Abstract
People in monogamous relationships can experience a conflict when they interact with an attractive individual. They may have a desire to romantically pursue the new person, while wanting to be faithful to their partner. How do people manage the threat that attractive alternatives present to their relationship goals? We suggest that one way people defend their relationships against attractive individuals is by perceiving the individual as less attractive. In two studies, using a novel visual matching paradigm, we found support for a perceptual downgrading effect. People in relationships perceived threatening attractive individuals as less attractive than did single participants. The effect was exacerbated among participants who were highly satisfied with their current relationships. The studies provide evidence for a perceptual bias that emerges to protect long-term goals. We discuss the findings within the context of a broader theory of motivated perception in the service of self-control.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 879-892 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 1 2016 |
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Keywords
- motivated perception
- relationships
- self-control
- self-regulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
Cite this
In the Eye of the Betrothed : Perceptual Downgrading of Attractive Alternative Romantic Partners. / Cole, Shana; Trope, Yaacov; Balcetis, Emily.
In: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 42, No. 7, 01.07.2016, p. 879-892.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - In the Eye of the Betrothed
T2 - Perceptual Downgrading of Attractive Alternative Romantic Partners
AU - Cole, Shana
AU - Trope, Yaacov
AU - Balcetis, Emily
PY - 2016/7/1
Y1 - 2016/7/1
N2 - People in monogamous relationships can experience a conflict when they interact with an attractive individual. They may have a desire to romantically pursue the new person, while wanting to be faithful to their partner. How do people manage the threat that attractive alternatives present to their relationship goals? We suggest that one way people defend their relationships against attractive individuals is by perceiving the individual as less attractive. In two studies, using a novel visual matching paradigm, we found support for a perceptual downgrading effect. People in relationships perceived threatening attractive individuals as less attractive than did single participants. The effect was exacerbated among participants who were highly satisfied with their current relationships. The studies provide evidence for a perceptual bias that emerges to protect long-term goals. We discuss the findings within the context of a broader theory of motivated perception in the service of self-control.
AB - People in monogamous relationships can experience a conflict when they interact with an attractive individual. They may have a desire to romantically pursue the new person, while wanting to be faithful to their partner. How do people manage the threat that attractive alternatives present to their relationship goals? We suggest that one way people defend their relationships against attractive individuals is by perceiving the individual as less attractive. In two studies, using a novel visual matching paradigm, we found support for a perceptual downgrading effect. People in relationships perceived threatening attractive individuals as less attractive than did single participants. The effect was exacerbated among participants who were highly satisfied with their current relationships. The studies provide evidence for a perceptual bias that emerges to protect long-term goals. We discuss the findings within the context of a broader theory of motivated perception in the service of self-control.
KW - motivated perception
KW - relationships
KW - self-control
KW - self-regulation
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84974530595&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0146167216646546
DO - 10.1177/0146167216646546
M3 - Article
C2 - 27207780
AN - SCOPUS:84974530595
VL - 42
SP - 879
EP - 892
JO - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
JF - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
SN - 0146-1672
IS - 7
ER -