Human mate poaching: tactics and tempations for infiltrating existing mateships.
The authors explored the psychology of romantically attracting someone who is already in a relationship--what can be called the process of human mate poaching. In Study 1 (N = 236), they found that attempts at poaching were relatively common and were linked with distinctive personality dispositions. Study 2 (N = 220) documented that the perceived costs and benefits of poaching differed somewhat for men and women and depended on whether short-term or long-term poaching outcomes were targeted. Study 3 (N = 453) found support for 5 evolution-based hypotheses about the perceived effectiveness of poaching tactics. Study 4 (N = 333) found that poaching effectiveness was influenced by the type of relationship being encroached on-marital, dating, long distance, highly committed, just beginning, or about to end. Discussion focuses on the importance of placing mate poaching within the broader context of human sexual strategies.
Schmitt
D P
DP
Department of Psychology, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois 61625, USA. dps@bradley.edu
Buss
D M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005114:Extramarital Relations; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality; D012725:Sexual Behavior