Some Effects of Self-Monitoring, Perceived Norms, and Sex-Role Stereotypes on Romantic Betrayals
Year: 2005
Type: dissertation
Abstract: It was hypothesized that high self-monitors (compared to low self-monitors) would report more betrayals of their romantic partners. Perceptions of others' betrayals should follow sex-role stereotypes (i.e., males are more likely to betray than females). Sex-role stereotyping might be attenuated when counter-stereotypical norms are made salient. One-hundred seventy five undergraduates completed the Interpersonal Behavior Survey (Roscoe et aI., 1988) and the Self-Monitoring Scale (Snyder & Gangestad, 1986). Before doing so, participants read one of two instructional sets: females are more likely than males to betray their romantic partners; people in general are likely to betray their romantic partners. Participants responded to statements about romantic betrayals by a) themselves, b) typical males, and c) typical females. Compared to low self-monitors, high self-monitors reported more betrayals. Participants saw typical males as more likely than typical females to betray partners. This effect was attenuated by the counter-stereotypical instructional set. Three findings are noteworthy. First, likelihood to engage in romantic betrayals may be accounted for by individual differences in self-monitoring orientation. Second, sex-role stereotypes involving betrayals can apparently be counteracted to some degree simply through education. Third, self-monitoring and normative effects were largely independent.
Author: Alissa Anne Garth
Institution: University of North Florida
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Gender equality
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1596992418