Sex differences in the motivation and mitigation of jealousy-induced interrogations

Given the differential costs sexual and emotional infidelity posed for each sex, we hypothesized that humans have sex-differentiated damage assessment strategies to investigate the nature of a partner’s infidelity. Study 1 tested this hypothesis using a forced-choice dilemma in which participants (N = 172) indicated whether they would be more likely to inquire about the sexual or emotional nature of a partner’s extra-pair relationship. Results confirmed our predictions that (a) men more so than women inquire about the sexual nature of the extra-pair relationship and (b) women more so than men inquire about the emotional nature of the extra-pair relationship. We further hypothesized that humans have sex-differentiated damage control strategies to mitigate the costs of being caught committing infidelity. Study 2 tested this hypothesis using a forced-choice dilemma in which participants (N = 117) indicated whether they would be more likely to deny the sexual or emotional nature of their involvement with an extra-pair partner. Results confirmed our predictions that if their partner discovered that they were involved with someone else, (a) men more so than women deny any emotional involvement with the extra-pair partner, whereas (b) women more so than men deny any sexual involvement with the extra-pair partner.