Psychology Topic: Mate Retention
Psychology Topic: Mate Retention
Mate retention is based upon mate value. There are two types of mate retention behaviors.
Benefit-provisioning mate retention behaviors are behaviors that men largely use to increase relationship satisfaction. Benefit-provisioning mate retention behavior includes compliments, gifts, expendable resources, etc.
Cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors are behaviors that men (and women) inflict on their partners to keep them from leaving the relationship. Cost-inflicting mate retention behavior includes sexual jealousy and limiting a partner’s social contacts.
QUESTION
Given the implication of the visual, what mate retention behavior would you focus on to retain a mate?
Mate retention behaviors is discussed within my book titled Toxic Encounters: Why People Pursue Rebound Relationships, Part I. I explore the concept using psychology scholarship.
Here are some research sources if you are further interested in the concept of mate value. Some sources may require a subscription, but you should be able to locate a source using a keyword search such as “mate retention pdf.”
RESOURCES
Miner, E. J., Starratt, V. G., Shackelford, T. K. (2009). It’s not all about her: Men’s mate value and mate retention. Psychology and Individual Differences, 47, 214-218. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237423458_It’s_not_all_about_her_Men’s_mate_value_and_mate_retention
Starratt, V. G., & Shackelford, T. K. (2012). He said, she said: Men’s reports of mate value and mate retention behaviors in intimate relationships. Personality and Individual Differences, 53, 459-462. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886912001857
Visit https://reginayfavors.com/research/ and click the “Rebounding” tab to access video lessons and the full bibliography.
Regina Y. Favors 