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The Perceived Satisfaction Derived From Various Relationship Configurations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2016

Marisa T. Cohen
Marisa T. Cohen*
Affiliation:
St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York, USA
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Marisa T. Cohen, Assistant Professor of Psychology, St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. Email: mcohen@sfc.edu
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Abstract

Experimental research focusing on consensually non-monogamous relationships is lacking. This study examined perceptions of relationship satisfaction of participants (N = 321) randomly assigned to conditions in which they were presented with either a passage depicting a monogamous, open, or polyamorous couple. Results demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the groups exposed to the various relationship configurations in terms of the perceptions of the hypothetical couples’ relationship satisfaction, F(2,318) = 3.12, p = .045. Specifically, the monogamous couple was rated as having higher relationship satisfaction than the open couple. Such a study has implications for garnering a better understanding of the preconceived notions we hold about the lifestyles of others. As this area warrants further investigation, exploration is still ongoing.

Keywords

relationship satisfactionconsensual non-monogamyopen relationshippolyamorymonogamy
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 7 , 2016 , e10
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016 

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