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Article
Experimental Activation of Anti-Cuckoldry Mechanisms Responsive to Female Sexual Infidelity
Personality and Individual Differences
  • Valerie G. Starratt, Nova Southeastern University
  • W.F. McKibbin
  • T.K. Shackelford
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Disciplines
Abstract/Excerpt

Recent research indicates that men may have evolved mechanisms dedicated to detecting and responding to the risk of partner infidelity. Because activation of these “anti-cuckoldry” mechanisms depends on partner infidelity, or the perception of partner infidelity, existing evidence for such mechanisms relies on correlational data. The current study tests several predictions regarding men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms in an experimental design. As predicted, the results demonstrated: (1a) experimental activation of men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms by presenting them with a vignette depicting a female partner’s sexual infidelity; (1b) no activation of men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms by presenting them with a vignette depicting a sexual encounter without female infidelity; (2) experimental activation of men’s anti-cuckoldry mechanisms was influenced by their perceived risk of partner infidelity; and (3) women were not influenced by the partner infidelity manipulation.

DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.02.005
Citation Information
Valerie G. Starratt, W.F. McKibbin and T.K. Shackelford. "Experimental Activation of Anti-Cuckoldry Mechanisms Responsive to Female Sexual Infidelity" Personality and Individual Differences Vol. 55 (2013) p. 59 - 62 ISSN: 0191-8869
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/valerie-starratt/10/