annual Crosscurrents conference
  • 1995 Organizing Committee, American Society of Primatology Annual Meeting