Norbert Meskó
Prof. Norbert Meskó PhD. is a full professor at the Institute of Psychology at the University of Pécs, conducting outstanding research at the intersection of evolutionary psychology and sexual psychology. His primary scientific interests include human mate selection, physical attractiveness, and sexual behavior, with a particular focus on sexual strategies, emotional and relationship dynamics, as well as individual and cultural differences in sexuality.
His research is grounded in the theories of evolutionary psychology and utilizes the most advanced methods of behavioral research to explore how social, cultural, and biological factors influence individuals’ sexual and relationship-related decisions. He pays special attention to the connections between sexual motivation, emotional regulation, and dyadic coping, as well as how these factors change across age and sex.
He has contributed to the development and validation of numerous measurement tools widely used in psychological research. These include questionnaires assessing sexual motivation (YSEX?-HSF, YSEX?-15H), the Hungarian adaptation of the Faking Orgasm Scale for Women (FOS), questionnaires measuring openness to sugar relationships (ASR-YWMS, ASR-QMWS), and the Hungarian versions of love and relationship attitude scales (LAS-HSF, STLS).
Throughout his scientific work, he places great emphasis on balancing theoretical and applied approaches. His research findings contribute not only to fundamental research but also have significant implications for sexual health, relationship counseling, and education. He collaborates closely with both national and international partners, including institutions such as the Institute of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Pécs, the University of Wrocław in Poland, and the University of Alabama in the United States.
His overarching goal is to deepen the understanding of human sexuality and relationship dynamics and to publish scientific results that are valuable both to the academic community and to the broader society. In addition to his research activities, he teaches courses on research methodology, the psychology of human sexuality, and the psychology of love, providing students with insights into the latest scientific findings and research methods.
His research is grounded in the theories of evolutionary psychology and utilizes the most advanced methods of behavioral research to explore how social, cultural, and biological factors influence individuals’ sexual and relationship-related decisions. He pays special attention to the connections between sexual motivation, emotional regulation, and dyadic coping, as well as how these factors change across age and sex.
He has contributed to the development and validation of numerous measurement tools widely used in psychological research. These include questionnaires assessing sexual motivation (YSEX?-HSF, YSEX?-15H), the Hungarian adaptation of the Faking Orgasm Scale for Women (FOS), questionnaires measuring openness to sugar relationships (ASR-YWMS, ASR-QMWS), and the Hungarian versions of love and relationship attitude scales (LAS-HSF, STLS).
Throughout his scientific work, he places great emphasis on balancing theoretical and applied approaches. His research findings contribute not only to fundamental research but also have significant implications for sexual health, relationship counseling, and education. He collaborates closely with both national and international partners, including institutions such as the Institute of Behavioral Sciences at the University of Pécs, the University of Wrocław in Poland, and the University of Alabama in the United States.
His overarching goal is to deepen the understanding of human sexuality and relationship dynamics and to publish scientific results that are valuable both to the academic community and to the broader society. In addition to his research activities, he teaches courses on research methodology, the psychology of human sexuality, and the psychology of love, providing students with insights into the latest scientific findings and research methods.
Publications
2025 and under review
- Meskó, N., Csányi, E., Inhóf, O., Zsidó, N. A. (2025). Psychological drivers of faking orgasm in women: The role of emotion regulation difficulties and sexual motivations. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Csányi, E., Zsidó, A. N., Meskó, N. (2025). Mate retention is a stronger predictor of faking orgasm than sociosexuality and relationship satisfaction among Hungarian women. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Meskó, N., Ehlers, J. S., Zsidó, A. N. (2025). Life history strategy and openness to „sugar relationships”. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Meskó, N., Davis, A. C., Arnocky, S., Őry, F., Burghardt, K. O., Kiss, D. R., Tololiu, K. E., Abraham, J., Bereczkei, T., Han, H. (2025). A cross-cultural examination of intrasexual competition: The cross-sectional links between mating competition, aggression, appearance enhancement, and sexuality. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Meskó, N., Putz, A., Kocsor, F. (2025). Sex- and age-specific patterns of sexual motivation in relation to emotion regulation and dyadic coping. [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Meskó, N. (2025). The Multiple Perspectives Approach to Understanding Prostitution and Sex Work [Manuscript submitted for publication].
- Swami, V., Stieger, S., Voracek, M., Aavik, T., Abdollahpour Ranjbar, H., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., Aimé, A., Akel, M., Al Halbusi, H., Alexias, G., Ali, K. F., Alp-Dal, N., Alsalhani, A. B., Álvarez-Solas, S., Amaral, A. C. S., Andrianto, S., Aspden, T., … Tran, U. S. (2025). Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. PLOS ONE, 20(1), e0313107. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0313107
2024
- Csányi, E., Basler, J., Bereczkei, T., & Meskó, N. (2024). Psychometric evaluation of the abbreviated Hungarian Faking Orgasm Scale for Women. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1513959. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1513959
- Swami, V., White, M. P., Voracek, M., Tran, U. S., Aavik, T., Abdollahpour Ranjbar, H., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., Aimé, A., Akel, M., Al Halbusi, H., Alexias, G., Ali, K. F., Alp-Dal, N., Alsalhani, A. B., Álvarez-Solas, S., Amaral, A. C. S., Andrianto, S., … Meskó., N. ... & Stieger, S. (2024). Exposure and connectedness to natural environments: An examination of the measurement invariance of the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) and Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 99, 102432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102432
- Őry, F., & Meskó, N. (2024). A Test Megbecsülése Skála átdolgozott változatának (BAS2) vizsgálata magyar nyelven, Z generációs nők körében. Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2024.00076
- Őry, F., & Meskó, N. (2024). A Tárgyiasított Testtudat Skála (OBCS) működése magyar nyelven. Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 79(1), 119-142. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2023.00056
- Csányi, E., Őry, F., & Meskó, N. (2024). A Női Színlelt Orgazmus Kérdőív magyar változata (FOS). Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 79(2), 265–294. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2023.00057
- Meskó, N., Kowal, M., Láng, A., Kocsor, F., Bandi, S. A., Putz, A., Sorokowski, P., Frederick, D. A., García, F. E., Aguilar, L. A., Studzinska, A., Tan, C.-S., Gjoneska, B., Milfont, T. L., Topcu Bulut, M., Grigoryev, D., Aavik, T., Boussena, M., Mattiassi, A. D., … Han, H. (2024). Exploring attitudes toward “Sugar relationships” across 87 countries: A global perspective on exchanges of resources for sex and companionship. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53, 811–837. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02724-1
2023
- Apostolou, M., Sullman, M., Birkás, B., Błachnio, A., Bushina, E., Calvo, F., Carrasco, M. A., Castro, F. N., David, O. A., Fidan, M., Fonseca, A., Gavreliuc, A., Holman, A. C., Jauk, E., Jonas, K., Kafetsios, K., Kito, M., König, S., Kosakowska-Berezecka, N., … Meskó, N. ... & Font-Mayolas, S. (2023). Strategies for becoming a more desirable mate: Evidence from 14 countries. Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12521
- Swami, V., Tran, U. S., Stieger, S., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., Aimé, A., Akel, M., Al Halbusi, H., Alexias, G., Ali, K. F., Alp-Dal, N., Alsalhani, A. B., Álvares-Solas, S., Amaral, A. C. S., Andrianto, S., Aspden, T., …Meskó, N. ... & Voracek, M. (2023). Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age. Body Image, 46, 449–466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.08.006
- Őry, F., Láng, A. & Meskó, N. (2023). Acceptance of cosmetic surgery in adolescents: The effects of caregiver eating messages and objectified body consciousness. Current Psychology, 42(18), 15838-15846. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02863-z
- Sorokowska, A., Kowal, M., Saluja, S., Aavik, T., Alm, C., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Batres, C., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Conroy-Beam, D., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., …Meskó, N., ...& Croy, I. (2023). Love and affectionate touch toward romantic partners all over the world. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 5497. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31502-1
- Meskó, N., & Őry, F. (2023). A szexuális rendszer működése kérdőív magyar változata (SSFS). Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 78(1), 113-134. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2023.00011
- Sorokowski, P., Kowal, M., Sternberg, R. J., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., ... Meskó, N. ... & Sorokowska, A. (2023). Modernization, collectivism, and gender equality predict love experiences in 45 countries. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 773.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26663-4
Apostolou, M., Sullman, M., Birkás, B., Błachnio, A., Bushina, E., Calvo, F., Costello, W., Dujlovic, T., Hill, T., Lajunen, T. J., Lisun, Y., Manrique-Millones, D., Manrique-Pino, O., Meskó, N., Nechtelberger, M., Ohtsubo, Y., Ollhoff, C. K., Przepiórka, A., Putz, Á., … Font-Mayolas, S. (2023). Mating Performance and Singlehood Across 14 Nations. Evolutionary Psychology, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049221150169
2022
- Meskó, N., Őry, F., Happ, Z., & Zsidó, A. N. (2022). Sex Differences in Predictors of Relationship Satisfaction: The Effects of Dyadic Coping, Love, Sexual Motivation and Having Children. Interpersona: An International Journal on Personal Relationships, 16(2), 277-294. https://doi.org/10.5964/ijpr.7217
- Meskó, N., Gyuris, P., Putz, Á., Kocsor, F., & Bereczkei, T. (2022). Evolúciós pszichológia: Miért és hogyan tanítjuk?. Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 77(3), 445-460. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2022.00033
- Meskó, N., & Zsidó, A. N. (2022). Adaptív algoritmusok a párválasztásban: A Szerelmi Attitűdök Kérdőív magyar rövid változata (LAS-HSF). Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 77(3), 385-403. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2022.00030
- Meskó, N., Zsidó, A.N., Birkás, B., Meston, C. M. & Buss, D. M. (2022). Why Hungarians Have Sex: Development and Validation of a Brief 15-Item Instrument (YSEX?-15H). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51, 4007–4022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02380-x
- Őry, F., Happ, Z., Zsidó, A. N., & Meskó, N. (2022). A Sternberg-féle szerelem kérdőív magyar változata (STLS-H). Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 77(1), 53-79. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2022.00003
- Burkova, V. N, Butovskaya, M. L., Randall, A. K,, Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M, … Meskó, N., … and Zinurova RI (2022) Factors Associated With Highest Symptoms of Anxiety During COVID-19: Cross-Cultural Study of 23 Countries. Frontiers in Psychology. 13:805586. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.805586
- Meskó, N., Szatmári, D., Láng, A., Meston, C. M. & Buss, D. M. (2022). Why Hungarians have sex (YSEX?-HSF). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51, 465–489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02072-y
2021
- Meskó, N., & Láng, A. (2021). Acceptance of cosmetic surgery among Hungarian women in a global context: The Hungarian Version of the Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS). Current Psychology, 40, 5822–5833. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-019-00519-z
- Ipolyi, D., Csányi, E., Láng, A. & Meskó, N. (2021). Attachment Avoidance Moderates the Relationship Among Acceptance of Sugar Relationships, Motivation, and Self-Esteem. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:711199. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.711199
- Meskó, N., Birkás, B. & Láng, A. (2021). Editorial: Biopsychosocial Approaches to Transactional Sex. Frontiers in Psychology, 12:729276. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.729276
- Butovskaya, M. L., Burkova, V. N., Randall, A. K., Donato, S., Fedenok, J. N., Hocker, L., K., ... Meskó, N. ... & Zinurova, R. I. (2021). Cross-Cultural Perspectives on the Role of Empathy during COVID-19’s First Wave. Sustainability, 13(13):7431. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137431
- Walter, K. V., Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., ... Meskó., N. ... & Zupančič, M. (2021). Sex differences in human mate preferences vary across sex ratios. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 288(1955), 20211115. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2021.1115
- Láng, A., Birkás, B., Zsidó, A. N., Ipolyi, D., & .Meskó, N. (2021). It Takes Two to Tango: Development, Validation, and Personality Correlates of the Acceptance of Sugar Relationships in Older Men and Women Scale (ASR-OMWS) Frontiers in Psychology, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.592138
- Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M. L., Randal, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., ... Meskó, N., ... & Zinurova, R.I. (2021). Predictors of Anxiety in the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Global Perspective: Data from 23 Countries. Sustainability, 13(7): 4017; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13074017
- Meskó, N., Zsidó, A. N., Láng, A., & Karádi, K. (2021). Sex and Relationship Differences on the Short Love Attitude Scale: Insights from the Hungarian Adaptation. Sexuality & Culture, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-021-09830-z
- Sorokowska, A., Saluja, S., Sorokowski, P., Frąckowiak, T., Karwowski, M., Aavik, T., ... Meskó, N. ... & Croy, I. (2021). Affective Interpersonal Touch in Close Relationships: A Cross-Cultural Perspective. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167220988373
- Meskó, N., Őry, F., Csányi, E., Juhász, L., Szilágyi, G., Lubics, O., Putz, Á., Láng, A. (2021). Women Walk in High Heels: Lumbar Curvature, Dynamic Motion Stimuli and Attractiveness. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health, 18(1), https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010299
2020
- Dobrowolska, M., Groyecka-Bernard, A., Sorokowski, P., Randall, A. K., Hilpert, P., Ahmadi, K., ... Meskó, N. ... Błażejewska, M. (2020). Global Perspective on Marital Satisfaction. Sustainability, 12(21), https://doi.org/10.3390/su12218817
- Sorokowski, P., Sorokowska, A., Karwowski, M., Groyecka, A., Aavik, T., Akello, G., ... Meskó, N. … & Sternberg, R. J. (2021). Universality of the triangular theory of love: adaptation and psychometric properties of the triangular love scale in 25 countries. The Journal of Sex Research, 58(1), 106-115. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2020.1787318
- Birkás, B., Meskó, N., Zsidó, A. N., Ipolyi, D., & Láng, A. (2020). Providing Sexual Companionship for Resources: Development, Validation, and Personality Correlates of the Acceptance of Sugar Relationships in Young Women and Men Scale (ASR-YWMS). Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01135
- Kowal, M., Sorokowski, P., Sorokowska, A., Dobrowolska, M., Pisanski, K., … Meskó, N. … & Zupančič, M. (2020). Reasons for Facebook Usage: Data From 46 Countries. Frontiers in Psychology. 11: 711. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00711
- Walter, K. V., Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., ... Meskó, N. ... & Amjad, N. (2020). Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Across 45 Countries: A Large-Scale Replication. Psychological Science, https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797620904154
- Láng, A., Cooper, E. B., & Meskó, N. (2020). The Relationship Between Dimensions of Adult Attachment and Motivation for Faking Orgasm in Women. The Journal of Sex Research, 57(3), 278-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2018.1525333
- Swami, V., Tran, U. S., Barron, D., Afhami, R., Aimé, A., ... Meskó, N. ...Voracek, M. (2020). The Breast Size Satisfaction Survey (BSSS): Breast size dissatisfaction and its antecedents and outcomes in women from 40 nations. Body Image, 32, 199-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.01.006
2019 and before
- Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., ...Meskó, N. ... & Anjum, A. (2019). Contrasting computational models of mate preference integration across 45 countries. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52748-8
- Conroy-Beam, D., Roney, J. R., Lukaszewski, A. W., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., ... Meskó, N. ... & Alm, C. (2019). Assortative mating and the evolution of desirability covariation. Evolution and Human Behavior. 40(5), 479-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2019.06.003
- Birkás, B., Láng, A., & Meskó, N. (2018). Self-Rated Attractiveness Moderates the Relationship Between Dark Personality Traits and Romantic Ideals in Women. Psychological Reports, 121(1), 184-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033294117738021
- Sorokowska, A., Groyecka, A., Karwowski, M., Frackowiak, T., Lansford, J. E., Ahmadi, K., ... Meskó, N. .. & Blumen, S. (2018). Global study of social odor awareness. Chemical Senses, 43(7), 503-513. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjy038
- Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Hilpert, P., Cantarero, K., Frackowiak, T., Ahmadi, K., ... Meskó, N. ... & Blumen, S. (2017). Preferred interpersonal distances: A global comparison. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48(4), 577-592. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022117698039
- Sorokowski, P., Randall, A. K., Groyecka, A., Frackowiak, T., Cantarero, K., Hilpert, P., ... Meskó, N. ... & Bettache, K. (2017). Marital satisfaction, sex, age, marriage duration, religion, number of children, economic status, education, and collectivistic values: Data from 33 countries. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1199. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01199
- Meskó, N., Szatmári, D., Láng, A. (2016). Miért szexelnek az emberek? - Újratöltve. A szexuális motiváció kérdőív magyar adaptációjának rövid változata (YSEX?-HSF). Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 71(4/3), 621-667. https://doi.org/10.1556/0016.2016.71.4.3
- Hilpert, P., Randall, A. K., Sorokowski, P., Atkins, D. C., Sorokowska, A., Ahmadi, K., ... Meskó, N. ... Błażejewska, M. (2016). The associations of dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction vary between and within nations: A 35-nation study. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1106. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01106
- Meskó, N., Láng, A. & Bernáth, L. (2014). Women evaluate their partners' sexual infidelity: Trade-off between disease avoidance and abandonment avoidance. In Éva Farkas (Ed.) Acta Szekszardiensium/Scientific Publications, Tom XVI. (pp. 111-128.) Szekszárd: Illyés Gyula Faculty, University of Pécs
- Meskó, N., Láng, A., Kocsor, F. (2014). The Hungarian Version of Sociosexual Orientation Inventory Revised (SOI-R): Sex and Age Differences. Interpersona, 8(1), 85-99. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/1819
- Mesko, N., Lang, A., Czibor, A., Szijjarto, L. & Bereczkei, T. (2014). Compete and Compromise: Machiavellianism and Conflict Resolution. Electronic Journal of Business Ethics and Organization Studies. 19 (1), 14-18. http://ejbo.jyu.fi/pdf/ejbo_vol19_no1.pdf
- Meskó, N. & Láng, A. (2013). Women evaluate their partners' betrayal: Emotional reactions, forgiveness, perceived threats of infidelity. In E. Farkas (ed) Acta Szekszardiensium/Scientific Publications, Tom XV. (pp. 47-59.) Szekszárd: Illyés Gyula Faculty, University of Pécs.
- Mesko, N., Lang, A., Ferenczhalmy, R., Miklos, K. & Glockner, B. (2013). Perceived Parental Rearing and Conflict Management: Sex Differences and Sex Roles. International Journal of Advances in Psychology, 2(1) 51-60.
- Meskó, N., Láng, A., Kocsor, F., Rózsa, K. (2012). A szexuális elköteleződés mérése. A szocioszexuális orientációs kérdőív (SOI-R) magyar változata. Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle, 67 (4) 727-749. https://doi.org/10.1556/Mental.14.2013.1.3
- Meskó, N., Paál, T., Gábor, B. (2012). The Face and Head Hair of Woman: Long Hairstyle as an Adaptive Means of Displaying Phenotipic Quality. In M. Mokryš, & A. Lieskovsky (Eds.), Proceedings in Electronic International Interdisciplinary Conference, 3-7 September (pp, 463-468) Zilina, Slovak Republik
- Meskó, N. (2009). Evolúciós pszichológia: az emberi viselkedés új megközelítése. Természet Világa. Darwin év - Evolúció (különszám). 74-78.
- Bereczkei, T., Meskó, N. (2006). Hair length, facial attractiveness, personality attribution: A multiple fitness model of hairdressing. Review of Psychology, 13 (1), 35-42.
- Meskó, N., Bereczkei, T. (2004). Hairstyle as an adaptive means of displaying phenotypic quality. Human Nature, (15)3, 251-270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-004-1008-6
Connection
7624 Pécs, Ifjúság útja 6., Hungary
University of Pécs
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Institute of Psychology
Department of Cognitive and Evolutionary Psychology
Email: mesko.norbert[at]pte.hu
University of Pécs
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
Institute of Psychology
Department of Cognitive and Evolutionary Psychology
Email: mesko.norbert[at]pte.hu