Commitment and Romantic Alternative Monitoring

This dissertation examines cognitive and behavioral factors involved in the management of potential alternative partners. Two studies are described here, each in a separate paper. The first study investigates perceptions of potential alternative partners as presented in an experimental paradigm (Study 1) and the second study examines links between alternative monitoring and relationship outcomes, measured longitudinally in survey research (Study 2). In the first study, Perceptual Downgrading and Relationship Commitment , I use a well-established paradigm to test a novel series of questions: Do individuals in committed relationships perceive attractive others as less attractive than single people do? This phenomenon is referred to as perceptual downgrading . I investigate if perceptual downgrading varies based on whether the alternative is presented as a threat to the current relationship, and if this phenomenon amplified for those who are happier in their relationship and/or more committed to their relationship. In the second study, Alternative Monitoring, Infidelity, and Break-Up , I evaluate whether and how alternative monitoring is linked with important relationship outcomes. There is strong theoretical rationale to expect that alternative monitoring would be associated with increased risk for both infidelity and relationship dissolution. However, the associations between alternative monitoring and these relationship outcomes remain unclear in the literature. Abstract Committing to a romantic partner typically includes a decision—or series of decisions—to give up other romantic options However, individuals continue to encounter alternative partners and must manage those interactions and attractions. Consequently, monitoring alternatives is considered an important mechanism whereby relationship maintenance may be undermined This study replicates analyses from a laboratory-based study of perceptual downgrading 2016) and examines whether perceptual downgrading occurs more strongly for those who score higher on measures of self-reported relationship happiness and relationship commitment. Participants were 242 adults who participated in an internet-based study. ANOVAs were used to investigate the hypothesized interactions and main effects. The hypotheses were not supported, as results were not consistent with a significant perceptual downgrading effect. There were also no significant differences by self-reported relationship happiness or commitment. Methodological differences between the current study and prior studies are explored, which may partially account for differences in findings. Future directions are identified, including recommendations for the use of within-person experimental designs. Abstract Monitoring alternative partners may be associated with engaging in behaviors that undermine relationship fidelity and/or stability. For example, paying attention to romantic alternatives has been shown to be associated with lower relationship quality Simeon 2005). Studies have just recently begun investigating the association between alternative monitoring and relationship outcomes, with many studies characterized by methodological limitations. This study aims to longitudinally explore whether and how alternative monitoring is associated with infidelity and break-up. Participants were 779 individuals drawn from a longitudinal study of unmarried opposite relationships (see Rhoades, Stanley, & Markman, 2010 for details). As hypothesized, alternative monitoring was higher for those who broke up and for those who reported infidelity, compared to those who remained together without infidelity. Additionally, increases in alternative monitoring preceded both break-up and infidelity, compared to trajectories for those who remained together and did not report infidelity. Also consistent with hypotheses, those who remained together following infidelity reported significantly higher levels of perceived constraint than those who broke up following infidelity. Those who remained together following infidelity also reported significantly larger increases in perceived constraint compared to those who broke up following infidelity. Results highlight the importance of measuring change in these relationship characteristics over time, rather than only considering mean differences at a single timepoint. Future directions and clinical implications are discussed.