Sex Differences in Jealousy in Response to Actual Infidelity Ruben Flores, Kyle Tronson, Frank T. Kagiyama Jr. Edlund, John E., Heider, Jeremy D., Scherer, Cory R. Farc, Maria- Magdalena, Sagarin, Brad J. (2006) Evolutionary Psychology. Sex Differences in Jealousy in Response to Actual Infidelity.

Sex Differences in Jealousy The present studies address two criticisms of the theory of evolved sex differences in jealousy: (a) that the sex difference in jealousy emerges only in response to hypothetical infidelity scenarios, and (b) that the sex difference emerges only using forced-choice measures.

In two separate studies, one a paper-and-pencil survey with a student sample and the other a web-based survey targeting a non-student sample, men and women showed significant sex differences in jealousy in response to actual infidelity experiences; men experienced more jealousy in response to the sexual aspects of an actual infidelity, whereas women experienced more jealousy in response to the emotional aspects of the infidelity. Sex differences emerged using both continuous measures of jealousy as well as the traditional forced-choice measure.

Jealousy Theory of Evolved Sex Differences Ancestral women’s challenge of ensuring paternal investment exerted selective pressures that increased women’s jealousy in response to emotional infidelity Ancestral men’s challenge of paternal uncertainty exerted selective pressures that increased men’s jealousy in response to sexual infidelity Majority of studies testing this theory examined responses to hypothetical infidelity scenarios –Forced to choose which type of infidelity (sexual or emotional) is more distressing or upsetting Led to serious challenges: (a) that sex differences in jealousy are not replicable with continuous measure of jealousy, and (b) that sex differences in jealousy do not emerge when people report their actions to actual infidelity experiences

Sex Diffs in Jealousy using Continuous Measures Majority of previous studies used forced-choice methods –Favored because men and women were expected to have strong jealous reactions to sexual and emotional infidelity and forced-choice allows for clear separation of the two Previous studies using continuous measures showed no sex differences –Used 7 point scale with 1=not at all, 4=moderately, 7=very –Majority simply chose very; re-worded scale for current studies

Sex Diffs in Jealousy in Response to Actual Infidelity Do responses to hypothetical infidelity scenarios align with responses to actual infidelity experiences? Critics say that when asked about their reactions to actual infidelity, both men and women reported that they focused on the emotional aspects of the infidelity more than the sexual aspects In hypothetical situations participants reported their distress, whereas they reported their focus in response to actual scenarios of infidelity Distress is an affective response whereas focus is a cognitive response

Study One Students completed a three-page survey First page contained demographics and asked whether the participant had ever been cheated on Second page asked how emotionally distressed participant was by the infidelity; how jealous they were in response to the emotional and sexual aspects of the infidelity; a forced-choice jealousy item; how much the participant focused on the emotional and sexual aspects, and a forced-choice focus item When recalling actual and hypothetical experiences, men reported greater jealousy in response to (and focused on) sexual aspects; and women on emotional

Study Two Study Two designed to attempt to replicate findings of Study One using a different method of data collection and a non-student sample Psychology undergraduates recruited working adults to participate in a web-based survey which (adapted from Study One) All findings were consistent with Study One, with men geared toward the sexual aspects in all scenarios and women geared toward emotional aspects of the infidelity

Motive -Societal Barricades (Males) -Societal Aid (Female) -Child support breaks down promiscuity. -Males more apt to infidelity

Quiz Time! 1. How does the infusion of the hypothetical infidelities conflict with actual infidelities a) contradicts b) reaffirms c) Both 2. What did the study show? a) Men respond more to physical infidelities b) Women respond more to physical infidelities c) Women respond more to emotional infidelities d) None of the Above e) Both a and c 3. Previous studies in the forced choice measure, participants both had different results in response to infidelity: True or False? 4. Societal measures are sexually beneficial to both sexes: True or False? 5. Jealousy is “lousy”: True or False?