The Woman in Red: Examining the Effect of Ovulatory Cycle on Women’s Perceptions of and Behaviors Toward Other Women

Ekaterina Netchaeva*, Maryam Kouchaki

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous research has shown that during her monthly peak fertile window, a woman competes with other women for a suitable mate. Drawing upon research on ovulation and socially constructed meanings of the color red, we examine how a woman’s fertility status and red clothing worn by a target woman change perceptions of the target, as well as behaviors toward the target. Following previous research on the ovulatory status and color red effects, we rely on both hormonal and self-reported fertility data. Across six studies, our research fails to provide support for the prediction that an ovulating woman is less likely to trust another woman wearing red compared with a nonovulating woman.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1180-1200
Number of pages21
JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Volume44
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2018

Keywords

  • color red
  • ovulation
  • person perceptions
  • resource allocation
  • trust

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology

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