Browsing by Author "Salavati, Sara"

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    Commitment and Infidelity: How Do They Relate Across Two Different Cultures?
    (2024-09-03) Salavati, Sara; Boon, Susan; Exner-Cortens, Deinera; FantI, Jeremy
    This research aimed to investigate a novel mechanism that could explain how commitment predicts infidelity across diverse cultural contexts. I examined transformation of motivation—a shift from self-centered to relationship- and partner-oriented interests—as a potential mediator. The objectives of Studies 1 and 2 were to explore whether commitment leads to transformation of motivation (Study 1; N = 71) and whether priming transformation of motivation influences monogamy maintenance efforts (Study 2; N = 104). I collected data from undergraduate samples for both studies. The attempt to prime commitment in Study 1 failed, underscoring the need for valid and reliable manipulations given the importance of commitment in interdependence theory. In Study 2, priming transformation of motivation did not impact monogamy maintenance efforts, suggesting that transformation of motivation may not the primary factor driving monogamy maintenance efforts, and other processes, such as cognitive dissonance, may be more influential. In Study 3, using a social media sample, I examined commitment, transformation of motivation, infidelity, and their associations across two cultures: Iran and Canada (N = 142 in Iran; N = 153 in Canada). Satisfaction was the primary predictor of global commitment, and structural commitment, specifically social pressure, was higher in Iran than in Canada. The results comparing markers of transformation of motivation (e.g., willingness to sacrifice, accommodative behaviours, and cognitive interdependence) across cultural samples were inconsistent. Iranian participants reported higher levels of destructive accommodation strategies, such as exit and neglect, but also a greater willingness to sacrifice compared to Canadians. These findings suggest that the hypothesized markers of transformation of motivation do not form a unidimensional construct and may be shaped by distinct cultural factors. Regarding infidelity, Iranian participants reported lower rates of emotional infidelity than Canadians, with no significant differences found for other types of infidelity. The findings have important implications for refining theory concerning transformation of motivation and for developing a more culturally sensitive understanding of commitment—one that extends beyond individual factors to consider the influence of social processes on relationship stability.
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    Examining Judgements of Ambiguous Extradyadic Behaviours Using a Policy Capturing Method
    (2020-09-15) Salavati, Sara; Boon, Susan D.; Ellard, John H.; Sears, Christopher R.; Fantl, Jeremy
    Ambiguous extradyadic behaviours such as buying/receiving gifts or talking on the phone can be perceived as infidelity under certain circumstances and therefore cause distress and conflicts in romantic relationships. The research presented here used a policy capturing method to illuminate the relative role of contextual factors (secrecy, frequency of the behaviour, and familiarity with the rival) in perceiving whether an ambiguous act crosses the line from benign to infidelity. In two sessions, 43 participants completed individual difference measures and rated 30 different vignettes in which the ambiguous behaviour (i.e., direct messaging on social media) was kept constant, but levels of contextual factors varied. Multilevel modelling revealed that participants perceived secrecy as the most important contextual factor in deciding whether an ambiguous behaviour was infidelity. Keeping a behaviour secret breaches important relational rules such as honesty and trust and indicates an awareness of guilt. Frequency of the behaviour was the second most influential contextual factor. High frequency of engaging in an extradyadic behaviour can signal an interest and investment in the extradyadic relationship. Familiarity was the least important contextual factor, suggesting its effect might depend on other contextual factors such as the rival’s attractiveness. Reactive jealousy and attachment avoidance as individual difference variables partially predicted participants’ judgements; however, such results need to be replicated in a bigger sample. The findings have implications for couples discussing the boundaries of their relationship and recognizing the source of emotional distress in the occurrence of ambiguous behaviours. Future research can benefit from investigating other contextual factors and responses to the perceived threat following an ambiguous behaviour.