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Sexual Double Standard

Different standards for judging sexual behavior depending on gender, often judging women’s sexual behavior more harshly than men’s.

Extradyadic Sex

Sexual activity outside a committed relationship.

Sociosexual Orientation

A person’s willingness to engage in sex without emotional commitment.

Restricted sociosexual orientation

Preference for sex within committed relationships.

Unrestricted sociosexual orientation

Comfort with casual sex.

Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM)

Relationships where partners agree to have multiple sexual or romantic relationships.

Open relationships

Partners allow outside sexual relationships.

Swinging

Couples exchange sexual partners.

Polyamory

Multiple loving relationships at the same time.

Sex Drive Differences

On average, men report more frequent sexual thoughts, greater desire for sex, and more interest in casual sex.

Illusion of Unique Invulnerability

Believing bad things are more likely to happen to others than yourself.

Alcohol Myopia

Alcohol reduces the ability to consider long-term consequences.

Pluralistic Ignorance

People incorrectly believe others think or behave differently than they actually do.

Sexual Coercion

Pressuring or forcing someone into unwanted sexual activity.

Mate Guarding

Behaviours people use to protect their romantic relationships from potential rivals.

Reactive Jealousy

Jealousy caused by an actual threat to the relationship.

Suspicious Jealousy

Jealousy that occurs when there is no evidence of wrongdoing.

Attachment Styles

Different patterns of attachment that influence how people react to relationship threats.

Secure Attachment

Associated with better communication, greater sexual satisfaction, and more comfort with intimacy.

Avoidant Attachment

Associated with less emotional intimacy and more casual sex.

Anxious Attachment

Associated with need for reassurance, fear of rejection, and difficulty setting boundaries.

Mate Poaching

Behaviour intended to attract someone who is already in a romantic relationship.

Enduring Vulnerabilities

Personal characteristics brought into a marriage that affect its durability.

Stress Spillover

When stress from one area of life spills over into marital quality.

Power Differences

People with less power in relationships may have difficulty negotiating condom use

Stealthing

Removing a condom during sex without a partner’s knowledge or consent. Considered a violation of consent and can increase STI risk.

Sexual Satisfaction

The strongest predictors: Relationship Quality

People enjoy sex more when they:

• Love their partner

• Feel committed

• Feel respected

Sexual Communication

Talking openly about sex improves sexual satisfaction.

Good communication includes:

• Expressing desires

• Giving feedback

• Discussing boundaries

Sexual Growth Beliefs

Good sex develops through effort, communication, and learning.

Sexual Destiny Beliefs

Great sex happens naturally with the “right” partner.

Bőthe et al. (2017)

What was done:

Researchers studied beliefs about sexual relationships.

Findings:

People with growth beliefs reported greater sexual satisfaction.

Importance:

Sexual satisfaction can improve through effort.

Four Types of Sexual Violation

1. Verbal coercion + unwanted touching

2. Verbal coercion + intercourse

3. Physical force + touching

4. Physical force + intercourse

Jealousy requires two things:

1. A relationship that someone values

2. A rival who threatens that relationship

“To be jealous, one must have a relationship to lose and a rival to whom to lose it.”

Jealousy

Fear of losing something you already have

Involves a rival threatening a relationship

Example: “My partner might leave me for someone else.”

Envy

Wanting something another person has

Involves desire for another person’s possessions/status

Example: “I wish I had their attractiveness or success.”

Relationship Dependence

People are more jealous when they feel they have fewer alternatives.

Concept: CLalt (Comparison Level for Alternatives)

Low CLalt:

• Few possible partners

• More dependent on current relationship

• Greater jealousy

High CLalt:

• More confidence in finding another partner

• Less jealousy

Personality Traits Linked to JealousyHigher jealousy:Negative emotionality

People who worry frequently are more likely to become jealous.

Dark Triad traits:

Includes:

Narcissism

• Self-centeredness

• Need for admiration

Machiavellianism

• Manipulation

• Strategic behavior

Psychopathy

• Lack of empathy

• Impulsivity

Partners of people high in Dark Triad traits may experience more jealousy because these individuals are more likely to:

• Cheat

• Manipulate

• Create jealousy intentionally