Stephanie S Spielmann
Biographic Data
| ID | 650499 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Stephanie S Spielmann |
| GIVEN NAMES | Stephanie S |
| FAMILY NAME | Spielmann |
| SIGNATURE | SPIELMANN S S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Toronto |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5683-9292 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 87 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 17 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Give Up the Ghost: Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Ambiguous Rejection
Ghosting—or indirectly ceasing communication to end a relationship—has become common with the rising popularity of online dating. Despite its ubiquity, little is known regarding the immediate causal impact of being ghosted compared to explicit rejection. In two studies, participants were immersed in a sequential dating scenario simulating the early development of an online relationship to experimentally test emotional and behavioral responses to …
Pursuing Relationships or Avoiding Singlehood? Differentiating Singles' Fear of Being Single, Desire for a Relationship, and Satisfaction With Relationship Status
Attitudes toward singlehood have been operationally and methodologically framed in different ways, with some focused on desire for relational pursuit, some on satisfaction or contentment with singlehood, and others focused on negative affect or experiences associated with singlehood. The present research explores whether measures such as fear of being single (FOBS), desire for a relationship (DFR), and satisfaction with relationship status (SWRS)…
Validating the fear of being single scale for individuals in relationships
The Fear of Being Single (FOBS) Scale (Spielmann et al., 2013) assesses insecurity about singlehood, but its items are phrased for those who are currently single. The present research validated the FOBS in Relationships Scale for individuals currently in relationships. Results suggested that both single and partnered individuals experience FOBS, and that the FOBS Scale and FOBS in Relationships Scale are appropriate measures for single and partne…
Lack of Intimacy Prospectively Predicts Breakup
In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined whether and how lack of intimacy or meaningful connection to a romantic partner (i.e., low social reward) and concerns over negative evaluation by the partner (i.e., high social threat) each predict dissolution of a relationship as well as adjustment when a breakup occurs. Our results showed that those who perceived lower levels of reward during the relationship were more likely to experience a …
Detectability and desirability of fear of being single in online dating profiles
Objective Those who fear being single generally do not have difficulty attracting prospective partners. The present research explores whether this is because daters cannot detect fear of being single, or because detected fear of being single does not hinder desirability. Method In Study 1 ( N = 235, 60% women, M age = 36.9), participants created dating profiles then rated the desirability of profiles depicting high versus low fear of being single…
Fear of being single priming predicts maladaptive relationship pursuits
We tested a priming paradigm for inducing fear of being single, and explored its causal role on longing for ex‐partners and settling for less. In Studies 1 and 2, fear of being single was primed by focusing on positive/negative aspects of singlehood/relationships. In Study 3, the paradigm focused only on the positive/negative aspects of singlehood and included a no‐task control. Across studies, focusing on negative aspects of singlehood produced …
Relationship quality and accuracy of detecting a romantic partner's fear of being single
The predictive effects of fear of being single on physical attractiveness and less selective partner selection strategies
Fear of being single (FOBS) tends to predict settling for less when seeking a romantic partner. The present research sought to examine whether this is due, at least in part, to lower physical attractiveness among those who fear being single. In a photo-rating study (Study 1, N = 122) and a speed-dating study (Study 2, N = 171), participants completed the FOBS Scale, rated perceptions of their own physical attractiveness, and were then rated on ph…
Distinguishing Dismissing From Fearful Attachment in the Association Between Closeness and Commitment
When avoidantly attached individuals are simultaneously high in attachment anxiety, they are inclined to experience strong internal conflicts between seeking and avoiding closeness. This research examined whether the extent to which closeness, assessed as the inclusion of other in the self (IOS), is associated with greater commitment varies within individuals high in attachment avoidance as a result of differences in ambivalence toward maintainin…
How interdependent are stay/leave decisions? On staying in the relationship for the sake of the romantic partner
The decision to end a romantic relationship can have a life-changing impact on the partner as well as the self. Research on close relationships has thus far focused on self-interested reasons why people choose to stay in their relationship versus leave. However, a growing body of research on decision-making and prosociality shows that when people make decisions that impact others, they take those others' feelings and perspectives into considerati…
Longing for Ex‐Partners out of Fear of Being Single
This research investigated whether people who fear being single have a more difficult time letting go of ex‐partners following a romantic breakup. Data were collected in a cross‐sectional study ( N = 209, 64% women, M age = 30 years old) as well as a 1‐month daily experience study of individuals who just went through a romantic breakup ( N = 117, 44% women, M age = 27 years old). Findings from both studies revealed that those with stronger fear o…
Nice guys finish first when presented second: Responsive daters are evaluated more positively following exposure to unresponsive daters
Ex Appeal: Current Relationship Quality and Emotional Attachment to Ex-Partners
Relationship research typically treats feelings about current romantic partners as independent of any lingering attachment to past partners. In contrast, the current study tests for an inverse association between current relationship quality and attachment to ex-partners. A longitudinal study followed individuals in relationships at three points over the course of 6 months. Participants reported their current relationship quality, emotional attac…
Settling for less out of fear of being single
The present research demonstrates that fear of being single predicts settling for less in romantic relationships, even accounting for constructs typically examined in relationship research such as anxious attachment. Study 1 explored the content of people's thoughts about being single. Studies 2A and 2B involved the development and validation of the Fear of Being Single Scale. Study 2C provided preliminary support for the hypothesis that fear of …
The independent contributions of social reward and threat perceptions to romantic commitment
Although separate literatures have emerged on effects of social threats (i.e., rejection and negative evaluation) and rewards (i.e., connection and intimacy) on the process of commitment to a romantic relationship, no research has examined the influence of both simultaneously. Using an attachment framework, we examined the relation of social threats and rewards to investment model constructs (i.e., commitment, satisfaction, investment, quality of…
Insecure attachment predicts ambivalent social threat and reward perceptions in romantic relationships
Although theoretical perspectives on adult attachment forward relational ambivalence as a defining characteristic of at least some forms of insecurity, work demonstrating an ambivalent structure to the relational attitudes of insecure individuals has been rare. The current research examines the similarity and intensity of perceptions of social threat (i.e., concerns over rejection) and social reward (i.e., opportunities for intimacy) in romantic …
Social threat, social reward, and regulation of investment in romantic relationships
Regulation of romantic investment is often examined in terms of concerns over self‐protection. Perceived opportunity for intimate connection has been an overlooked motivational force in investment decisions. In 4 studies, participants assessed risks of rejection and opportunity for connection from future partners (among single participants), current partners (among coupled participants), and ex‐partners (all participants). Beyond rejection risks,…
Settling for less out of fear of being single
The present research demonstrates that fear of being single predicts settling for less in romantic relationships, even accounting for constructs typically examined in relationship research such as anxious attachment. Study 1 explored the content of people's thoughts about being single. Studies 2A and 2B involved the development and validation of the Fear of Being Single Scale. Study 2C provided preliminary support for the hypothesis that fear of …
The predictive effects of fear of being single on physical attractiveness and less selective partner selection strategies
Fear of being single (FOBS) tends to predict settling for less when seeking a romantic partner. The present research sought to examine whether this is due, at least in part, to lower physical attractiveness among those who fear being single. In a photo-rating study (Study 1, N = 122) and a speed-dating study (Study 2, N = 171), participants completed the FOBS Scale, rated perceptions of their own physical attractiveness, and were then rated on ph…
How interdependent are stay/leave decisions? On staying in the relationship for the sake of the romantic partner
The decision to end a romantic relationship can have a life-changing impact on the partner as well as the self. Research on close relationships has thus far focused on self-interested reasons why people choose to stay in their relationship versus leave. However, a growing body of research on decision-making and prosociality shows that when people make decisions that impact others, they take those others' feelings and perspectives into considerati…
Insecure attachment predicts ambivalent social threat and reward perceptions in romantic relationships
Although theoretical perspectives on adult attachment forward relational ambivalence as a defining characteristic of at least some forms of insecurity, work demonstrating an ambivalent structure to the relational attitudes of insecure individuals has been rare. The current research examines the similarity and intensity of perceptions of social threat (i.e., concerns over rejection) and social reward (i.e., opportunities for intimacy) in romantic …
The independent contributions of social reward and threat perceptions to romantic commitment
Although separate literatures have emerged on effects of social threats (i.e., rejection and negative evaluation) and rewards (i.e., connection and intimacy) on the process of commitment to a romantic relationship, no research has examined the influence of both simultaneously. Using an attachment framework, we examined the relation of social threats and rewards to investment model constructs (i.e., commitment, satisfaction, investment, quality of…
Validating the fear of being single scale for individuals in relationships
The Fear of Being Single (FOBS) Scale (Spielmann et al., 2013) assesses insecurity about singlehood, but its items are phrased for those who are currently single. The present research validated the FOBS in Relationships Scale for individuals currently in relationships. Results suggested that both single and partnered individuals experience FOBS, and that the FOBS Scale and FOBS in Relationships Scale are appropriate measures for single and partne…
Relationship quality and accuracy of detecting a romantic partner's fear of being single
Nice guys finish first when presented second: Responsive daters are evaluated more positively following exposure to unresponsive daters
Social threat, social reward, and regulation of investment in romantic relationships
Regulation of romantic investment is often examined in terms of concerns over self‐protection. Perceived opportunity for intimate connection has been an overlooked motivational force in investment decisions. In 4 studies, participants assessed risks of rejection and opportunity for connection from future partners (among single participants), current partners (among coupled participants), and ex‐partners (all participants). Beyond rejection risks,…
Ex Appeal: Current Relationship Quality and Emotional Attachment to Ex-Partners
Relationship research typically treats feelings about current romantic partners as independent of any lingering attachment to past partners. In contrast, the current study tests for an inverse association between current relationship quality and attachment to ex-partners. A longitudinal study followed individuals in relationships at three points over the course of 6 months. Participants reported their current relationship quality, emotional attac…
Settling for less out of fear of being single
The present research demonstrates that fear of being single predicts settling for less in romantic relationships, even accounting for constructs typically examined in relationship research such as anxious attachment. Study 1 explored the content of people's thoughts about being single. Studies 2A and 2B involved the development and validation of the Fear of Being Single Scale. Study 2C provided preliminary support for the hypothesis that fear of …
The independent contributions of social reward and threat perceptions to romantic commitment
Although separate literatures have emerged on effects of social threats (i.e., rejection and negative evaluation) and rewards (i.e., connection and intimacy) on the process of commitment to a romantic relationship, no research has examined the influence of both simultaneously. Using an attachment framework, we examined the relation of social threats and rewards to investment model constructs (i.e., commitment, satisfaction, investment, quality of…
Insecure attachment predicts ambivalent social threat and reward perceptions in romantic relationships
Although theoretical perspectives on adult attachment forward relational ambivalence as a defining characteristic of at least some forms of insecurity, work demonstrating an ambivalent structure to the relational attitudes of insecure individuals has been rare. The current research examines the similarity and intensity of perceptions of social threat (i.e., concerns over rejection) and social reward (i.e., opportunities for intimacy) in romantic …
Longing for Ex‐Partners out of Fear of Being Single
This research investigated whether people who fear being single have a more difficult time letting go of ex‐partners following a romantic breakup. Data were collected in a cross‐sectional study ( N = 209, 64% women, M age = 30 years old) as well as a 1‐month daily experience study of individuals who just went through a romantic breakup ( N = 117, 44% women, M age = 27 years old). Findings from both studies revealed that those with stronger fear o…
Nice guys finish first when presented second: Responsive daters are evaluated more positively following exposure to unresponsive daters
How interdependent are stay/leave decisions? On staying in the relationship for the sake of the romantic partner
The decision to end a romantic relationship can have a life-changing impact on the partner as well as the self. Research on close relationships has thus far focused on self-interested reasons why people choose to stay in their relationship versus leave. However, a growing body of research on decision-making and prosociality shows that when people make decisions that impact others, they take those others' feelings and perspectives into considerati…
Distinguishing Dismissing From Fearful Attachment in the Association Between Closeness and Commitment
When avoidantly attached individuals are simultaneously high in attachment anxiety, they are inclined to experience strong internal conflicts between seeking and avoiding closeness. This research examined whether the extent to which closeness, assessed as the inclusion of other in the self (IOS), is associated with greater commitment varies within individuals high in attachment avoidance as a result of differences in ambivalence toward maintainin…
Fear of being single priming predicts maladaptive relationship pursuits
We tested a priming paradigm for inducing fear of being single, and explored its causal role on longing for ex‐partners and settling for less. In Studies 1 and 2, fear of being single was primed by focusing on positive/negative aspects of singlehood/relationships. In Study 3, the paradigm focused only on the positive/negative aspects of singlehood and included a no‐task control. Across studies, focusing on negative aspects of singlehood produced …
Relationship quality and accuracy of detecting a romantic partner's fear of being single
The predictive effects of fear of being single on physical attractiveness and less selective partner selection strategies
Fear of being single (FOBS) tends to predict settling for less when seeking a romantic partner. The present research sought to examine whether this is due, at least in part, to lower physical attractiveness among those who fear being single. In a photo-rating study (Study 1, N = 122) and a speed-dating study (Study 2, N = 171), participants completed the FOBS Scale, rated perceptions of their own physical attractiveness, and were then rated on ph…
Lack of Intimacy Prospectively Predicts Breakup
In this prospective longitudinal study, we examined whether and how lack of intimacy or meaningful connection to a romantic partner (i.e., low social reward) and concerns over negative evaluation by the partner (i.e., high social threat) each predict dissolution of a relationship as well as adjustment when a breakup occurs. Our results showed that those who perceived lower levels of reward during the relationship were more likely to experience a …
Detectability and desirability of fear of being single in online dating profiles
Objective Those who fear being single generally do not have difficulty attracting prospective partners. The present research explores whether this is because daters cannot detect fear of being single, or because detected fear of being single does not hinder desirability. Method In Study 1 ( N = 235, 60% women, M age = 36.9), participants created dating profiles then rated the desirability of profiles depicting high versus low fear of being single…
Validating the fear of being single scale for individuals in relationships
The Fear of Being Single (FOBS) Scale (Spielmann et al., 2013) assesses insecurity about singlehood, but its items are phrased for those who are currently single. The present research validated the FOBS in Relationships Scale for individuals currently in relationships. Results suggested that both single and partnered individuals experience FOBS, and that the FOBS Scale and FOBS in Relationships Scale are appropriate measures for single and partne…
Give Up the Ghost: Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Ambiguous Rejection
Ghosting—or indirectly ceasing communication to end a relationship—has become common with the rising popularity of online dating. Despite its ubiquity, little is known regarding the immediate causal impact of being ghosted compared to explicit rejection. In two studies, participants were immersed in a sequential dating scenario simulating the early development of an online relationship to experimentally test emotional and behavioral responses to …
Pursuing Relationships or Avoiding Singlehood? Differentiating Singles' Fear of Being Single, Desire for a Relationship, and Satisfaction With Relationship Status
Attitudes toward singlehood have been operationally and methodologically framed in different ways, with some focused on desire for relational pursuit, some on satisfaction or contentment with singlehood, and others focused on negative affect or experiences associated with singlehood. The present research explores whether measures such as fear of being single (FOBS), desire for a relationship (DFR), and satisfaction with relationship status (SWRS)…
Psychology (16 works) · Social Psychology (16 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (14 works) · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior (12 works) · Developmental psychology (11 works) · Romance (9 works) · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion (5 works) · Social Psychology (5 works) · Attractiveness (4 works) · Perception (4 works)