Sexual Transgressions in Couples: The Influence of Dependence and Commitment on their Perception and Handling

Abstract Transgressions occur frequently in romantic relationships, and how they are perceived is influenced by the type of transgression that occurred. By means of an experimental study of 399 participants (75.9% women and 24.1% men) aged 18 to 64 years old (Mage = 31.20, SD = 10.48), we examined the relationship between the type of sexual transgression (infidelity versus coercion), and perceived severity, strategies individuals would use in response to the transgression, and the probability they would leave the relationship, as well as levels of dependence and commitment. Results revealed higher perceived severity (p < .001, η2p = .24) and probability of leaving the relationship (p < .001, η2p = .39) in the infidelity scenario (versus coercion). Meanwhile, women (compared to men) rated sexual transgressions as more severe (p < .001, η2p = .04) and reported a higher probability of leaving the relationship (p < .001, η2p = .03), as well as a higher use of active conflict resolution strategies (exit, p = .048, η2p = .01, and voice, p < .001, η2p = .06) and lower use of passive strategies (loyalty, p < .001, η2p = .08). Finally, high levels of commitment and dependence predicted lower perceived severity (commitment, p < .001, 95% CI [–.72, –.20]; dependence, p < .001, 95% CI [–1.73, –.85]) and lower probability of leaving the relationship (commitment, p = .048, 95% CI [–.55, –.01]; dependence, p < .001, 95% CI [–1.66, –.73]) in coercion (versus infidelity) transgressions. These results highlight the normalization of sexual coercion in romantic relationships, which is not viewed as negatively as infidelity, and that commitment and dependence contribute to minimizing the negative impressions of it.

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Partner-Specific Dependency and Guilt as Predictors of Forgiveness in Spanish University Women

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/sjp.2019.19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ana M. Beltrán-Morillas ◽

Inmaculada Valor-Segura ◽

Francisca Expósito

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Physical Violence ◽

Sexual Infidelity ◽

University Women ◽

Interpersonal Transgressions ◽

The Face ◽

The Stability ◽

The Relationship

AbstractInterpersonal transgressions often threaten the stability of the relationship. Within the scope of romantic relationships, physical violence and sexual infidelity have been considered the most difficult transgressions to forgive. Similarly, two variables considered relevant for forgiveness within the context of the couple are partner-specific dependency and the guilt experienced by the offended person. In that way, this research aims to approach the understanding of the forgiveness process of such transgressions. To this end, an experimental study was designed (N= 173 university women;Mage= 21.36,SD= 2.83), by which three indicators of forgiveness corresponding to the Transgression-Related Interpersonal Motivations Scale–18–Item Form (TRIM–18; “Revenge”, “Avoidance” and “Benevolence”), partner-specific dependency and sense of guilt of the offended person were examined in the face of the transgressions of physical violence and sexual infidelity. Results revealed that violence (vs. infidelity) is less forgiven (higher “Revenge”,p= .017, ηp2= .034). In addition, the results showed that high partner-specific dependency leads to further guilt which, in turn, leads to greater forgiveness towards the partner (less “Avoidance”,CIE= –.094,SE= .042, 95% CI [–.201, –.029]; and higher “Benevolence”,CIE= .080,SE= .037, 95% CI [.024, .173]) in light of violence (vs. infidelity). Last but not least, the previous findings and their possible implications for romantic relationships are discussed.

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Cognitive interdependence and the everyday expression of commitment

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407519884640 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 1008-1029

Author(s):

Bret A. Davis ◽

Daniel J. Weigel

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Online Survey ◽

Relationship Commitment ◽

Interdependence Theory ◽

The Everyday ◽

Survey Results ◽

The Relationship

Based on interdependence theory, this study expands the work on cognitive interdependence—viewing a relationship as a pluralistic collective—by testing the proposition that cognitive interdependence is connected with everyday expressions of commitment. A sample of 275 individuals in romantic relationships completed an online survey. Results revealed that cognitive interdependence is characterized by greater inclusion of partners into self-concepts, more positive thoughts about the relationship, and viewing the relationship as central to one’s life. Further, results showed that cognitive interdependence is a critical linchpin mechanism linking relationship commitment with everyday expressions of commitment. The findings are discussed in terms of the importance of cognitive interdependence for understanding commitment and pro-relationship behavior.

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Shared musical activity and perceptions of relationship commitment

Psychology of Music ◽

10.1177/03057356211058779 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 030573562110587

Author(s):

Jake Harwood ◽

Sandi D Wallace

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Relationship Commitment ◽

Interpersonal Coordination ◽

Political Values ◽

Positive Communication ◽

Musical Activity ◽

Musical Engagement ◽

Shared Social Values ◽

The Relationship ◽

Musical Activities

Sharing music with another person involves the potential for profound emotional connection, rhythmic synchronization and coordination, and the expression of shared social and political values (among other things). We explore whether experiences of shared musical activity are associated with perceptions of communication and positive outcomes in friendships and romantic relationships, using reports from one member of the dyad. Reports of musical activities in the relationship were associated with higher levels of commitment to the relationship, with those effects mediated by perceptions of interpersonal coordination and positive communication. Surprisingly, structured musical activities (e.g., actively playing music together) were associated with lower levels of commitment, both directly and via interpersonal coordination, positive communication, and shared social values. All findings persist when controlling for other forms of shared relationship activities, thus demonstrating effects that are unique to shared musical engagement. The findings are discussed in a framework of music’s potential relational power—the Shared Musical Activities in Relationships (SMAR) model.

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Experimental study on the relationship between organizational culture and affective well-being at work: Role of person-organization fit

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e604062012-309 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Sonia P. Goncalves ◽

Jose Neves

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Organizational Culture ◽

Well Being ◽

Work Role ◽

Person Organization Fit ◽

The Relationship

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Quantity judgment and the mass-count distinction across languages: Advances, problems, and future directions for research

10.31234/osf.io/hvzej ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

David Barner ◽

Alan Bale

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Judgment Task ◽

Scientific Enterprise ◽

Future Directions ◽

Quantity Judgment ◽

The Relationship ◽

Linguistic Cognition

We review advances in the experimental study of the mass-count distinction and highlight problems that have emerged. First, we lay out what we see to be the scientific enterprise of studying the syntax and semantics of mass-count distinction, and the assumptions we believe must be made if additional progress is to occur, especially as the empirical facts continue to grow in number and complexity. Second, we discuss the new landscape of cross-linguistic results that has been created by widespread use of the quantity judgment task, and what these results tell us about the nature of the mass-count distinction. Finally, we discuss the relationship between the mass-count distinction and non-linguistic cognition, and in particular the object-substance distinction.

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External Investigators' Follow-Up Intentions When Whistleblowers Report Healthcare Fraud: The Effects of Report Anonymity and Previous Confrontation

Behavioral Research in Accounting ◽

10.2308/bria-19-042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 91-101

Author(s):

Steven E. Kaplan ◽

Danny Lanier ◽

Kelly R. Pope ◽

Janet A. Samuels

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Early Detection ◽

Data Availability ◽

Medical Provider ◽

Perceived Credibility ◽

The Relationship ◽

Critical Investigation

ABSTRACT Whistleblowing reports, if properly investigated, facilitate the early detection of fraud. Although critical, investigation-related decisions represent a relatively underexplored component of the whistleblowing process. Investigators are responsible for initially deciding whether to follow-up on reports alleging fraud. We report the results of an experimental study examining the follow-up intentions of highly experienced healthcare investigators. Participants, in the role of an insurance investigator, are asked to review a whistleblowing report alleging billing fraud occurring at a medical provider. Thus, participants are serving as external investigators. In a between-participant design, we manipulate the report type and whether the caller previously confronted the wrongdoer. We find that compared to an anonymous report, a non-anonymous report is perceived as more credible and follow-up intentions stronger. We also find that perceived credibility fully mediates the relationship between report type and follow-up intentions. Previous confrontation is not significantly associated with either perceived credibility or follow-up intentions. Data Availability: Data are available upon request.

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