Abstract
Sociosexuality refers to a personal predisposition to engage in uncommitted sex. Romantically involved individuals are more likely to engage in infidelity when more unrestricted in their sociosexuality and less committed to their current partners. However, commitment reliably predicts relationship maintenance and the activation of pro-relationship behaviors, regardless of sociosexuality levels. In two studies (Study 1: N=566 heterosexuals; M age=21.24, SD=4.45; Study 2: N=168 heterosexuals; M age=23.28, SD=5.60), the association between sociosexuality and commitment was examined. Replicating previous findings, men were more sociosexually unrestricted than women, and single individuals were more sociosexually unrestricted than their romantically involved counterparts (Study 1). Results also showed that more committed individuals were more restricted in their sociosexuality (Studies 1 and 2) and that commitment was negatively associated with physical and sexual attraction to an attractive person, regardless of sociosexuality levels (Study 2). Furthermore, commitment, but not sociosexuality, predicted sexual infidelity in the current relationship and this effect emerged even among sociosexually unrestricted individuals (Studies 1 and 2). No additional gender differences were found across studies. These results converge with findings suggesting that individuals shift their mating strategies and restrict their sociosexuality when in a romantic relationship and that commitment prevents relationship threatening behaviors such as sexual attraction or sexual infidelity.
Highlights
Sexuality is an important aspect of psychological adjustment and happiness (Mulhall, King, Glina, & Hvidsten, 2008), influencing mating strategies and the pursuit of potential partners (Buss, 1998; Buss & Barnes, 1986)
When motivated to maintain long-term committed romantic relationship, individuals are more likely to activate a common relational self (Aron, Mashek, & Aron, 2004) and commitment becomes more salient (Agnew, Van Lange, Rusbult, & Langston, 1998), which in turn promotes the activation of pro-relationship behaviors
Our results showed that highly committed individuals were more sociosexually restricted (Study 1), activate derogation by feeling less physically and sexually attracted to an unknown attractive target (Study 2), and were less likely to engage in extradyadic sex and sexual infidelity (Studies 1 and 2)
Summary
Sexuality is an important aspect of psychological adjustment and happiness (Mulhall, King, Glina, & Hvidsten, 2008), influencing mating strategies and the pursuit of potential partners (Buss, 1998; Buss & Barnes, 1986). Involved individuals are more likely to engage in infidelity when more unrestricted in their sociosexuality and less committed to their current partners.
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