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vanDellen MR, Schiavone WM, Wright JWC, Bornstein JX. When What Is Beautiful Is Not Good: The Role of Trait Self-Control in Resisting Eye Candy. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2024:1461672241235386. [PMID: 38468380 DOI: 10.1177/01461672241235386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
People are drawn to and like others who are physically attractive. In the present research, we investigated the influence of trait self-control on individuals' interest in relationships with physically attractive others. We hypothesized that high (vs. low) self-control individuals would approach relationships by considering information beyond appearance about potential partners, including partners' self-control. We additionally explored the influence of other traits (e.g., Big 5, self-esteem, and attachment styles) on relationship interest. Across studies, we consistently found that individuals with higher self-control avoided pursuing relationships with attractive individuals who display low self-control. In Study 3, we observed a similar pattern for three other traits: conscientiousness, extraversion, and positivity embracement. These results suggest perceivers' self-control shapes relationship interest, particularly when attractive individuals possess less desirable qualities. The findings extend past research that attractiveness increases interest in others and highlights the potential for trait self-control to direct relationship interest during initial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jerica X Bornstein
- University of Georgia, Athens, USA
- The University of Texas at Austin, USA
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Belu CF, O'Sullivan LF. Once a Poacher Always a Poacher? Mate Poaching History and its Association with Relationship Quality. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2020; 57:508-521. [PMID: 31106590 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2019.1610150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Successful mate poaching is a form of infidelity that occurs when one partner knowingly attracts the mate of another with the intention of starting a sexual and/or romantic relationship with this individual. Relationships formed from poaching tend to be of lower quality than their non-poached counterparts. A history of poaching might reflect a sociosexuality that propels seeking new partnerships without regard for exclusivity. It is unknown whether serial poaching for relationship formation is linked to more permissive sociosexual orientation. Adults (N = 653; aged 25-40; 57% women) in a romantic relationship completed online surveys assessing mate poaching, poaching history, sociosexuality, and relationship quality (commitment, satisfaction, trust, jealousy). Those in a poached relationship at the time of the study had a more extensive history of poached relationships and a more permissive sociosexuality. Participants who reported a more extensive history of mate poaching reported poorer quality relationships. The link between poaching history and relationship quality was partially accounted for by sociosexuality. This research adds to our understanding of difficulties that may be associated with the relationships of individuals who use poaching as a relationship initiation strategy, and the challenges that permissive sociosexuality may present for maintaining long-term relationships.
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Eastwick PW, Smith LK. Sex-differentiated effects of physical attractiveness on romantic desire: a highly powered, preregistered study in a photograph evaluation context. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/23743603.2018.1425089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul W. Eastwick
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Leigh K. Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Zhang Q, Maner JK, Xu Y, Zheng Y. Relational Motives Reduce Attentional Adhesion to Attractive Alternatives in Heterosexual University Students in China. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2017; 46:503-511. [PMID: 27173104 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-016-0759-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In heterosexual individuals, attention is automatically captured by physically attractive members of the opposite sex. Although helpful for selecting new mates, attention to attractive relationship alternatives can threaten satisfaction with and commitment to an existing romantic relationship. The current study tested the hypothesis that although a mating prime would increase selective attention to attractive opposite-sex targets (relative to less attractive targets) among single participants, this effect would be reduced among people already committed to a long-term romantic partner. Consistent with hypotheses, whereas single participants responded to a mating prime with greater attentional adhesion to physically attractive opposite-sex targets (relative to less attractive targets), participants in a committed romantic relationship showed no such effect. These findings extend previous research suggesting the presence of relationship maintenance mechanisms that operate at early stages of social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuli Zhang
- Center for Studies of Education and Psychology of Ethnic Minorities in Southwest China, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jon K Maner
- Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Yin Xu
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (MOE), Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, No. 1 Tiansheng, Beibei, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Pair-Bonded Relationships and Romantic Alternatives. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aesp.2015.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Ma Y, Zhao G, Tu S, Zheng Y. Attentional Biases toward Attractive Alternatives and Rivals: Mechanisms Involved in Relationship Maintenance among Chinese Women. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136662. [PMID: 26309232 PMCID: PMC4550349 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A long-term romantic relationship can offer many benefits to committed individuals. Thus, humans possess relationship maintenance mechanisms to protect against threats from those who serve as attractive alternatives or intrasexual rivals. Many studies have indicated that romantic love can act as a commitment device to activate these mechanisms. To examine the attentional bias associated with relationship maintenance among 108 college students (49 single and 59 committed females) in China, we used a semantic priming procedure to activate mental representations associated with romantic love and then asked participants to complete a dot-probe task for the purpose of making a distinction between the engage and disengage components of attention. No significant engaging effects toward attractive faces were observed among committed females, but the following significant disengaging effects were found: when primed with romantic love, single females showed increased attention toward and difficulty in disengaging from attractive male faces, whereas females already in a committed relationship did not alter their attention, remaining as inattentive to attractive alternatives as they were in the baseline condition. In addition, committed females responded to love priming by exhibiting difficulty in disengaging from attractive rivals. The present findings provide evidence in the Chinese cultural context for the existence of early-stage attentional processes in the domain of relationship maintenance that committed Chinese females protected an ongoing relationship by not only being inattentive to attractive males who could serve as attractive alternatives, but also being more attentive to attractive females who could be potential rivals when mental representations associated with romantic love were primed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (MOE), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang Zhao
- Research Center of Psychological Development and Education, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China
| | - Shen Tu
- Department of Psychology, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China
| | - Yong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (MOE), Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- * E-mail:
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Lydon J, Karremans JC. Relationship regulation in the face of eye candy: a motivated cognition framework for understanding responses to attractive alternatives. Curr Opin Psychol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Makhanova A, Miller SL. Female Fertility and Male Mating: Women's Ovulatory Cues Influence Men's Physiology, Cognition, and Behavior. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Abstract
Relationship research typically treats feelings about current romantic partners as independent of any lingering attachment to past partners. In contrast, the current study tests for an inverse association between current relationship quality and attachment to ex-partners. A longitudinal study followed individuals in relationships at three points over the course of 6 months. Participants reported their current relationship quality, emotional attachment to ex-partners, and perceived quality of relationship alternatives. Longitudinal declines in relationship quality predicted increased longing for ex-partners, above and beyond attention to relationship alternatives more generally. On the other hand, increased longing for ex-partners over time predicted decreased relationship quality, but only among those considering recent ex-partners. These findings suggest that ex-partners may be used in a substitution process to bolster belongingness needs when relationships sour and that resolving feelings for one’s most recent ex may be important for maximizing a new relationship’s potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samantha Joel
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoff MacDonald
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aleksandr Kogan
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, Canada
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