EXTRADYADIC ROMANTIC INVOLVEMENT - MODERATING EFFECTS OF SOCIOSEXUALITY AND GENDER

In two separate experiments, the role of both sociosexuality (Simpson & Gangestad, 1991) and gender in moderating individuals' tendencies to pursue extradyadic relationships was examined Unmarried subjects, pre dominantly Anglo and Hispanic, reportedly in ''exclusive'' dating rela tionships were presented with opportunities to become involved in a ro mantic relationship across a variety of situations. Their willingness to disregard both their own involved relationship status as well as th eir potential partner's current relationship status was assessed. Acro ss experiments, individuals with an unrestricted sociosexual orientati on indicated a greater willingness to pursue extradyadic involvement a s evidenced by both self-report (Experiments 1 and 2) and behavioral ( Experiment 2) measures. Further, on self-report measures, men indicate d a greater willingness than did women to pursue extradyadic involveme nt. Gender differences disappeared on the behavioral measure. Finally, across experiments, subjects were less likely to pursue potential par tners who were described as currently involved (versus uninvolved). Th is latter factor failed to interact with either sociosexuality or gend er. Results are discussed from both evolutionary and cultural-continge ncy perspectives. Implications for practitioners are also presented.