The role of self-control and sociosexual orientation in partner selection

A speed-dating study

Bibliographic Data

ID2933588
AuthorsTila M Pronk (0000-0001-5235-6955, Tilburg University, the Netherlands, corresponding author), Johan C Karremans (0000-0001-9319-5019, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands), Andrew Demetriou (Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands), Andrew M Demetriou (0000-0002-0724-2278, Delft University of Technology), Leander Van Der Meij (0000-0001-6394-3071, University of Technology Eindhoven, the Netherlands), Jaap J A Denissen (0000-0002-6282-4107, Utrecht University, the Netherlands)
Year2021
Volume38
Issue3
Pages935-949
Publication date2021-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407520977675
OpenAlexW3111676884
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited49

Self-control is a crucial factor in maintaining an established romantic relationship, but its role in relationship formation is understudied. The current study tested whether trait self-control is related to a more selective approach toward romantic partners. Over 4 years, we organized 11 speed-date events at which a total of 342 single, heterosexual participants met potential partners. Our results indicated that there was no main effect of self-control on selectivity. However, there was an interaction between self-control and sociosexual orientation (SOI) in predicting selectivity. Specifically, self-control was positively related to selectivity for people with a restricted SOI (i.e., interested in a long-term, stable relationship). For people with an unrestricted SOI (i.e., interested in a short-term, sexual relationship), however, self-control was related to lower selectivity. Our findings point to the flexibility of self-control in facilitating goal progress, stimulating people to refrain from-or act on-their impulses, depending on their own personal mating goals

Affect (linguistics · Control (management · Developmental psychology · Flexibility (engineering · Romance · Selection (genetic algorithm · Self-control · Trait · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Communication · Computer Science · Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior · Psychology · Social Psychology

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