Who gets mad and who feels bad? Mate value discrepancies predict anger and shame in response to transgressions in romantic relationships

Mate value discrepancies (MVDs) predict multiple outcomes in romantic relationships, including relationship satisfaction, jealousy, and forgiveness. We tested the hypotheses that MVDs would predict anger and shame in response to both medium and strong transgressions within romantic relationships. Participants in long-term committed relationships read scenarios describing relational transgressions and rated how much anger and shame they would feel if they were either the victim or the perpetrator of the transgressions in their current relationship. We found partial support for our hypotheses. Victims of medium-level transgressions were angrier the more alternative potential mates there were that were closer to their ideal mate preferences than their current partner. Perpetrators of strong transgressions felt more shame the higher in mate value their partner was compared to them. Results suggest that different MVDs may predict different outcomes in relationships and highlight the importance of using functional theories of emotions to predict individual differences in emotional responses.

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Humor in Long-Term Romantic Relationships: The Association of General Humor Styles and Relationship-Specific Functions with Relationship Satisfaction

Western Journal of Communication ◽

10.1080/10570314.2012.757796 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 272-292 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Jeffrey A. Hall

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Humor Styles

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Humor production in long-term romantic relationships: What the lack of moderation by sex reveals about humor’s role in mating

Humor - International Journal of Humor Research ◽

10.1515/humor-2018-0005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 32 (3) ◽

pp. 343-359

Author(s):

Jeffrey A. Hall

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Romantic Partners ◽

The Relationship

Abstract This manuscript explores whether the associations between partner humor production and relationship satisfaction and humor’s importance in romantic relationships are moderated by sex. Study 1 reports a meta-analysis (k = 10; N = 2,167) of the association between partner humor production (i.e., perceived; partner effects) and relationship satisfaction, and whether associations were moderated by participant sex. Contrary to predictions, partner humor production was more strongly associated to men’s relationship satisfaction than women’s satisfaction. Study 2 surveyed pairs of romantic partners (N = 246) regarding their production of humor, their appreciation of partner humor, and the importance of humor in their relationship. Results indicated no moderations by sex in the association between partner humor production and humor’s importance in the relationship.

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The Romantic Lives of Emerging Adults

10.1093/oso/9780190639778.001.0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Varda Konstam

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Qualitative Data ◽

Romantic Attachment ◽

Economic Conditions ◽

Sexual Experiences ◽

Committed Relationships ◽

Risk Avoidance

The romantic lives of emerging adults are often baffling and contradictory: they prize committed and authentic relationships, yet they appear to be reluctant participants, and they prefer to foster ambiguity in their romantic relationships, even as they value honesty and clarity. This book grapples with these perplexing questions and considers the challenging economic conditions in which today’s emerging adults find themselves. With an emphasis on the constructs of commitment and sacrifice and their centrality to emerging adults’ readiness for long-term relationships, the main milestones in transitioning from an I identity to a we identity are reviewed. The concepts of choice and risk are discussed and structures such as asymmetrically committed relationships, cohabitation, marriage, and divorce are examined through the lens of risk and risk avoidance. The book probes extensively into the romantic lives of emerging adults—their attitudes, values, and expectations. In doing so, this text examines some of the developmental and contextual realities against which romantic attachment must be viewed. Critical topics such as casual and sexual experiences and relationships, going solo, breakups, the integration of work and love, and social media and its influence are considered. Original qualitative data about the topic is presented. The chapters conclude with a “close-up look” at one or more emerging adults so that their romantic lives are brought to life more vividly. The commonality and the individuality of the emerging adults that are presented throughout this text contribute to a rich understanding of emerging adults and how they live and love.

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A multivariate analysis of women's mating strategies and sexual selection on men's facial morphology

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.191209 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 191209 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Tessa R. Clarkson ◽

Morgan J. Sidari ◽

Rosanna Sains ◽

Meredith Alexander ◽

Melissa Harrison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Selection ◽

Mate Choice ◽

Mate Preferences ◽

Mating Strategies ◽

Facial Morphology ◽

Mate Value ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Facial Masculinity ◽

Moral Disgust

The strength and direction of sexual selection via female choice on masculine facial traits in men is a paradox in human mate choice research. While masculinity may communicate benefits to women and offspring directly (i.e. resources) or indirectly (i.e. health), masculine men may be costly as long-term partners owing to lower paternal investment. Mating strategy theory suggests women's preferences for masculine traits are strongest when the costs associated with masculinity are reduced. This study takes a multivariate approach to testing whether women's mate preferences are context-dependent. Women ( n = 919) rated attractiveness when considering long-term and short-term relationships for male faces varying in beardedness (clean-shaven and full beards) and facial masculinity (30% and 60% feminized, unmanipulated, 30% and 60% masculinized). Participants then completed scales measuring pathogen, sexual and moral disgust, disgust towards ectoparasites, reproductive ambition, self-perceived mate value and the facial hair in partners and fathers. In contrast to past research, we found no associations between pathogen disgust, self-perceived mate value or reproductive ambition and facial masculinity preferences. However, we found a significant positive association between moral disgust and preferences for masculine faces and bearded faces. Preferences for beards were lower among women with higher ectoparasite disgust, providing evidence for ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis. However, women reporting higher pathogen disgust gave higher attractiveness ratings for bearded faces than women reporting lower pathogen disgust, providing support for parasite-stress theories of sexual selection and mate choice. Preferences for beards were also highest among single and married women with the strongest reproductive ambition. Overall, our results reflect mixed associations between individual differences in mating strategies and women's mate preferences for masculine facial traits.

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“Imperfect Love”: The Effect of Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms and Relationship Commitment on Relationship Satisfaction

10.33790/jmhsb1100136 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Grace White ◽

Roberta Napoleon

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Borderline Personality Disorder ◽

Personality Disorder ◽

Romantic Relationships ◽

Relationship Satisfaction ◽

Borderline Personality ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Committed Relationships ◽

Relationship Type ◽

The Impact

This study aimed to determine the connection between borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptom-endorsement and relationship satisfaction. Individuals in romantic relationships often report higher levels of overall life satisfaction and functioning. However, the experience of emotional distress or disability may impair one’s ability to benefit from the protective effects of a romantic dyad. Therefore, understanding the impact that individual mental health may have on perceptions of satisfaction in romantic relationships may be of importance. Additionally, the role that relationship type, such as committed vs. non-committed relationships, can have on assessments of satisfaction for individuals who experience BPD symptoms is of interest. 433 participants self-reported their experiences with BPD symptoms using the Borderline Symptoms List 23 [1] and relationship type (committed vs. non-committed). The Relationship Satisfaction Assessment [2]was completed to determine individuals’ happiness and fulfillment within their interpersonal relationships. Findings indicated that endorsement of BPD symptoms had a significant negative association with self-reported relationship satisfaction. Relationship type was also a significant indicator of relationship satisfaction. Thus, those in committed relationships reported higher levels of overall satisfaction than those in non-committed relationships. This research suggests that both the experience of certain mental health issues and commitment to a relationship may determine overall feelings of fulfillment in romantic relationships. Additional research is necessary to replicate and explore the impact of this association.

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Initiating, Maintaining, or Breaking Up?

Social Psychology ◽

10.1027/1864-9335/a000200 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (5) ◽

pp. 408-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michela Menegatti ◽

Monica Rubini

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Romantic Relationship ◽

Self Disclosure ◽

Level Of Abstraction ◽

Problematic Relationship ◽

Abstract Language ◽

Language Abstraction

Two studies examined whether individuals vary the level of abstraction of messages composed to achieve the relational goals of initiating, maintaining, and ending a romantic relationships when the goal of communication was self-disclosure or persuading one’s partner. Study 1 showed that abstract language was preferred to disclose thoughts and feelings about initiating a romantic relationship or to persuade the partner to consolidate a long-term one. Study 2 revealed that participants used abstract terms to persuade the partner to continue a problematic relationship and to disclose their thoughts on ending it. These results show that language abstraction is a flexible means to handle individuals’ goals and influence the course of romantic relationships.

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