Date of Thesis
2013
Description
Previous research has characterized human mate poaching as a prevalent alternative mating strategy that entails risks and costs typically not present during general romantic courtship and attraction. This study is the first to experimentally investigate friendship between a poacher and poachee as a risk mitigation tactic. Participants (N = 382) read a vignette that differed by whether the poacher was male/female and whether the poacher and poachee were friends/acquaintances. Participants assessed the likelihood of the poacher being successful and incurring costs. They also rated the poacher and poachee on several personality and mate characteristics. Results revealed that friendship increased the perceived likelihood of success of a mate poaching attempt and decreased the perceived likelihood of several risks typically associated with mate poaching. However, friend-poachers were rated less favorably than acquaintance-poachers across measures of warmth, nurturance, and friendliness. These findings are interpreted using an evolutionary perspective. This study complements and builds upon previous findings and is the first experimental investigation of tactics mate poachers may use to mitigate risks inherent in mate poaching.
Keywords
Mate poaching, infidelity, friendship, evolutionary psychology, romantic relationships
Access Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Science
Major
Psychology
First Advisor
T. Joel Wade
Recommended Citation
Mogilski, Justin Kyle, "Friendship As A Relationship Infiltration Tactic During Human Mate Poaching: An Experimental Investigation" (2013). Master’s Theses. 103.
https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/masters_theses/103
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