Oct 29 Flashcards

1
Q

communication & sexual interest - recall the…

A

interpersonal gap between sender’s intentions and effect on receiver

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2
Q

in initial encounters, men tend to exhibit…

A

sexual overperception bias

  1. perceive GREATER SEXUAL INTENT in women’s behaviour compared to:

a) women’s self-reported intent
b) outsider observer woman ratings

  1. ascribe more sexual intent to flirting behaviour
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3
Q

communication & sexual interested - may _____ desires…

A

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

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4
Q

what mediates relationship between sexual activation and perceived potential partners as more attractive and more interested in oneself?

A

heightened romantic interest

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5
Q

communication & sexual interest in long-term, established couples

A

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
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6
Q

men might be biased in direction of under-perception to…

A

avoid rejection

stronger under-perception bias on days when more motivated to avoid sexual rejection (both men and women)

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7
Q

sexual communication is a combo of…

A
  1. degree of SEXUAL SELF-DISCLOSURE
  2. QUALITY of sexual communication
  3. FREQUENCY of sexual communication
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8
Q

sexual self-disclosure

A

discussion of sexual preferences

desire to engage in certain activities

sexual attitudes & values

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9
Q

quality of sexual communication

A

satisfaction with communication

feeling that one can talk to partner about pos & neg aspects of sexual relationship

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10
Q

sexual communication is associated with…

A
  1. improvements in all domains of sexual function (desire, arousal, erection, lubrication, orgasm, less pain)
  2. greater sexual satisfaction
  3. greater relationship satisfaction
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11
Q

sexual communication uniquely predicts…

A

sexual and relationship satisfaction

over and above general communications

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12
Q

better sexual communication in gay & lesbian couples…

A

may contribute to more enjoyable sexual experiences

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13
Q

what fraction of couples in long term relationships report experiencing sexual issues?

A

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

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14
Q

what types of conflicts have stronger impact on relationship quality?

A

sexual conflicts

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15
Q

despite benefits of sexual communication…

A

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

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16
Q

barriers to sexual communication

A
  1. desire to AVOID NEGATIVE EMOTION is a powerful motivator
  2. fear that sexual communication will THREATEN RELATIONSHIP
  3. fear of experiencing SHAME & EMBARRASSMENT
  4. dear that might HURT or SHAME PARTNER

(similar barriers for both sexual and non-sexual conflict discussions - ie. threat to relationship, self, partner)

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17
Q

fear that sexual communication will THREATEN RELATIONSHIP

A
  • may discover incompatible preferences
  • talking about problems may make things worse
  • disclosing past sexual experiences may cause conflict
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18
Q

sexual discussions are _________ _________ to the self

A

especially threatening

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19
Q

cognitive reappraisal

A

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

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20
Q

responsiveness and sexual communication

A

since disclosures related to sexual conflicts are particularly associated with increased sense of personal vulnerability…

responsiveness becomes EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

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21
Q

interdependence dilemmas involve deciding whether to…

A

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

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22
Q

individuals high in COMMUNAL STRENGTH…

A

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

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23
Q

experience of more positive emotions and more relationship satisfaction on days when sacrificing for good of partner or relationship is mediated by…

A

feelings of authenticity

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24
Q

sexual communal strength

A

motivated to respond to partner in ways that will enhance partner’s sexual experiences

  1. willingness to meet partner’s sexual needs (even when diff from their own preferences)
  2. keeping an open mind and trying to understand partner’s desires
  3. or, if turning down partner, doing it sensitively - reassuring partner of love & continuing attraction
  4. also means understanding & accepting partner’s need not to engage in sex - responding with understanding instead of hostility or insecurity
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25
Q

when one partner is higher in sexual communal strength…

A

both partner experience more sexual & relationship satisfaction

26
Q

whereas individuals low in sexual communal strength felt lower sexual satisfaction on days when they engaged in sex while not really in the mood…

A

people high in sexual communal strength felt EQUALLY satisfied on MATCHED and MISMATCHED desire days

because of their commitment/transformation of motivation to prioritize partner’s desire

27
Q

important caveats to sexual communal strength

A

only beneficial when motivation to meet partner’s needs comes from a PLACE OF AGENCY

feels AUTHENTIC and AUTONOMOUSLY chosen

not the same as pressure or coercion

28
Q

unmitigated communion

A

trait

high: focus exclusively on partner’s needs to the EXCLUSION OF ONE’S OWN

29
Q

high unmitigated communion individuals

A

experience less sexual and relationship satisfaction

whereas sexual communal strength is associated with APPROACH GOALS, unmitigated sexual communion may be driven by FEELINGS OF INSECURITY/OBLIGATION

30
Q

friends with benefits

A
  1. report fairly high levels of sexual SATISFACTION
  • but NOT AS HIGH AS people in committed relationships
  1. lower levels of sexual COMMUNICATION

(ie. discussion of sexual needs & desires)

  1. presumably, less interdependence > fewer interdependence dilemmas, but ALSO lower motivation to meet partner’s needs
31
Q

affection

A

duration of post-sex affection (ie. cuddling) associated with greater sexual & relationship satisfaction

MORE IMPORTANT than SEX DURATION and FOREPLAY

for both men and women

especially important for couples with kids

32
Q

post-sex affection is a surprisingly big…

A

predictor of relationship satisfaction for both men and women

33
Q

affectionate touch (cuddling, kissing, caressing) mediates relationship between…

A

sexual frequency and greater life satisfaction

the affection aspect of sex is what provides value

not just the physical play by play

34
Q

affectionate touch: experience sampling study

A

having sex predicts more affectionate experiences later that day

subsequent positive affect

35
Q

anxious attachment and sex

A

WORRY about:

  1. sexual attractiveness & desirability
  2. mate poaching

USE SEX to:

  1. meet needs to be closer to partner
  2. extract greater commitment
  3. decrease feelings of anxiety & distress

EXPERIENCE less sexual satisfaction

STRONGER link between sexual satisfaction & relationship satisfaction

36
Q

anxiously attached people tend to use sex to… which may contribute to…

A
  1. meet needs to be closer to partner
  2. extract greater commitment
  3. decrease feelings of anxiety & distress

may contribute to COERCIVE/INTRUSIVE BEHAVIOUR

37
Q

anxioously attached people focus on pleasing partner but…

A

seem to be driven more by AVOIDANCE motivations

however, their partners don’t necessarily REPORT LOWER SATISFACTION

which is surprising given what we’ve learned about outcomes of avoidance motivation on partner satisfaction

38
Q

anxiously attached people experience less…

A

SEXUAL SATISFACTION

  • less motivated by focus on own physical pleasure
  • less likely to communicate sexual needs & preferences to partner

also places then at GREATER RISK for engaging in unsafe sexual practices

39
Q

anxiously attached people have a greater link between…

A

sexual satisfaction & relationship satisfaction

may use sex as a “barometer” of what’s going on in the relationship

40
Q

avoidant attachment: discomfort with closeness may…

A

interfere with psychological intimacy in sexual situations

41
Q

are avoidant adolescents less likely to engage in sexual activity?

A

yes

  1. engage in sex to “lose their virginity”
  2. experience less positive affect
  3. more likely to drink or use drugs prior to having sex (to protect against emotional vulnerability/intimacy)
42
Q

avoidant attachment: as adults…

A

higher in SOI

more promiscuous
(not explained by sexual desire)

more one-night stands

poach mates for one-night stands

dislike intimate/affectionate aspects of sex

43
Q

avoidantly attached individuals may have sex for…

A
  1. self-enhancement and self-presentation motives

ie. to boost social status

  1. in relationships, to avoid negative partner affect
  • more of an exchange perspective when it comes to sex
44
Q

avoidantly attached people have a weaker link…

A

between sexual satisfaction & relationship satisfaction

in contrast to anxiously attached individuals

overall relationship satisfaction is less affected by positive and negative sex experiences

45
Q

secure attachment and sex

A
  1. COMFORTABLE with closeness & interdependence
  • may be inclined toward LONG TERM SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP because have learned that relationships are satisfying
  1. positive MODELS of OTHER
  • see others as caring & well-intentioned
  • may facilitate effective communication
  1. positive MODELS of SELF
  • feel more desired & valued
  • can relax defenses and “let go”
46
Q

sexual interactions may buffer against negative effect of…

A

attachment security on relationship satisfaction

ie. attachment avoidance unrelated to marital satisfaction among spouses who had sex more frequently

47
Q

anxious attachment unrelated to marital satisfaction on days when spouses report…

A

having more satisfying sex

48
Q

consensual non-monogamy (CNM)

A

umbrella term for various ways couples agree to experience sexual and/or emotional intimacy with multiple people

49
Q

3 broad types of CNM

A
  1. swinging
  2. open relationships
  3. polyamory
50
Q

swinging

A

committed couples temporarily exchange partner for sex

or

include others in their sex life

ie. secret lives of mormon wives sex parties

51
Q

open relationships

A

explicit agreement between committed partners

that each may pursue sexual connections with other people

but are still emotionally committed to each other

52
Q

polyamory

A

engaging in ongoing emotional and sexual relationships

with multiple people

with knowledge and consent of all parties involves

arranged through mutual discussion, boundaries are set and agreed upon

53
Q

CNM prevalence

A

20% of Americans & Canadians report experiencing some form of CNM in the past

4% report being in one now

12% consider it to be ideal form of relationship

54
Q

who tends to be less likely to be open to CNM?

A

women

heterosexual people

individuals lower in SOI

55
Q

factors predicting INTEREST in CNM

A
  1. short-term SOI
  2. beliefs that love isn’t zero sum (it isn’t diminished by being shared between multiple people)
  3. attachment avoidance
  4. greater perception of availability of attractive alternatives

BUT INTEREST DOESN’T MEAN PARTICIPATION

56
Q

attachment and interest in CNM

A

attachment avoidance predicts greater INTEREST in CNM

but it’s NEGATIVELY RELATED to actually engaging in CNM

57
Q

commitment is negatively associated with attraction to CNM through…

A

lower perceived quality of alternatives

58
Q

while generally CNM is negatively perceived…

A

individuals high in CNM relationships rate levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction EQUALLY HIGHLY or SLIGHTLY HIGHER as non-CNM couples

59
Q

CNM spillover effect

A

for men

men who are more sexually fulfilled in secondary relationship reported greater relationship satisfaction with primary partner

but women who were more sexually fulfilled with secondary partner reported lower sexual satisfaction in their primary relationship

60
Q

consensual non-monogamy - most extant research is… and what kind of bias?

A

cross-sectional

survivorship bias

61
Q

prospective study of CNM

A
  1. opening up relationship didn’t change personal or relational wellbeing over 2 month period
  2. but related to increase in sexual satisfaction over 2 months
  • effect most pronounced among individuals motivated by sexual incompatibility
62
Q

prospective study of CNM limitations

A

short term study

only sampled 1 member of the couple (likely the most enthusiastic one)