Romantic Context Research Articles

Like yourself, and others will follow: The role of target self-esteem in the association between being seen accurately and being liked in platonic and romantic first impressions.

When meeting people for the first time, we often strive to perceive others and express our own personalities accurately. Does this benefit social connection by promoting greater perceiver liking of targets, or might it instead hinder liking for some targets and in some contexts? In the present studies, we examined whether the links between accuracy and perceiver liking differ as a function of target self-esteem across two first impression contexts: a speed-dating context (N = 378, N = 4,797 dyads) and a platonic getting-acquainted context (exploratory sample: N = 557, N = 2,924 dyads; preregistered direct replication sample: N = 306, N = 1,683 dyads). In all samples and contexts, target self-esteem significantly moderated the association between accuracy and perceiver liking, such that accuracy was either positively related (platonic context) or unrelated (romantic context) to perceiver liking when targets were higher in self-esteem, yet accuracy was negatively related to perceiver liking when targets were lower in self-esteem, regardless of context. In sum, being seen accurately may have negative social implications for some targets and, especially, in higher stakes getting-acquainted contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Ignorance is not always bliss: A qualitative study of young adults' experiences with being ghosted

AbstractGhosting, or ignoring someone to end a relationship, is often considered a harmful aspect of growing digital connectivity. However, research on ghosting has focused on the experiences of European/European Americans in romantic contexts. Thus, we broadly explored experiences of being ghosted among 29 undergraduates primarily from underrepresented populations (75.9% Latinx, 6.9% Asian, 6.9% Black) in the United States. We conducted face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews regarding general experiences with being ghosted, a memorable experience of being ghosted, and attitudes toward ghosting. Inductive thematic analysis yielded eight themes surrounding the process of being ghosted (Sensing Shifts in Communication Patterns), ghosting attributions (Unreciprocated Feelings, Incompatibility), responses to ghosting (Stages of Grief, Various Coping Methods, Lost Respect for Ghoster, Insight from Experiencing Both Sides), and ghosting attitudes (Good Reasons). Future research might examine the role of both individual (e.g., cultural values) and situational (e.g., ghosting circumstance) factors in various trajectories of ghosting responses, as well as the psychological consequences of these trajectories.

“Could you not translate me?” sociability and performativity in Romantic translation

ABSTRACT Proposing a model through which to document Romantic translation that is focused on recovering the translators who organised its processes, the present article coordinates two recently prominent concepts; that is, sociability and performativity. It argues that these two terms should be studied in tandem, and that they require close attention to concrete material and technological practices and contexts of mediation in order to become fully tractable. The German-English historical novel Walladmor (1823–1824) is examined as a case study to demonstrate the potential of this article’s proposals for reading Romantic translation. This text initially appears as a pseudotranslation, and is such a key example of that mode that it was the first pseudotranslation to be branded as such; however, it soon morphs into a pseudo-backtranslation upon its translation into its pseudo-original language, revealing layers of performativity and sociability in this involuted interlinguistic movement. Building on this case, the article offers a detailed discussion of sociability and performativity in Romantic contexts and beyond, showing that the presumption all Romantic translation is service translation ignores its potential as a wellspring of creativity and freedom.

Transformation of Traditional Values to the Phenomenon of Santri Courtship in the Digital Era

This research aims to analyze how traditional values in Islamic boarding schools have transformed in the context of the dating phenomenon among Islamic boarding school students in the digital era. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, this research explores the influence of communication technology, such as social media, on student dating, which was previously strictly controlled by Islamic boarding school norms. Data was collected through observations, in-depth interviews, and document analysis, providing an in-depth picture of interactions between students and the use of digital media in romantic contexts. The research results show that Islamic boarding school students use social media as a means of dating, which often deviates from hard-line traditional values. This research identifies new dynamics where traditional and modern values collide and interact, creating a third space where norms and values are shaped and renegotiated. The implications of this research are essential for Islamic boarding school caregivers in formulating educational strategies relevant to today's technology and for policymakers in designing interventions that balance traditional values and students' freedom in the digital era.

Relationship of Objectified Short-Form Videos Exposure to Satisfaction and Objectification in Relationships Among Chinese Women: A Pilot Study

Studies have indicated the impact of exposure to objectifying media on objectification and relationship satisfaction from a romantic context. This study examined the association between viewing objectified short-form videos and self-and partner-objectification (i.e., objectifying one’s partner), as well as relationship satisfaction among Chinese women. The study participants comprised 241 Chinese women in romantic relationships who were recruited online. Participants completed measures of viewing objectified male and female videos, self-objectification (SO), partner-objectification (PO), and relationship satisfaction. The results showed a significant association between exposure to objectified female videos and SO, but not with relationship satisfaction. Exposure to objectified male videos was associated significantly with PO. The indirect effect of objectified male videos exposure on relationship satisfaction via PO was significant. This implies that PO plays an important role in relationship satisfaction as opposed to SO.

Women’s Endorsement of Heteronormative Dating Scripts is Predicted by Sexism, Feminist Identity, A Preference for Dominant Men, and A Preference Against Short-Term Relationships

Heteronormative dating scripts involve expectations for women and men to enact different behaviours in romantic contexts with one another, such as men paying on dates and making marriage proposals. While previous research has shown that sexism and feminist identity predicts the endorsement of these scripts, there is a lack of research on other potential predictors relevant to women’s personal preferences for partners and relationships. We examined these novel predictors in three online samples of single women in Australia (N1 = 112, N2 = 157, N3 = 189). Hierarchical regressions and an integrative meta-analysis identified that women’s endorsement of heteronormative dating scripts was predicted by higher benevolent sexism, higher hostile sexism, and lower feminist identity, as well as a greater preference for dominant men as partners and a lower preference for short-term relationships. In addition, path modelling suggested that a greater preference for male partner dominance partially explained the association between women’s benevolent sexism and the endorsement of these scripts. Overall, women’s endorsement of heteronormative dating scripts was more strongly related to their sexist attitudes than their partner or relationship preferences, suggesting that traditional romantic prescriptions are interconnected with gender inequalities, despite the relevance of personal preferences beyond sexism.

Nowhere to turn: A Black feminist autoethnography of interpersonal violence

In July 2020, rapper Megan Thee Stallion was shot by her then boyfriend Tory Lanez, a fellow rapper. The incident brought to the surface (again) a long, ongoing conversation about the experiences of Black women survivors of intimate partner violence, much like other high-profile cases (e.g., Tina Turner) have done before. Specifically, these cases show how Black men particularly can uphold patriarchal violence in intimate or romantic contexts. Moreover, these cases show the tensions that can arise when survivors seek help from law enforcement. For example, the idea of racial loyalty and not calling the police on a Black man and how this affects the options available to Black women. In other words, Black women often have nowhere to turn for help when they experience violence. In this article, I employ Black Feminist Autoethnography as a methodological framework to analyze a personal instance of road rage where I was attacked, to explore how Black women survivors make meaning of their experiences, the thought process behind their decision to involve the police, how Black men uphold patriarchal violence in non-intimate contexts, and how Black women resist or refuse to accept the violence. This analysis reveals the raced and gendered components underlying the private/public nature of interpersonal violence experienced by Black women and the relationship between intimate and non-intimate interpersonal violence. Implications for qualitative social work research and practice include the use of Black Feminist Autoethnography as a methodological framework to identify areas of empowerment, strength, and support for survivors of violence.

Love Sick: Attachment Anxiety and COVID-Era Romantic Encounters Among College Students

The current research explored how attachment anxiety influences attitudes and behaviors in romantic contexts among single emerging adults during COVID-19. Study 1 ( n = 242) revealed that, despite increased risk perceptions, emerging adults high in attachment anxiety report decreased cautiousness and a greater percentage of hook-ups outside their pod/bubble. Attitudes about masking with a romantic partner mirrored those of low anxiety emerging adults. In study 2 ( n = 186), we used a quasi-experimental design to explore whether romantic (vs. control) contexts differentially impact attitudes toward masking. High anxiety emerging adults reported somewhat increased risk perceptions across condition, but more negative attitudes toward masking and less confidence in helping a partner mask in the romantic (vs. control) condition. Low anxiety emerging adults’ attitudes and confidence were unaffected by condition. Results suggest that emerging adults high in anxiety, while generally more concerned about COVID, appeared to reduce cautiousness in romantic contexts.

Estreno absoluto: Concert Version of Felipe Pedrell’s La Celestina (1902) in Madrid’s Teatro de la Zarzuela (2022)

<i>Estreno absoluto</i>: Concert Version of Felipe Pedrell’s <i>La Celestina</i> (1902) in Madrid’s Teatro de la Zarzuela (2022)

Sexting coercion within romantic context: a test of Akers’ social learning theory

ABSTRACT Prior research has mainly focused on why individuals are engaging in sexting. However, little is known about sexting in intimate relationships, particularly sexting coercion. This study examined sexting coercion using social learning theory in a sample of young adults who had experience with a romantic relationship (N = 315, aged 14–28 years, 67.94% female). Individuals completed the sexting coercion scale and the social learning scale online. The results showed that over 33% of the respondents reported being victims of sexting coercion in an intimate relationship, while about 28% of them had perpetrated sexting coercion. The results suggest that sexting coercion in an intimate relationship is significantly predicted by differential association, differential reinforcement, and imitation. The findings of this study highlight the importance of exposing youth to evidence-based preventive educational interventions on sexting from the earliest age, based on the constructs of social learning theory. Practice Impact Statement The findings of this study of sexting coercion among young adults are relevant to educational programmes given recent evidence of the prevalence of sexting coercion victimisation and sexting coercion perpetration among youth in romantic relationships. The findings suggest that those who engage in sexting coercion use a social learning mechanism that should be considered when developing educational interventions to prevent sexting coercion.

Choice perseverance underlies pursuing a hard-to-get target in an avatar choice task.

People sometimes persistently pursue hard-to-get targets. Why people pursue such targets is unclear. Here, we hypothesized that choice perseverance, which is the tendency to repeat the same choice independent of the obtained outcomes, leads individuals to repeatedly choose a hard-to-get target, which consequently increases their preference for the target. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted an online experiment involving an avatar choice task in which the participants repeatedly selected one avatar, and the selected avatar expressed their valence reactions through facial expressions and voice. We defined “hard-to-get” and “easy-to-get” avatars by manipulating the outcome probability such that the hard-to-get avatars rarely provided a positive reaction when selected, while the easy-to-get avatars frequently did. We found that some participants repeatedly selected hard-to-get avatars (Pursuit group). Based on a simulation, we found that higher choice perseverance accounted for the pursuit of hard-to-get avatars and that the Pursuit group had significantly higher choice perseverance than the No-pursuit group. Model fitting to the choice data also supported that choice perseverance can account for the pursuit of hard-to-get avatars in the Pursuit group. Moreover, we found that although baseline attractiveness was comparable among all avatars used in the choice task, the attractiveness of the hard-to-get avatars was significantly increased only in the Pursuit group. Taken together, we conclude that people with high choice perseverance pursue hard-to-get targets, rendering such targets more attractive. The tolerance for negative outcomes might be an important factor for succeeding in our lives but sometimes triggers problematic behavior, such as stalking. The present findings may contribute to understanding the psychological mechanisms of passion and perseverance for one’s long-term goals, which are more general than the romantic context imitated in avatar choice.

Virtually in love: The role of anthropomorphism in virtual romantic relationships.

Romantic relationships are a cornerstone of human nature. Today, these relationships can potentially be fulfilled by virtual agents. Although previous psychological research has examined how human needs can be met by anthropomorphized agents, it has neglected virtual romantic relationships. This paper introduces the concept of romantic anthropomorphism (i.e. giving a non-human agent human-like characteristics in a romantic context) to help understand virtual romance. In three laboratory studies, we used romantic video games (RVGs) to examine how romantic anthropomorphism predicts relationship authenticity, desire for real-world relationship and mood (Studies 1A, 1B and 2) as well as real-world interpersonal behaviour (Study 2). Study 1A revealed that romantic anthropomorphism of a virtual agent predicted desire for a real-world relationship with the virtual agent and greater positive affect via feeling that the relationship built with the virtual agent was authentic. Study 1B replicated these results using a larger sample and a different RVG. Study 2 replicated these results, but revealed that playing RVGs failed to predict real-world behaviour in a subsequent interaction with a human confederate. This research identifies a unique way that people find connection in the modern world and provides novel insight into the fields of anthropomorphism, virtual interactions and relationship science.

Physical disability in romantic partner: Behavioral immune system theory fails to explain why women and men differ in their perceptions of potential romantic partners who are physically disabled

The research on mate choice has neglected preference for romantic partners of physically disabled individuals. In the present study we tested attractiveness evaluation of disabled individuals in a romantic context. Additionally, and according to the disease-avoidance mechanism proposed by behavioral immune system theory, individual differences in disgust sensitivity should result in prejudicial and negative responses against individuals with physical disabilities. This experimental study is the first to put this hypothesis to the test. Participants were presented with visual stimuli differing as a function of physical disability and were asked to rate them for attractiveness as a romantic partner. The results showed that women rate physically disabled men as more attractive as romantic partners than nondisabled men, while men rated physically disabled women less attractive as romantic partners than physically nondisabled women. Neither the perceived vulnerability to disease subscales nor pathogen and sexual disgust were associated with ratings of attractiveness of the disabled opposite sex as a romantic partner. These findings are inconsistent with the proposed association of disgust sensitivity and prejudicial attitudes towards physically disabled individuals; and they suggest, for the first time, that the perceptual effects of romantic attraction are different from those of general attraction for men but not women.

Canadian Adolescents' Experiences of Dating Violence: Associations with Social Power Imbalances.

A substantial minority of adolescents experience and use dating violence in their sexual and/or romantic relationships. Limited attention has been paid to exploring theory-driven questions about use and experience of adolescent dating violence (ADV), restricting knowledge about promising prevention targets for diverse groups of youth. To address this gap, this paper investigates whether factors tied to power imbalances (bullying, risk of social marginalization) are associated with patterns of ADV victimization and perpetration in a large sample of Canadian mid-adolescents. We used data from the 2017/2018 Health-Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study, a nationally representative sample of Canadian youth. Our study was comprised of adolescents who were in grades 9 or 10, and who had dated in the past 12 months (N = 3779). We assessed multiple forms of ADV and bullying victimization and perpetration. We also included six variables assessing adolescents' risk of social marginalization: gender, race/ethnicity, immigration status, family structure, food insecurity, and family affluence. We used latent class analysis to explore the ways adolescents experience and use different forms of ADV, and then examined whether factors tied to power imbalances (bullying, social marginalization) were associated with classes of ADV. Three ADV classes emerged in our sample: uninvolved (65.7%), psychological and cyber victimization only (28.9%), and mutual violence (5.4%). Bullying was most strongly associated with the mutual violence class, suggesting a transformation of power from peer to romantic contexts. Social marginalization variables were associated with ADV patterns in different ways, highlighting the need to use a critical and anti-oppressive lens in ADV research and prevention initiatives.

Justice Sensitivity in Intergroup Contexts: A Theoretical Framework

Individuals differ systematically in how much they are concerned with matters of justice or injustice. So far, in various domains of life, such as romantic relationships, work, and school contexts, dispositional justice sensitivity has been found to be a powerful predictor of individual-level processing and interpersonal behaviors. Yet, matters of justice and injustice often materialize at the group level, especially when conflicts about status, rights, and resources occur between groups. Here, we propose a theoretical framework to understand how different facets of justice sensitivity (i.e., victim, beneficiary/perpetrator, and observer sensitivities) are relevant for group-level processes in intergroup contexts. Integrating research on justice sensitivity and intergroup conflict, we develop several propositions regarding how and under which conditions justice sensitivity influences intergroup experiences, attitudes, and behaviors. We selectively review the existing empirical evidence that can speak to the validity of these propositions, and outline future research that can test our propositions.

The image of Venetian mirror in the magic storylines of P. P. Muratov and A. V. Chayanov

This article examines the role of the image of Venetian mirror in the novella &amp;ldquo;The Venetian Mirror&amp;rdquo; by P. Muratov and &amp;ldquo;The Venetian Mirror, or Remarkable Adventures of the Glass Man&amp;rdquo; by A. Chayanov, as well as their connotation with the literary tradition of the mirror image. Representation of the mirror as a bearer of supernatural power takes its roots in folklore. Image of the mirror and principle of mirroring hold an important place in the poetics of romanticists and symbolists, and gain popularity in literature of the 1920s. Analysis of the image of Venetian mirror in the works of Muratov and Chayanov demonstrates that both texts fall under the tradition of Venetian text of the Russian literature, as well as reveal similar motifs that indicate their typology for small magical prose. However, the author also determines the individual interpretations of the role of magical item in the life of the protagonists: if in A. Chayanov&amp;rsquo;s novella, the Venetian mirror changes the usual order of things, then in Muratov's novella it sets the tone of narration. The scientific novelty lies in functional comparison of the texts with magical storylines, in the center of which is the image of Venetian mirror. The author comes to the conclusion that the extensive use of magical elements in the romantic context by A. Chayanov is antipodal to &amp;nbsp;neutral intonations of P. Muratov. It is noted that Chayanov creates a neo-mythological story of the pursuit and cognition of &amp;ldquo;Self&amp;rdquo;, personal becoming; while Muratov in his novella realizes the myth of lost harmony.

“A Real Man Cries”: A Scoping of Filipino Masculinities Construction in Tweets

Online content can be a rich source of information on current constructions of masculinities and much can be explored on the digital’s role in masculinities construction (Light, 2013). This study compares and contrasts our current literature on masculinities with empirical qualitative data – that is, Filipino tweets. To do this, I analyzed tweets containing the phrase “ang tunay na lalake” (the real man) and the hashtag “#angtunaynalalake”. Using qualitative content analysis, the following themes were generated: 1) Romance and Masculinities which highlights heteronormativity of romantic context and the concept of “more deserving real man” – a construct produced through networked masculinity and within the context of fandom and bigotry; 2) Masculine Capital – highlights how rites of passage, specifically circumcision, can be overshadowed by masculine capital to the point that failing to meet the required masculine capital would render one as ‘de-circumcised’; and lastly, 3) Online Resistance to Hegemonic Masculinity – shows the use of jokes, sarcasm, and confrontation in questioning hegemonic masculinity. The results show both concern and hope for gender advocacy.

Family communication patterns and emerging adults’ attachment with parents and romantic partners

ABSTRACT Research has repeatedly shown the influences of family communication patterns on both individual well-being and family functioning. However, although attachment theory also emphasizes the significance of family interactions, very few studies have looked at the associations between family communication patterns and individuals’ attachment orientations. Relying on cross-sectional data collected from 238 emerging adults recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk), this study examined how family communication patterns related to emerging adults’ attachment orientations toward their parents and romantic partners. Results showed that conformity orientation consistently predicted attachment anxiety and avoidance in both parent-child and romantic contexts, while conversation orientation only predicted emerging adults’ attachment avoidance toward parents. Further, conversation orientation strengthened the positive associations between conformity orientation and attachment insecurity. Overall, the findings suggest that conformity-oriented family communication might lead to attachment anxiety and avoidance across emerging adults’ close relationships, and consensual families might have the least securely-attached emerging adults.

Overparenting and Emerging Adults’ Insecure Attachment With Parents and Romantic Partners

Attachment theory articulates that social and personal interactions influence individuals’ attachment characteristics. Although research has revealed various negative consequences of overparenting among offspring, very few studies have looked at the attachment features of overparented emerging adults. Relying on cross-sectional data collected from 231 emerging adults ( M age = 24.22 years, 57.1% females) recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk), the present study examined the associations between overparenting and emerging adults’ insecure attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and/or avoidance) in parent-offspring and romantic contexts, and if overparented emerging adults delay marriages. Results showed that overparenting was robustly associated with emerging adults’ insecure attachment with both parents and romantic partners, and overparented emerging adults were less likely to be married. Overall, the findings suggest that overparenting practices, although seemingly well-intentioned, might indeed create barriers for emerging adults to develop and maintain positive and healthy relationships.

Milan, l’autre patrie ?

Stendhal the “cosmopolitan” chose to call himself a Milanese: how to reconcile this cosmopolitanism inherited from the Enlightenment with the new demands of the “patriotism” born of the Revolution and Empire, and the changing geography of the mind (M. Crepon)? The importance attached to languages in general, and to the mother tongue in particular, in the European Romantic context encouraged Stendhal to be a “linguist in Milan”. But his infatuation with the Milanese language was not enough to define a sense of belonging, a “home away from home” (B. Cassin), while the French Revolution and the French language remained his reference point.