Research Interests: 

• Psychoneuroendocrinology effects of stress on sexual behavior, risk-taking, and impulsive behavior
• Life history theory
• Evolutionary psychology and evolutionary theory
• Evolutionary function of the limbic system
• Human mating strategies and preferences
• Human sexuality
• Stress and decision making
• Anxiety
• Ovulation cues
• Abnormal psychology
• Effects of glucocorticoids on retrieval of emotional memories

Selected Publications: 

• Kraft V., Figueredo A.J. (2020) Local Sex Ratio. In: Shackelford T., Weekes-Shackelford V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham
• Kraft V., Jacobs W.J. (2019) Differential Reproductive Success. In: Shackelford T., Weekes-Shackelford V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham
• Kraft V. (2019) Fixed Action Patterns. In: Shackelford T., Weekes-Shackelford V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham
• Kraft, V. & Howell, S.R. (May, 2017). Similarity of the Big 5 Personality Traits of Individuals to those of their Partners and Best Friends. Presented at the 29th meeting of the Association of Psychological Science. Boston, MA. 

Courses Taught: 

• PSY 340 - Introduction to Cognitive Development (2021)
• PSY 364 - Human Sexuality (2020)
• PSY 381 - Abnormal Psychology (2021)

Updated: 07/19/22