Back to Search Start Over

Social Power and Mate Attraction in Short-Term and Long-Term Relationships

Authors :
Tyler N. Livingston
Anthony M. Burns
Source :
Sexes, Vol 5, Iss 4, Pp 461-474 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Social power can activate behavior toward goal attainment. In the context of romantic and sexual relationships, social power may facilitate competitor derogation tactics and self-promotion tactics to attract a partner. We hypothesized that perceived invulnerability to harm would provide a pathway linking social power to competitor derogation, whereas self-perceived mate value would provide a pathway linking social power to self-promotion. Findings from 218 participants (Mage = 38 years) revealed that experimentally manipulated social power enhanced perceived invulnerability, which in turn was positively associated with competitor derogation. Social power did not affect ratings of self-perceived mate value. Women more strongly endorsed self-promotion in pursuit of a short-term (vs. long-term) relationship, whereas men’s ratings did not vary by relationship goal. Our findings suggested that social power may influence goal-directed thinking and behavior in the context of romantic and sexual relationships.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
24115118
Volume :
5
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sexes
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.942c2162bcf4701b2320306285251b0
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5040033