title: Investigation of Consensually Nonmonogamous Relationships.
abstract: We proposed that the premise that monogamy is the exemplary form of romantic partnership underlies much theory and research on relationship quality, and we addressed how this bias has prompted methodological issues that make it difficult to effectively address the quality of nonmonogamous relationships. Because the idea that consensually nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships are functional (i.e., satisfying and of high quality) is controversial, we included a basic study to assess, in a variety of ways, the quality of these relationships. In that study, we found few differences in relationship functioning between individuals engaged in monogamy and those in CNM relationships. We then considered how existing theories could help researchers to understand CNM relationships and how CNM relationships could shed light on relationship processes, and we proposed a model of how CNM and monogamous relationships differ. Finally, in a second study, we determined that even researchers who present data about CNM are affected by the stigma surrounding such relationships. That is, researchers presenting findings favoring polyamory were perceived as more biased than researchers presenting findings favoring monogamy.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Conley
authors.affiliation: 2 Departments of Psychology and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsick
authors.affiliation: 3 College of Engineering, Purdue University.
authors.forename: Amy Catherine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Moors
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ziegler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007578:Jealousy; D008297:Male; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: commitment; consensual non-monogamy; jealousy; monogamy; relationship functioning; satisfaction; trust