Dr. Paul Joseph Watson
Adjunct Associate Professor
Evolutionary Behavioral Ecology & Evolutionary Psychology
Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA (1991–present)
Website: drpjwatson.org |
Instagram: @drpjwatson |
Cell: 505-681-3391
BA, Zoology, High Honors, University of Montana, Missoula, MT – 1981
BA, Botany, High Honors, University of Montana, Missoula, MT – 1981
PhD, Biology, Section of Neurobiology & Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY – 1988
Major: Behavioral Biology (Drs. Stephen T. Emlen and Paul W. Sherman, co-chairs)
Minors: Ecological Genetics (Dr. Thomas Eisner), Bioorganic Chemistry (Dr. Jerrold Meinwald), Neurobiology (Dr. Ronald Harris-Warrick)
Doctoral Thesis: The Adaptive Functions of Sequential Polyandry in the Spider Linyphia (=Nerine) litigiosa (Linyphiidae)
Evolutionary ecology of sexual strategies and social behavior in animals and humans. Evolution of religiosity. Adaptationist perspectives on psychological pain, especially unipolar depression. Use of evolutionary psychology as an objectifying influence to promote self-awareness, prosociality, biophilia, and compassion. Exploring how evolutionary perspectives may help discover developmental potential in humans.
Postdoctoral Awards
Postdoc #1 – NSF Environmental Biology (1988–89, 24 months awarded, reduced to one year): University of New Mexico with Dr. Randy Thornhill. Also worked with Dr. Oswald Baca on culturing and detecting rickettsia in spider immune cells.
Postdoc #2 – NSF/NATO Fellowship (1989–90, 16 months): University of Oxford with Dr. W.D. Hamilton; also trained at Oxford’s NERC Institute of Virology studying spider rickettsial disease relevant to mating system evolution.
Research Grants
Much of my research has been self-funded, with strong support from my wife, Maria O’Brien, whom I met at Flathead Biological Station in 1985, as well as other private sources.
I currently serve on three graduate committees across the Biology and Psychology departments at UNM and participate in Dr. Kelly Miller’s lab group.
The Evolution of Religiosity and Human Coalitional Psychology.
An upper-division/graduate seminar (3 credits), cross-listed in Biology, Psychology, Religious Studies, and Peace Studies. Taught regularly since 1990. The 17th edition is scheduled for Spring 2026.
Field Studies in the Evolution of Animal Behavior.
Last taught Summer 2025 at Flathead Lake Biological Station. The course emphasizes practical research and hypothesis-driven fieldwork. In 2026, I’m still accepting independent study students for summer sessions at FLBS.
In its 4- and 8-week versions, this course trains students in data collection, Darwinian theory, hypothesis testing, and writing. Students in the 4-week version may extend for 2 weeks to earn independent study credit.
The Evolution of Depression.
Last taught Fall 2015. Seminar critically examines adaptationist models of unipolar depression, including my “Social Navigation / Niche Change” hypothesis. Planned expansion into a large-enrollment course and book project.
My courses emphasize deep understanding of modern Darwinism (including the “second Darwinian revolution” and the “extended synthesis”), critical engagement with evolutionary ideas, personal self-observation, collaboration, and clear writing.
I regularly give invited public talks (e.g., OASIS, NM Center for Science and Reason) and guest lectures (e.g., Dr. Donna Ray’s Theories of Religion, REL 452). I’ve discussed unipolar depression on Joe Alcock’s Evo Med podcast and presented at ISEMPH 2018. Most recently, I delivered five hours of lectures on Sierra dome spiders in Dr. Kelly Miller’s "Animal Sexual Strategies" course and gave a guest talk in Dr. Tania Reynolds’s “Evolutionary Psychology and Social Issues” seminar.
I’ve taught more than 22 upper-division and graduate seminars since 1991 on evolutionary behavioral ecology, often with Dr. Randy Thornhill or Dr. Steven Gangestad.
Field Studies in Animal Behavior
8-week intensive course at Flathead Lake Biological Station for undergrads and early grads. Focus on Darwinian field methods, quantitative hypothesis testing, and scientific writing. Taught ~8 times. Also covered local species beyond the Sierra dome.
Evolutionary Psychology and Spirituality
Presented in contemplative groups (e.g., Gurdjieff Foundation in NY, London, NM), using evolutionary psych as a tool for inner self-objectivity and inquiry.
The Evolution of Human Sexuality
Covered for Dr. Thornhill in the early 1990s. Large lecture format; I attended this course often as a participant and later served as substitute lecturer.
Evolutionary Psychology and Psychotherapy Workshops
~5 total, co-led with Gestalt therapist John D. Wymore. Delivered at Esalen and elsewhere. Designed for mental health professionals to engage with evolutionary psychology in clinical work.
Ongoing field and lab studies of the Sierra dome spider sexual selection system at Flathead Lake Biological Station. Current foci:
Human lab research tests the Parasite Stress Hypothesis vs. my Informational Boundaries Hypothesis for religiosity using data from 537 subjects. Developing a novel evolutionary explanation for the placebo effect based on honest signaling and commitment theory — with implications for compassionate care.
I enjoy long-term, in-depth projects in evolutionary behavioral ecology. I was trained to prioritize impact over volume — and most of the papers below reflect that "slow science" philosophy.
Dr. Watson atop the FJ60 watchtower: a reflective moment while observing a live-trapping operation of Columbian ground squirrels (2018). Captured individuals were used in an elaborate soft release program to restore the Flathead Lake Biostation's population, extirpated by a bloodthirsty family of mink in the early 2000's. The restoration effort was successful, with new pup's of several females emerging in the spring of 2019. Come cheer on the ground squirrels! Experience the joy of giving a pup their first cherry.