Commitment and Infidelity: How Do They Relate Across Two Different Cultures?

Salavati, Sara

Commitment and Infidelity: How Do They Relate Across Two Different Cultures?

dc.contributor.advisor	Boon, Susan
dc.contributor.author	Salavati, Sara
dc.contributor.committeemember	Exner-Cortens, Deinera
dc.contributor.committeemember	FantI, Jeremy
dc.date	2024-11
dc.date.accessioned	2024-09-05T17:17:59Z
dc.date.available	2024-09-05T17:17:59Z
dc.date.issued	2024-09-03
dc.description.abstract	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.
dc.identifier.citation	Salavati, S. (2024). Commitment and infidelity: how do they relate across two different cultures? (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/1880/119615
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher.faculty	Graduate Studies
dc.publisher.institution	University of Calgary
dc.rights	University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject	commitment
dc.subject	infidelity
dc.subject	monogamy maintenance
dc.subject	transformation of motivation
dc.subject	accommodation
dc.subject	willingness to sacrifice
dc.subject	interdependence theory
dc.subject	culture
dc.subject	collectivism-individualism
dc.subject.classification	Psychology--Social
dc.subject.classification	Psychology
dc.title	Commitment and Infidelity: How Do They Relate Across Two Different Cultures?
dc.type	doctoral thesis
thesis.degree.discipline	Psychology
thesis.degree.grantor	University of Calgary
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
ucalgary.thesis.accesssetbystudent	I do not require a thesis withhold – my thesis will have open access and can be viewed and downloaded publicly as soon as possible.