The Role of Perceived Partner Responsiveness in Derogating Attractive Alternatives

How do people maintain their relationships in the face of relationship threats? Previous research has demonstrated that attractive alternative others are one of the common relationship threats that couples face. Here, I propose that perceiving one’s partner as responsive will act as a proactive factor against the threat of alternative others. Across two studies (N = 680 individuals), I predict that people who perceive their partners as responsiveness will report lower attractiveness ratings of alternative others and have lower intentions toward infidelity than people who perceive their partners as unresponsive. Moreover, this hypothesized association will be stronger for women compared to men. The present research will also demonstrate that perceived partner mate value will be potential mechanism between responsiveness and interest in alternative others. Implications for couples’ therapy are discussed.