Most United States presidents are known for political or personal events in which they have been involved. However, few people know former President Calvin Coolidge, whose name is linked to an aspect of sexuality. It is said that, during a visit to a poultry farm, Mrs. Coolidge asked the farmer how she could produce so many eggs with so few roosters. The breeder proudly explained that his roosters mated dozens of times a day, to which the first lady commented out loud, “Maybe I should tell Mr. Coolidge.” Upon hearing the comment, the president asked the breeder if the roosters always mated with the same hen, to which he received a negative response. “Perhaps I should tell Mrs. Coolidge,” the president then responded.
In this Psychology-Online article we will explain What is the Coolidge effect and how to avoid it.
What is the Coolidge effect
The Coolidge effect, named after the 30th president of the United States, has nothing to do with workplace relations, economics, or leadership, but with an aspect of sexual behavior. Specifically, it refers to the phenomenon present in many animal species consisting of males exhausted after mating experience a renewed interest in sex if they have a new female at their disposal.
In technical terms, males show a shorter refractory period if a new partner is introduced, that is, the time between one mating and another is shorter.
Origin of the Coolidge effect
The Coolidge effect was observed in the 1960s in an experiment conducted by scientists at the University of California. During the investigation, some psychologists working with mice introduced a female into the cage of a male who had long been prevented from copulating. The male mouse mounted the female and repeated the act several times until apparently collapsing from sexual exhaustion.
The surprise appeared when The psychologists introduced a new female into the cage. At that point, the male again had relations with the female mouse repeatedly until, once again, he was exhausted. However, when a third female was introduced into the cage, the previous situation was repeated.
This experiment is a demonstration of the powerful effect of novelty on sexual attraction and performance. Although the Coolidge effect is more consistent in males, this phenomenon has produced similar results in females, although to smaller degrees. This fact was demonstrated by the team of Boris Gorzalka and Gillian Lester in subsequent research in which they developed a similar model with hamsters instead of mice.
How the Coolidge effect influences relationships
The Coolidge effect describes in a symbolic way the effect of novelty in the field of seduction and attraction. In this case, the seducer is attracted to novelty and this, in turn, generates novelty for the partner, therefore, the “novelty effect” appears stronger than the “habit effect on the partner.” On a biological level, the “novelty” effect in many animal species produces a rapid increase in testosterone and in males when faced with a new female to “conquer”:
Seduction is an adventure capable of following new and surprising paths. Likewise, there are always hidden corners to discover and explore, which is why a person coming from abroad can exert a particular attraction, since it represents an unknown world, capable of exciting fantasy and imagination. It is the famous charm of the exotic that increases curiosity, both due to biological and cultural differences.
As a result, the feeling of novelty is a multiplier of attraction and an excellent signal to understand the pattern of seduction. As long as the seducer makes her partner feel “new,” passion will fuel your relationship. However, when routine, boredom and indifference dominate the relationship, it could mean the end of attraction and seduction. In the following article you will find.
How to avoid the Coolidge effect in your relationship
The Coolidge effect refers only to the physiological component of sexuality, that is, sexual behavior. A caged mouse has no interest in sexual activity beyond reproduction. Fortunately, we are not caged rats or presidential chickens. For human beings, on the other hand, sex is another way of relating in which our fears, desires, expectations, needs for confirmation or closeness, as well as protection and dedication, among other factors, can intervene.
Is there a way to avoid the Coolidge effect? Our partner is a person with whom we have spent a lot of time, so we know their habits and can predict their reactions. On a sexual level, we know his body, what he likes and what he doesn’t. If a couple gets bored, it may be because they only show themselves in the most superficial layers, or because they have lost the desire to experiment. For this reason, one of the most effective ways to prevent your partner from feeling bored is ask yourself if you are taking the other person for granted and begin to change the dialogue to discover what you really think, feel, desire, fear.
Another way to avoid the Coolidge effect in your relationship is to. The feeling of security in the couple is very good, but repeating the same thing day after day does not favor discovery and can cause stagnation in the relationship.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Anolli, L. (2014). The seduction. Rome: Editori Laterza.
- Giordano, C. (2018). Yesesso with what stesso partner? Che noia! L’effetto Coolidge e come to avoid it. Retrieved from: https://www.giordanochristian.com/2018/06/04/sesso-con-lo-stesso-partner-e-addio-eccitazione-leffetto-coolidge-e-come-evitarlo/
- Pinel, J., Barnes, J. (2022). Psychobiology. Undecisima edition. Milan: Edra.