Martin Daly is best known for his foundational work in evolutionary psychology, particularly his research on the evolutionary roots of human violence, homicide, and family conflict. Alongside his wife and collaborator Margo Wilson, he is famous for identifying the 'Cinderella effect'—the higher risk of abuse faced by stepchildren compared to biological children. He is also recognized for his work on male sexual proprietariness and its link to male violence against women. His influential books, including 'Homicide' and 'The Truth About Cinderella,' are considered classics in the field.

Yes, Martin Daly is still alive as of 2026. He was born on November 15, 1944. He is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at McMaster University in Canada. He continues to be an active voice in evolutionary psychology, publishing and commenting on topics such as economic inequality and its psychological effects.

The Cinderella effect is a term in evolutionary psychology that describes the higher incidence of child abuse and mistreatment by stepparents compared to biological parents. Martin Daly, along with his late wife Margo Wilson, is one of the primary researchers associated with this concept. Through their extensive analysis of homicide and abuse data, they provided compelling evidence that evolutionary pressures have shaped parental investment, leading to a greater risk of violence towards genetically unrelated children, a finding that has had a major impact on both psychology and social policy.

Martin Daly has authored and co-authored several seminal books in evolutionary psychology. His most notable works include 'Homicide' (1988), a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of lethal violence, and 'The Truth About Cinderella: A Darwinian View of Parental Love' (1998), which explores the evolutionary logic behind parental care and the Cinderella effect. He also wrote 'Sex, Evolution, and Behaviour' (1978) and more recently 'Killing the Competition: Economic Inequality and Homicide' (2016), which examines the link between economic disparity and violent crime. All but his last book were co-authored with his wife and collaborator, Margo Wilson.

The 'male sexual proprietariness' theory, developed by Martin Daly and Margo Wilson, is a cornerstone of their research on violence. It posits that male jealousy and violence against female partners can be understood as an evolutionary adaptation. According to this theory, men have evolved a psychology geared towards controlling the sexuality of their partners to ensure paternity certainty, which is crucial for reproductive success. This proprietariness can manifest in coercive and violent behaviors when a man perceives a threat to his exclusive sexual access, helping to explain a significant portion of intimate partner violence.

Martin Daly's academic journey began at McGill University for his undergraduate studies. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Toronto, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1971. His doctoral thesis, supervised by Jerry A. Hogan, was titled 'Behavioural development, early experiences, and maternal behaviour in golden hamsters'. He has spent the majority of his academic career at McMaster University in Canada, where he is now an Emeritus Professor. His background in animal behavior and comparative psychology laid the foundation for his later work on human evolutionary psychology.

Martin Daly has received numerous accolades recognizing his significant contributions to science. In 1998, he was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, one of the country's highest academic honors. He has also been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, the leading professional organization for evolutionary psychology. These awards reflect his status as a central and influential figure in the field, whose research has fundamentally shaped the understanding of human behavior from an evolutionary perspective.

Martin Daly is considered a foundational figure and one of the main architects of modern evolutionary psychology. His work, particularly in collaboration with Margo Wilson, helped establish the discipline as a rigorous scientific field. They were pioneers in applying evolutionary theory to understand complex human social behaviors like homicide, violence, and parental care. As former editors-in-chief of the flagship journal 'Evolution and Human Behavior' and presidents of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society, they played a crucial role in shaping the field's direction and academic legitimacy.