bims-chumac 2021-08-15 papers

Issue of 2021–08–15
five papers selected by
Thomas Krichel, Open Library Society

Arch Sex Behav. 2021 Aug 13.

The Role of Emotion Projection, Sexual Desire, and Self-Rated Attractiveness in the Sexual Overperception Bias.

Iliana Samara, Tom S Roth, Mariska E Kret.

A consistent finding in the literature is that men overperceive sexual interest in women (i.e., sexual overperception bias). Several potential mechanisms have been proposed for this bias, including projecting one's own interest onto a given partner, sexual desire, and self-rated attractiveness. Here, we examined the influence of these factors in attraction detection accuracy during speed-dates. Sixty-seven participants (34 women) split in four groups went on a total of 10 speed-dates with all opposite-sex members of their group, resulting in 277 dates. The results showed that attraction detection accuracy was reliably predicted by projection of own interest in combination with participant sex. Specifically, men were more accurate than women in detecting attraction when they were not interested in their partner compared to when they were interested. These results are discussed in the wider context of arousal influencing detection of partner attraction.

Keywords: Attraction; Error Management Theory; Sexual overperception bias; Social perception; Speed-dating

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02017-5

Arch Sex Behav. 2021 Aug 09.

Meanings Ascribed to Sex and Commitment Among College-Attending and Non-College Emerging Adults: A Replication and Extension.

Spencer B Olmstead, Kayley D McMahan, Kristin M Anders.

The purpose of this study was to examine how meanings ascribed to sex and commitment vary based on educational background, gender, and other correlates using a large sample of college-attending and non-college emerging adults (ages 18-25; N = 669). Findings from our content analysis replicated previous research by identifying meanings focused on commitment (47.8%), flexibility (22.7%), and recreation (17.8%). We also found two additional meanings focused on finding a sexual connection (termed Connectors; 9.1%) and using sex to test relationship compatibility (termed Testers; 2.5%), which were not found in previous studies on sex and commitment. A greater proportion of women than men were in the Committers group, whereas a greater proportion of men than women were in the Recreationers group. A greater proportion of heterosexual than sexual minority participants were in the Committers group, whereas a greater proportion of sexual minority than heterosexual participants were in the Flexibles and Testers groups. A greater proportion of those in committed relationships than those in casual or no relationships were in the Committers group, whereas a greater proportion of those in casual relationships than those in committed or no relationships were in the Recreationers group. Those in the Recreationers group reported the greatest average number of hookup partners in the last 12 months (compared to all others), and those in the Recreationers and Testers groups reported the greatest average number of lifetime sexual partners (compared to all others). Implications for future research and sexual health education for emerging adults are discussed.

Keywords: Hooking up; Meanings for sex; Sex and commitment; Sexual partners

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02042-4

Cult Health Sex. 2021 Aug 08. 1-15

Cellphones and romantic relationships of young women in urban informal settlements in South Africa.

Andrew Gibbs, Samantha Willan, Rachel Jewkes.

Cellphones have impacted on people's intimate sexual relationships. Using the framework of relationship formation, maintenance and ending, we explore how cellphones and attendant social media have impacted on relationships among a group of young women living in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa. We conducted in-depth repeat interviews with 15 women enrolled in the Stepping Stones and Creating Futures trial, as well as group discussions and light-touch participant observation. Our data show that cellphones and social media are central to women's sexual relationships and allow women greater control over relationships - particularly their formation. However, cellphones and social media also enable greater control and monitoring by partners. In this study, cellphones were central in establishing (or not) trust in relationships, as well as being gifts, sometimes given by men to demonstrate love, but often becoming a snare for women who then struggled to end relationships because the phones 'remained' the property of the man. We conclude that while cellphones have created new spaces and opportunities for women's agency, overall the wider social and material forces of women's existence were deeply constraining and were the main driver of patterns in women's relationships.

Keywords: Intimate partner violence; South Africa; technology; urban; women

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2021.1953609

Front Hum Neurosci. 2021 ;15 685530

Are You Able to Trust Me? Analysis of the Relationships Between Personality Traits and the Assessment of Attractiveness and Trust.

Bernadetta Bartosik, Grzegorz M Wojcik, Aneta Brzezicka, Andrzej Kawiak.

Behavioral and neuroimaging studies show that people trust and collaborate with others based on a quick assessment of the facial appearance. Based on the morphological characteristics of the face, i.e., features, shape, or color, it is possible to determine health, attractiveness, trust, and some personality traits. The study attempts to indicate the features influencing the perception of attractiveness and trust. In order to select individual factors, a model of backward stepwise logistic regression was used, analyzing the results of the psychological tests and the attractiveness and trust survey. Statistical analysis made it possible to select the most important personality traits related to attractiveness and trust assessments.

Keywords: credibility; machine learning; regress algorithm; trust and distrust; trust and reputation management

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2021.685530