TY - JOUR
T1 - Social inclusion facilitates risky mating behavior in men
AU - Sacco, Donald F.
AU - Brown, Christina M.
AU - Young, Steven G.
AU - Bernstein, Michael J.
AU - Hugenberg, Kurt
PY - 2011/7
Y1 - 2011/7
N2 - Although past research has reliably established unique effects of social exclusion on human cognition and behavior, the current research focuses on the unique effects of social inclusion. Recent evidence indicates that social inclusion leads to enhanced prioritization of reproductive interests. The current study extends these findings by showing that the pursuit of these inclusion-induced reproductive goals occurs in sex-specific ways. Across three experiments, social inclusion led men, but not women, to endorse riskier, more aggressive mating strategies compared to control and socially excluded participants. Specifically, included men were more likely to endorse sexual aggression (Experiment 1), high-risk mate poaching behaviors (Experiment 2), and high-risk mate retention tactics (Experiment 3). These results demonstrate that the experience of social inclusion can affect sex-differentiated preferences for risky mating strategies.
AB - Although past research has reliably established unique effects of social exclusion on human cognition and behavior, the current research focuses on the unique effects of social inclusion. Recent evidence indicates that social inclusion leads to enhanced prioritization of reproductive interests. The current study extends these findings by showing that the pursuit of these inclusion-induced reproductive goals occurs in sex-specific ways. Across three experiments, social inclusion led men, but not women, to endorse riskier, more aggressive mating strategies compared to control and socially excluded participants. Specifically, included men were more likely to endorse sexual aggression (Experiment 1), high-risk mate poaching behaviors (Experiment 2), and high-risk mate retention tactics (Experiment 3). These results demonstrate that the experience of social inclusion can affect sex-differentiated preferences for risky mating strategies.
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U2 - 10.1177/0146167211405063
DO - 10.1177/0146167211405063
M3 - Article
C2 - 21518810
AN - SCOPUS:79957962326
SN - 0146-1672
VL - 37
SP - 985
EP - 998
JO - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
JF - Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
IS - 7
ER -