Rebecca T. Pinkus

Signaling When (and When Not) to Be Cautious and Self-Protective: Impulsive and Reflective Trust in Close Relationships

A dual process model is proposed to explain how automatic evaluative associations to the partner (i.e., impulsive trust) and deliberative expectations of partner caring (i.e., reflective trust) interact to govern self-protection in romantic relationships. Experimental and correlational studies of dating and marital relationships supported the model. Subliminally conditioning more positive evaluative associations to the partner increased confidence in the partners caring, suggesting that trust has an impulsive basis. Being high on impulsive trust (i.e., more positive evaluative associations to the partner on the Implicit Association Test; Zayas & Shoda, 2005) also reduced the automatic inclination to distance in response to doubts about the partners trustworthiness. It similarly reduced self-protective behavioral reactions to these reflective trust concerns. The studies further revealed that the effects of impulsive trust depend on working memory capacity: Being high on impulsive trust inoculated against reflective trust concerns for people low on working memory capacity.

Commitment insurance : compensating for the autonomy costs of interdependence in close relationships

A model of the commitment-insurance system is proposed to examine how low and high self-esteem people cope with the costs interdependence imposes on autonomous goal pursuits. In this system, autonomy costs automatically activate compensatory cognitive processes that attach greater value to the partner. Greater partner valuing compels greater responsiveness to the partners needs. Two experiments and a daily diary study of newlyweds supported the model. Autonomy costs automatically activate more positive implicit evaluations of the partner. On explicit measures of positive illusions, high self-esteem people continue to compensate for costs. However, cost-primed low self-esteem people correct and override their positive implicit sentiments when they have the opportunity to do so. Such corrections put the marriages of low self-esteem people at risk: Failing to compensate for costs predicted declines in satisfaction over a 1-year period.

For Better and for Worse: Everyday Social Comparisons Between Romantic Partners

The authors examined the frequency, direction, and impact of social comparisons between romantic partners. Comparisons were expected to occur on a daily basis, owing to regular interactions between partners. To the extent that one empathizes and shares outcomes with ones partner, one might respond more positively to upward than to downward comparisons. Study 1a was an experience-sampling study in which participants reported comparisons made to their spouse over 2 weeks. Study 1b examined reactions to the most significant comparisons made during the experience-sampling study. Participants reported making comparisons to their romantic partner more than once a day on average and experienced more positive responses to upward than to downward comparisons. Study 2 demonstrated that participants empathized and shared outcomes with their partner to a greater extent than with a friend. Study 3 confirmed that participants responded more positively to upward than to downward comparisons even for domains high in self-relevance and even when the comparison had negative self-evaluative implications. These results suggest that, owing to higher levels of empathy and shared fate with partners, comparisons function differently in romantic than in other relationships.

Effects of Everyday Romantic Goal Pursuit on Women’s Attitudes Toward Math and Science:

The present research examined the impact of everyday romantic goal strivings on women’s attitudes toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). It was hypothesized that women may distance themselves from STEM when the goal to be romantically desirable is activated because pursuing intelligence goals in masculine domains (i.e., STEM) conflicts with pursuing romantic goals associated with traditional romantic scripts and gender norms. Consistent with hypotheses, women, but not men, who viewed images (Study 1) or overheard conversations (Studies 2a-2b) related to romantic goals reported less positive attitudes toward STEM and less preference for majoring in math/science compared to other disciplines. On days when women pursued romantic goals, the more romantic activities they engaged in and the more desirable they felt, but the fewer math activities they engaged in. Furthermore, women’s previous day romantic goal strivings predicted feeling more desirable but being less invested in math on the following day (Study 3).

The impact of appearance comparisons made through social media, traditional media, and in person in women’s everyday lives

Appearance comparisons are an important sociocultural factor influencing womens body image. These comparisons can occur in different contexts (e.g., through magazines, social media, in person). However, little is known about the frequency and outcome of appearance comparisons made in different contexts in womens everyday lives. Using Ecological Momentary Assessment methods, female undergraduate students (n=146) completed a brief online survey at random times every day for 5 days. They reported the frequency, direction (upward, lateral, downward), and context of appearance comparisons, and also reported their appearance satisfaction, mood, and diet and exercise thoughts and behaviors. Upward appearance comparisons were the most common across all contexts. Upward comparisons through social media were associated with more negative outcomes on all measures (except diet and exercise behavior) than comparisons made in person, and with more negative mood than comparisons in any other context. These findings highlight the importance of the appearance comparison context.

Experiences of Weight Stigma in Everyday Life: Implications for Health Motivation

Weight stigma is a pervasive social problem that can negatively impact the health and well-being of stigmatized individuals. The present study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess the motivational consequences of weight stigma in people’s everyday lives. Forty-six community adults (22 men, 24 women) completed baseline measures of prior stigma experiences and internalized weight bias before taking part in the EMA component of the study. Over a 2-week period, participants recorded their experiences with weight stigma immediately after they occurred, and also reported their current mood and motivation to diet, exercise, and lose weight. At the end of each day, participants again reported their mood and motivation to diet, exercise, and lose weight. Participants experienced weight stigma almost once per day, on average, indicating that stigma experiences are common in people’s everyday lives. At the episode level, lower positive affect (PA) following a stigma experience was associated with lower motivation to diet, exercise, and lose weight, but only for women, individuals high in prior experiences with stigma, and individuals high in internalized weight bias. We also found that the more frequently people experienced stigma on a given day, the less motivated they were to diet, exercise, and lose weight at the end of the day. Furthermore, these associations were mediated by low PA. These findings highlight the deleterious nature of stigma experiences, and can also inform public health and intervention efforts to reduce the negative impact of stigma and improve the well-being of affected individuals.

Being better than you is better for us Attachment avoidance and social comparisons within romantic relationships

A growing body of literature suggests that individuals respond more positively when outperformed by their partner (an upward comparison) than when they outperform the partner (a downward comparison). However, these findings may not apply to individuals high in attachment avoidance due to their negative working models of others. In two studies, we investigated whether feelings of closeness following social comparisons to the romantic partner are moderated by attachment avoidance. Participants were asked to recall (Study 1) and imagine (Study 2) comparisons. Avoidant participants felt closer to their partners following a downward comparison relative to an upward comparison. These studies suggest that for avoidant individuals, outperforming their partners is more beneficial for the relationship than being outperformed by their partners.

Does partner gender influence relationship quality among non-monosexual women?

ABSTRACT Non-monosexual women (i.e. those attracted to more than one gender) may encounter distinct sexual orientation-based challenges depending on the gender of their current relationship partner. Literature suggests that non-monosexual women in relationships with a male partner may often be assumed to be heterosexual by default, and may struggle with invisibility and lack of validation of their sexual minority identity. The aim of the present study was to examine if non-monosexual women in different-sex relationships experienced increased relationship strain relative to those with same-gender partners, and the potential mechanisms through which this effect may occur. A community sample of 169 non-monosexual women currently in a single partner relationship were recruited. Results indicated that although there was no direct link between partner gender and relationship strain, having a male partner was indirectly linked to greater relationship strain via less outness and less LGB community connectedness, and subsequently greater social isolation and depression. Unexpectedly, those with a male partner also reported greater social isolation independent of their level of outness and LGB community connectedness, suggesting the presence of additional pathways by which partner gender impacts ones sense of social isolation. These findings highlight distinct challenges faced by non-monosexual women in different-sex relationships.

Weight Stigma Predicts Poorer Psychological Well-Being Through Internalized Weight Bias and Maladaptive Coping Responses: Weight Stigma, Coping, and Psychological Well-Being

Weight‐based stigmatization is associated with negative psychological and behavioral consequences, but individuals respond to stigma in different ways. The present study aimed to understand some of the factors that predict how one will cope with weight stigma and how different coping responses predict psychological well‐being.

Coping with weight stigma: development and validation of a Brief Coping Responses Inventory

People who are overweight or obese are frequently stigmatized because of their weight, but there has been limited exploration of how people cope with these experiences. The Coping Responses Inventory (CRI) assesses a wide range of coping strategies in response to weight stigma; however, its length (99 items) may have prevented it from being widely used. The aim of the current research (four studies; total N = 1,391) was to develop and validate a Brief CRI. This 10‐item measure consists of two subscales that assess core coping responses to weight stigma: reappraisal and disengagement coping. Reappraisal coping is an adaptive form of coping that is associated with greater well‐being, whereas disengagement coping reflects a maladaptive form of coping that is associated with poorer well‐being. The Brief CRI provides a quick and effective way to assess coping with weight stigma, and its use has the potential to advance an understanding of the consequences of weight stigma.