bims-chumac 2022-03-27 papers

bims-chumac

Biomed News

on Context effects on human mate choice

Issue of 2022–03–27
seven papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society

Perceived Effectiveness of Flirtation Tactics: The Effects of sex, Mating Context and Individual Differences in US and Norwegian Samples.
Bio-behavioral synchrony is a potential mechanism for mate selection in humans.
Sexual and Affectionate Behaviors in Asexual and Allosexual Adults.
Sexuality, Sexual Behavior, and Relationships of Asexual Individuals: Differences Between Aromantic and Romantic Orientation.
The Roots and Fruits of Masculinity: Social Antecedents and Sexual Relationship Consequences of Young Men's Adherence to Masculine Norms.
Correction to: BDSM, Non-Monogamy, Consent, and Stigma Navigation: Narrative Experiences.
Danger and sexuality: exploring negotiations in romantic and sexual relationships among university students in Ghana.

Evol Psychol. 2022 Jan-Mar;20(1):20(1): 14747049221088011

Perceived Effectiveness of Flirtation Tactics: The Effects of sex, Mating Context and Individual Differences in US and Norwegian Samples.

Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair, T Joel Wade, Miriam Tekeste Tallaksen, Trond Viggo Grøntvedt, Andrea M Kessler, Rebecca L Burch, Mons Bendixen.

  Flirting involves various signals communicated between individuals. To attract potential mates, men and women exhibit flirtatious behavior to get the attention of, and potentially elicit sexual or romantic interest from, a desired partner. In this first large, preregistered study of judgement of the effectiveness of flirtation tactics based on Sexual Strategies Theory, we considered the effects of flirter's (actor) sex and mating contexts in addition to rater's (participant) sex across two cultures, Norway and the U.S. Culturally relevant covariates such as sociosexuality, extraversion, mate value, age, and religiosity were examined. Participants from Norway (N = 415, 56% women) and the US (N = 577, 69% women) responded to one of four different randomized questionnaires representing a factorial design considering either short-term versus long-term mating context and either female or male sex of actor. We found that sexual availability cues were judged more effective when employed by women in short-term mating contexts. Friendly contact, such as hugs or kissing on the cheek, was not. Cues to generosity and commitment were judged more effective when employed by men in long-term mating contexts. Humor was rated as more effective when used by men and in long-term contexts, and least effective when used by women in short term contexts. However, laughing or giggling at someone's jokes was an effective flirtation tactic for both sexes. Overall, predictions for culturally relevant covariates were not supported, but cultural differences were found in bodily displays, initial contact, and generosity. These findings dovetail neatly with findings from the self-promotion literature, and further support that flirtation is a universal mate signaling strategy.

Keywords:  commitment; extraversion; flirtation; mate value; religiosity; sexual availability; sexual strategies theory; sociosexuality

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/14747049221088011
Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 21. 12(1): 4786

Bio-behavioral synchrony is a potential mechanism for mate selection in humans.

Lior Zeevi, Nathalie Klein Selle, Eva Ludmilla Kellmann, Gal Boiman, Yuval Hart, Shir Atzil.

The decision with whom to form a romantic bond is of great importance, yet the biological or behavioral mechanisms underlying this selective process in humans are largely unknown. Classic evolutionary theories of mate selection emphasize immediate and static features such as physical appearance and fertility. However, they do not explain how initial attraction temporally unfolds during an interaction, nor account for mutual physiological or behavioral adaptations that take place when two people become attracted. Instead, recent theories on social bonding emphasize the importance of co-regulation during social interactions (i.e., the social coordination of physiology and behavior between partners), and predict that co-regulation plays a role in bonding with others. In a speed-date experiment of forty-six heterosexual dates, we recorded the naturally occurring patterns of electrodermal activity and behavioral motion in men and women, and calculated their co-regulation during the date. We demonstrate that co-regulation of behavior and physiology is associated with the date outcome: when a man and a woman synchronize their electrodermal activity and dynamically tune their behavior to one another, they are more likely to be romantically and sexually attracted to one another. This study supports the hypothesis that co-regulation of sympathetic and behavioral rhythms between a man and a woman serves as a mechanism that promotes attraction.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08582-6
J Sex Res. 2022 Mar 22. 1-11

Sexual and Affectionate Behaviors in Asexual and Allosexual Adults.

Alyssa N Clark, Eva S Lefkowitz, Corinne Zimmerman.

Prior experience with physical behaviors - both sexual and affectionate - is common among adults in romantic relationships. However, less is known about differences in physical behaviors for asexual and allosexual adults, and these differences may explain how asexual adults navigate sexuality in romantic relationships. In this study we used sexual script theory to examine asexual (n = 109; 59% women; Mage = 27.7) and allosexual adults' (n = 403; 58% women; Mage = 29.0) prior experiences with and future likelihood to engage in sexual and affectionate behaviors in romantic relationships, and how these differences vary by gender. Asexual adults had less prior experience with and were less likely to intend to engage in future physical behaviors than allosexual adults. There were some gender differences in past experience and future likelihood. Prior experience with physical behaviors was associated with expected likelihood to engage in these behaviors for allosexual and asexual adults, although the association was stronger for asexual adults. These results have implications for how asexual adults engage in physical behaviors, and how differing interest in physical behaviors may cause conflict within asexual-allosexual couples.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2022.2051161
Arch Sex Behav. 2022 Mar 25.

Sexuality, Sexual Behavior, and Relationships of Asexual Individuals: Differences Between Aromantic and Romantic Orientation.

Ana Catarina Carvalho, David L Rodrigues.

  Asexuality is a complex construct with a considerable lack of research until recently. Building upon available findings, we examined the extent to which romantic orientation shapes individual and relationship experiences, and expectations of asexual individuals. Specifically, our research focused on the distinction between romantic asexual individuals, who experience romantic attraction, and aromantic asexual individuals, who do not experience romantic attraction. A cross-sectional study with members of different asexual online communities (N = 447, 55.02% women; Mage = 24.77 years, SD = 7.21) aimed at examining how both groups differ in their identification with the asexuality construct as measured by the Asexuality Identification Scale (Yule et al., 2017), individual perspectives on sexuality, sexual behavior and relationships, concerns about commitment and sexual performance in a relationship, and attachment style. Results showed that aromantic asexual individuals identified more with asexuality, reported a more avoidant attachment style, and were more concerned with relationship commitment. In contrast, romantic asexual individuals reported less sex aversion, more sexual experiences (both past and current), and more sexual partners in the past. These individuals also engaged in romantic relationships more frequently in the past, had a stronger desire to engage in a romantic relationship in future (either with or without sexual intimacy), and were more concerned with sexual performance. Overall, our findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the need to consider romantic orientation when examining asexuality and its interpersonal outcomes.

Keywords:  Aromantic; Asexuality; Relationship outcomes; Romantic orientation; Sexuality

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02187-2
J Sex Res. 2022 Mar 22. 1-14

The Roots and Fruits of Masculinity: Social Antecedents and Sexual Relationship Consequences of Young Men's Adherence to Masculine Norms.

Matthew G Nielson, L Monique Ward, Rita C Seabrook, Soraya Giaccardi.

  On a longitudinal sample of 181 emerging adult men (Mage = 19.36, SDage = 1.48), we analyzed how diverse socializing agents (fathers, male peers, magazines, music videos, TV dramas, and TV sitcoms) related to adherence to masculine norms, and how norm adherence related to men's interpersonal sexual cognitions and behaviors (romantic relationship self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem, and alcohol-primed sexual encounters). We found that male peers, magazines, and music videos related to masculine norm adherence one year later, and that norm adherence predicted increased alcohol-primed sexual encounters. We followed this up with analyses investigating the role of specific masculine norms and found unique socialization and outcome paths for different masculine norms. For example, analyses indicated that male peers were positively related to norms of winning, power over women, playboy attitudes, and risk-taking, and that playboy attitudes, risk-taking, emotional control, and self-reliance predicted lower levels of romantic relationship self-efficacy. Interestingly, sitcom viewing related to lower adherence to masculine norms including heterosexual presentation and having power over women. Findings identify the unique influence of male peers, magazines, and music videos on young men's sexual cognitions and behaviors and highlight how combining different socialization agents in one model is key to identifying these unique patterns of socialization and their consequences.

Keywords:  fathers; gender identity; gender stereotypes; longitudinal; media; peers

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2022.2049188
Arch Sex Behav. 2022 Mar 23.

Correction to: BDSM, Non-Monogamy, Consent, and Stigma Navigation: Narrative Experiences.

Thomson J Ling, Christina J Geiger, Jessica M Hauck, Savanna M Daquila, Jenna E Pattison, Susan Wright, Russell Stambaugh.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02330-7
Cult Health Sex. 2022 Mar 21. 1-16

Danger and sexuality: exploring negotiations in romantic and sexual relationships among university students in Ghana.

Sarah D Compton, Eugene K M Darteh, Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Tanya Omolo, Michelle L Munro-Kramer.

  Gender inequalities and social mores normalise gender-based violence in many settings. The goal of this study was to gain a more in-depth understanding of romantic and sexual relationships, consent, and gender-based violence among university students in Ghana. We used focus group discussions to explore individual factors influencing romantic and sexual relationships among students enrolled at a university in the Central Region of the country to inform the development and tailoring of future interventions. During a series of four focus group discussions comprising students recruited via convenience and snowball sampling, participants were asked to reflect on the nature of their romantic and sexual relationships. Demographic data and experiences of gender-based violence were also collected. The focus groups discussions were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Five themes were developed from the data: (1) traditional gender roles; (2) self-control; (3) relationship-based consent; (4) cheating; and (5) non-verbal communication. This study suggests negative health and social ramifications of violence will continue until there is a resolution of conflicting social norms that result in different expectations about how men and women can address their sexual needs. Future programming and interventions for gender-based violence prevention should reflect on their impact across all ecological levels.

Keywords:  Ghana; Romantic relationships; intimate partner violence; sexual relationships; university students; young adults

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2022.2050425