Female perception of a partner's mate value discrepancy and controlling behaviour in romantic relationships.
Mate value discrepancy (MVD) between heterosexual partners is an important factor influencing relationship satisfaction which, in turn, has an effect on the quality and the stability of the relationship. Therefore, partners' involvement in mate retention behaviours, such as controlling behaviours, can be related to MVD and our study aims to determine whether such an association exists. In order to do so, we analysed female perception of MVD and their opinion regarding the intensity of controlling behaviours performed by themselves as well as their romantic partners. Female perception of the intensity of controlling behaviours performed by both partners was the highest in couples where a woman assesses her own mate value (MV) as higher than her partner's MV and significantly different than in relationships where male MV exceeded those of the female. Our study also indicates that MVD should be taken into account when analysing sex differences in intensities of mate retention behaviours. Finally, we provide evidence supporting the significance of the relationship length for controlling behaviour intensity. Findings are discussed within an evolutionary perspective.
Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland.
Dariusz P
DP
Danel
Department of Physiology, Wroclaw Medical University, ul. T. Chalubinskiego 10, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland.
Agnieszka
A
Siennicka
Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland.
Kinga
K
Glińska
Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, Roehampton Lane, London, UK.
Piotr
P
Fedurek
Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland.
Natalia
N
Nowak-Szczepańska
Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Rudolfa Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland.
Ewa A
EA
Jankowska
Department of Human Biology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Kuznicza 35, 50-138 Wroclaw, Poland.
Bogusław
B
Pawłowski
Department of Human Biology, Chair of Physiotherapy Foundations, Faculty of Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, al. I. J. Paderewskiego 35, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland.
Zdzisław
Z
Lewandowski
Controlling behaviour; Heterosexual romantic relationships; Mate retention behaviours; Mate value; Mate value difference