Document Type
Contribution to Book
Source Publication
The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Romantic Relationships
Link to Published Version
https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/45634?searchresult=1
Publication Date
2-2023
Editor
Justin K. Mogilski and Todd K. Shackelford
Publisher
Oxford University Press
City
New York, NY
ISBN
9780197524718
First Page
565
Last Page
585
Department
Psychology
Description
In this chapter, we discuss how partners’ feelings about relationship inequity (i.e., unequal access to relationship resources, such as sex, emotional investment, finances, and family-size decisions) can cause relationship dissatisfaction. Individuals may initiate a romantic relationship with the desire to create a long-term committed relationship that is emotionally and sexually fulfilling. However, romantic relationships do not always fulfill both partners’ needs and desires, and couples often experience conflict and dissatisfaction when this happens. In this chapter, we explore both the proximate and ultimate reasons for why individuals experience dissatisfaction in their relationships. Proximate reasons include issues such as finances, cultural backgrounds, and ascribed sex roles whereas ultimate causes encompass issues of sexual conflict with others, reproduction-related conflict, and jealousy.
Recommended Citation
Wade, T. J., Moran, J. B., & Fisher, M. L. (2023). 565 585 Relationship Dissatisfaction and Partner Access Deficits. In The Oxford Handbook of Evolutionary Psychology and Romantic Relationships (pp. 565-585). Oxford University Press.