Oct 29 Flashcards
communication & sexual interest - recall the…
interpersonal gap between sender’s intentions and effect on receiver
in initial encounters, men tend to exhibit…
sexual overperception bias
- perceive GREATER SEXUAL INTENT in women’s behaviour compared to:
a) women’s self-reported intent
b) outsider observer woman ratings
- ascribe more sexual intent to flirting behaviour
communication & sexual interested - may _____ desires…
PROJECT desires onto prospective partners
“see what we want to see”
following exposure to sexual prime, Ps perceived potential partners as MORE ATTRACTIVE and more INTERESTED in oneself
heightened romantic interest mediates relationship between sexual activation and perceiving partner as interested in oneself
what mediates relationship between sexual activation and perceived potential partners as more attractive and more interested in oneself?
heightened romantic interest
communication & sexual interest in long-term, established couples
men exhibit OPPOSITE BIAS - they UNDER-PERCEIVE partner’s sexual desirer
under-perception is associated with relationship benefits (esp for men)
- partners felt more satisfied & committed to relationship - why?
- might work a little harder to spark partner’s interest
men might be biased in direction of under-perception to…
avoid rejection
stronger under-perception bias on days when more motivated to avoid sexual rejection (both men and women)
sexual communication is a combo of…
- degree of SEXUAL SELF-DISCLOSURE
- QUALITY of sexual communication
- FREQUENCY of sexual communication
sexual self-disclosure
discussion of sexual preferences
desire to engage in certain activities
sexual attitudes & values
quality of sexual communication
satisfaction with communication
feeling that one can talk to partner about pos & neg aspects of sexual relationship
sexual communication is associated with…
- improvements in all domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, erection, lubrication, orgasm, less pain)
- greater sexual satisfaction
- greater relationship satisfaction
sexual communication uniquely predicts…
sexual and relationship satisfaction
over and above general communications
better sexual communication in gay & lesbian couples…
may contribute to more enjoyable sexual experiences
what fraction of couples in long term relationships report experiencing sexual issues?
1/3
ie. disagreements about preferred sexual frequency
in most long term, heterosexual relationships, CHRONIC MISMATCH in sexual in sexual desire between partners
effective communication = essential for navigating these disagreements, but it’s not easy
what types of conflicts have stronger impact on relationship quality?
sexual conflicts
despite benefits of sexual communication…
sexual topics are AVOIDED MORE than nonsexual topics
relationship partners often have poor understanding of each other’s likes & dislikes
rely on GENERALIZATIONS & STEREOTYPES instead
barriers to sexual communication
- desire to AVOID NEGATIVE EMOTION is a powerful motivator
- fear that sexual communication will THREATEN RELATIONSHIP
- fear of experiencing SHAME & EMBARRASSMENT
- dear that might HURT or SHAME PARTNER
(similar barriers for both sexual and non-sexual conflict discussions - ie. threat to relationship, self, partner)
fear that sexual communication will THREATEN RELATIONSHIP
- may discover incompatible preferences
- talking about problems may make things worse
- disclosing past sexual experiences may cause conflict
sexual discussions are _________ _________ to the self
especially threatening
cognitive reappraisal
emotion regulation strategy, useful when communicating about sex
RE-EVALUATING and REFRAMING the meaning or significance of a situation
instead of saying “I’m going to embarrass myself”, say “this is an opportunity to get closer to my partner”
by CONSTRUING THE SITUATION AS LESS AVERSIVE, we will be less likely to avoid it
responsiveness and sexual communication
since disclosures related to sexual conflicts are particularly associated with increased sense of personal vulnerability…
responsiveness becomes EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
interdependence dilemmas involve deciding whether to…
act COMMUNALLY (prioritize the partner’s needs over one’s own)
or INDIVIDUALISTICALLY (focusing on one’s own needs)
with increasing interdependence & commitment, TRANSFORMATION of MOTIVATION from individualistic to communal
individuals high in COMMUNAL STRENGTH…
are motivated to respond to partner in ways that will ENHANCE PARTNER’S WELLBEING
without expectation for tit-for-tat reciprocation
focus on COMPASSION rather than FAIRNESS
ie. experience more positive emotions and feel more relationship satisfaction on days when they sacrifice for the good of the partner or relationship
experience of more positive emotions and more relationship satisfaction on days when sacrificing for good of partner or relationship is mediated by…
feelings of authenticity
sexual communal strength
motivated to respond to partner in ways that will enhance partner’s sexual experiences
- willingness to meet partner’s sexual needs (even when diff from their own preferences)
- keeping an open mind and trying to understand partner’s desires
- or, if turning down partner, doing it sensitively - reassuring partner of love & continuing attraction
- also means understanding & accepting partner’s need not to engage in sex - responding with understanding instead of hostility or insecurity