Jealousy Induction Methods, Sex, and the Big-5 Personality Dimensions
- 1
- 2
Abstract
One-hundred and twenty five participants were administered an online survey to investigate: which type of cheating, emotional or sexual, is more likely to be used in an attempt to induce jealousy in a partner, which type of cheating is perceived as most effective for inducing jealousy, and whether or not the Big-5 personality dimensions are related to the choice of jealousy induction technique. Emotional cheating was hypothesized to be selected more often, and given a higher effectiveness rating, than physical cheating for inducing jealousy in a partner. Additionally, men were hypothesized to rate physical cheating as worse than emotional cheating while women were expected to rate emotional cheating as more hurtful. The results were partially consistent with the hypotheses. Emotional cheating was selected as the method to induce jealousy most often and was rated as the most effective way to induce jealousy. However, physical cheating was rated as more upsetting by both men and women. Additionally, Big-5 personality dimensions were not related to choice of jealousy induction method or reactions to physical or emotional cheating. The findings are discussed in relation to prior research.
- Botwin, M. D., Buss, D. M., & Shackelford, T. K. (1997). Personality and mate preferences: Five factors in mate selection and marital satisfaction. Journal of Personality, 65, 107-136. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1997.tb00531.x
- Buss, D. M. (2002). Human mate guarding. Neuroendocrinology Letters Special Issue, 23, 23-29.
- Buss, D. M. (2000). The Dangerous Passion: Why Jealousy is as Necessary as Love and Sex. New York: The Free Press.
- Buss, D. M., Larsen, R. J., Westen, D., & Semmelroth, J. (1992). Sex differences in jealousy: Evolution, physiology and psychology. Psychological Science, 3: 251-255. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.1992.tb00038.x
- Buss, D. M., & Schmitt, D. P. (1993). Sexual Strategies Theory: An Evolutionary Perspective on Human Mating. Psychological Review, 100, 203-232. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.100.2.204
- Daly, M & Wilson, M. (1988). Homicide. New York: Aldine-de Gruyter.
- Fisher, M., Voracek, M, Rekkas, V. P., & Cox, A. (2008). Sex differences in feelings of guilt arising from infidelity. Evolutionary Psychology, 6, 436-446.
- Fleischmann, A.A. (2005). Tickling the monster: Jealousy induction in relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 49-73. doi:10.1177/0265407505049321
- Garcia, J. R., & Reiber, C. (2008). Hook-up behavior: A biopsychosocial perspective. Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural Psychology, 192-208.
- Gosling, S. D., Rentfrow, P. J., & Swann Jr., W. B. (2003). A very brief measure of the Big-Five personality domains. Journal of Research in Personality, 37, 504-528. doi:10.1016/S0092-6566(03)00046-1
- Harris, C. R. (2004). The evolution of jealousy. American Scientist, 92, 62-71.
- Hughes, S. M., Harrison, M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. Evolutionary Psychology, 5. 612-631.
- Larsen, R. J., & Buss, D. M. (2002). Personality psychology: Domains of knowledge about human nature. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
- Shackelford, T. K., & Buss, D. M. (1997) Cues to infidelity, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23, 1034-1045. doi:10.1177/01461672972310004
- Shackelford, T. K., Buss, D. M., & Bennett, K. (2002). Forgiveness or breakup: Sex differences in response to a partner’s infidelity. Cognition and Emotion, 16, 299-307. doi:10.1080/02699930143000202