Abstract
The temptation of alternative mating partners can threaten satisfaction with and commitment to an existing romantic relationship. Consequently, people exhibit cognitive processes that help protect their relationship when faced with desirable relationship alternatives. Previous studies have focused primarily on processes that involve explicit, higher-order cognitive mechanisms such as overt judgments and choices (e.g., judging the alternative as less attractive). The current studies, in contrast, examined automatic, early-stage attentional processes that may help protect against threats posed by exposure to alternative mating partners. Whereas single participants responded to implicit mating primes by increasing early-stage attention to physically attractive opposite sex targets, participants in a committed romantic relationship were inattentive to those attractive alternatives. This research provides a novel approach for studying implicit cognitive mechanisms involved in maintaining close relationships.
| Language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages | 174-179 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2009 |
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Keywords
- Attention
- Individual differences
- Mating
- Physical attractiveness
- Romantic relationships
- Social perception
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Sociology and Political Science
Cite this
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The implicit cognition of relationship maintenance : Inattention to attractive alternatives. / Maner, Jon K.; Gailliot, Matthew T.; Miller, Saul L.
In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 45, No. 1, 01.01.2009, p. 174-179.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The implicit cognition of relationship maintenance
T2 - Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
AU - Maner,Jon K.
AU - Gailliot,Matthew T.
AU - Miller,Saul L.
PY - 2009/1/1
Y1 - 2009/1/1
N2 - The temptation of alternative mating partners can threaten satisfaction with and commitment to an existing romantic relationship. Consequently, people exhibit cognitive processes that help protect their relationship when faced with desirable relationship alternatives. Previous studies have focused primarily on processes that involve explicit, higher-order cognitive mechanisms such as overt judgments and choices (e.g., judging the alternative as less attractive). The current studies, in contrast, examined automatic, early-stage attentional processes that may help protect against threats posed by exposure to alternative mating partners. Whereas single participants responded to implicit mating primes by increasing early-stage attention to physically attractive opposite sex targets, participants in a committed romantic relationship were inattentive to those attractive alternatives. This research provides a novel approach for studying implicit cognitive mechanisms involved in maintaining close relationships.
AB - The temptation of alternative mating partners can threaten satisfaction with and commitment to an existing romantic relationship. Consequently, people exhibit cognitive processes that help protect their relationship when faced with desirable relationship alternatives. Previous studies have focused primarily on processes that involve explicit, higher-order cognitive mechanisms such as overt judgments and choices (e.g., judging the alternative as less attractive). The current studies, in contrast, examined automatic, early-stage attentional processes that may help protect against threats posed by exposure to alternative mating partners. Whereas single participants responded to implicit mating primes by increasing early-stage attention to physically attractive opposite sex targets, participants in a committed romantic relationship were inattentive to those attractive alternatives. This research provides a novel approach for studying implicit cognitive mechanisms involved in maintaining close relationships.
KW - Attention
KW - Individual differences
KW - Mating
KW - Physical attractiveness
KW - Romantic relationships
KW - Social perception
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=56549093703&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=56549093703&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jesp.2008.08.002
DO - 10.1016/j.jesp.2008.08.002
M3 - Article
VL - 45
SP - 174
EP - 179
JO - Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
SN - 0022-1031
IS - 1
ER -