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This study investigates sex differences in human jealousy through forced-choice, continuous rating scales, and physiological responses. The research finds that men are more distressed by sexual infidelity, while women show greater distress over emotional infidelity, across multiple cultures. The study includes 47 participants and employs various measures to assess reactions. Results indicate different physiological responses, shedding light on the evolutionary theories of jealousy. Strengths of the study include the use of multiple assessment methods, despite limitations in addressing the underlying reasons for these differences.
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Sex Differences in Human Jealousy Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94. By Rachel Anderson & Colleen Burns
Evolutionary psychology research has found… • Male and female jealousy is evoked by different threats! • Males Sexual infidelity • Females Emotional infidelity • Found in many cultures.. A human universal? • U.S., Netherlands, Germany, Korea, Japan, Sweden Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
3 ways to study sex differences in human jealousy: • 1) Forced-choice studies • Which event is more upsetting? • 2) Continuous rating-scales • Report emotional reactions. • 3) Physiological responses • Heart rate, electrodermal activity, electromyographic activity, blood pressure, temperature Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
Problems with previous studies… • Harris (2002): • Different studies find different proportions • Only one physiological measure showed sex differences (Buss et al. 1992) • Attempts to replicate failed to find female differences between the 2 threat types • Previous studies employ only one method Opposing theory: sexual infidelity implies emotional infidelity and vice versa. Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
Sex differences in human jealousy • Current Study Methods: • 47 undergrads (25 female, 22 male) • Use all three measures on each participant: • Forced choice • Continuous rating-scale • Physiological measures Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
Results/Findings Forced Choice: • 73% of males reported greater distress over sexual infidelity • 96% of females reported greater distress over emotional infidelity Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
Results cont’d.. Continuous rating-scale • Men: greater anger, rage, betrayal : sexual infidelity • Women: greater anger, anxiety, fear : emotional infidelity Physiological measures • men: more responsive to sexual • women: more responsive to emotional Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
Conclusions: • Generalized autonomic arousal is elicited in response to different types of relationship threats in men and women. • Rage, betrayal male response to sexual infidelity • Anxiety, fear female response to emotional infidelity • Corroborates evolutionary theory of sexually differentiated jealousy response systems! Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.
Critical Review • Strengths: • 1) 3 measures strengthen findings • 2) opens doors to finding specific mechanism • Weaknesses: • 1) fails to discuss the why question Pietrzak, R.H., Laird, J.D., Stevens, D.A., Thompson, N.S. (2002). Sex differences in human jealousy: a coordinated study of forced-choice, continuous rating-scale, and physiological responses on the same subjects. Evolution and Human Behavior, 23, 83-94.