Has the Coolidge effect sounded familiar to you? The origin of this term comes from the former president of the United States Calvin Coolidgespecifically from an anecdote that occurred on a chicken farm with his wife. The Coolidge effect is closely related to sexuality, attraction and sex.
During a visit to a chicken farm, the First Lady asked how it was possible for them to lay so many eggs when there were so few roosters. Explaining that this was because the male copulates several times a day, the First Lady referred to her sex life with her husband.
The President then asked if the rooster reproduced with different females and not just one, and so it did, to which President Coolidge replied, «Perhaps you should suggest that to Mrs. Coolidge.»
What is the Coolidge effect?
He Coolidge effect refers to the sexual need to mate with different females that appears in males of many animal species. In general terms, it refers to the attraction that someone new provokes.
As scientific experiments conducted at the University of California have shown, this is the case in animals, after carrying out tests with mice in which, despite the exhaustion of the animal after sexual intercourse, the animals continued to copulate when a new female entered the cage.
The dopamine release triggered by a new female It made him regain his sexual appetite and continue being sexually active until he was exhausted again, and so on.
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How does it affect couples?
All this makes us wonder if, as in any animal species, the Coolidge effect also occurs in humans. If so, is this a possible 'explanation' for the infidelities?
It should be noted that, unlike other species, The human species is not only moved by sexual instinctbut they take into account many more factors and links.
Having a partner means that You connect with that person on a physical, psychological, emotional level, You don't just take into account sexual satisfaction, but there are many other things that attract you to your partner (way of seeing things, attitude, personality…).
Although it is true that the law of attraction of 'the new' referred to by the Coolidge effect also acts on humans, the answer to the question of whether this is a possible explanation for infidelity is no.
As we have said, when building a relationship we take into account many factors, so that although your partner may feel attracted to another person, it is his decision to cross that line or not, the has the ability to reason, can decide.
How to avoid it?
If you have been in a relationship for a long time, it is inevitable that you will fall into the monotonythis can also cause it to happen in the sexual sphere. To avoid monotony and the Coolidge effect you must be able try new thingsto maintain attraction, not to fall into a routine and loss of desire. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening.
- Maintain good communicationCommunication in a couple is very important, you must have enough confidence to tell the other person what you feel. Only then will you be able to tackle and solve it and grow as a couple.
- Avoid falling into monotonyIt is very common, after a while, to fall into monotony, this can make you get bored of the relationship or the couple and harm your relationship, especially if there is no good communication. To avoid this, the best thing is to break with the routine, make new plans from time to time, innovate, take risks, this will keep the energy and passion in your relationship.
- Listen to your partnerCommunication is as good as listening to what your partner has to say, how he or she feels, what he or she likes, what he or she doesn't like…
- Sexual spontaneityIn the sexual field it is good to be spontaneous, this will keep desire and sexual attraction active.
- Have a healthy relationshipAs we have said throughout the article, people take into account many factors that affect us about a person, so maintaining a healthy relationship will benefit its good development.
- Go to couples therapy. To strengthen the relationship, fix problems that have arisen, etc., going to couples therapy is the best option to maintain a relationship as healthy as possible or to achieve it. The help of a psychologist It will help you improve your relationship by opening up to yourselves, both personally and as a couple, and strengthening your bond.
At we have an excellent team of psychologists who can help you improve your relationship. Remember that you don't have to be going through a bad time to go to couples therapy, any time is good to strengthen your relationship. Contact us and make an appointment for an online session, the first briefing is free.