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Testing a Transactional Model of Romantic Sensory Interactions in Male and Female Romantic Intimates

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2018

Anca M. Miron ,
Lixin Jiang ,
Kenneth Weisensel ,
Megan S. Patterson  and
Fabiola Rizo
Anca M. Miron*
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, USA
Lixin Jiang
Affiliation:
University of Auckland, New Zealand
Kenneth Weisensel
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, USA
Megan S. Patterson
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, USA
Fabiola Rizo
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, USA
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Anca Miron, 800 Algoma Blvd., University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA. Email: mirona@uwosh.edu
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Abstract

We propose a transactional model of romantic sensory interactions, according to which male and female intimates adapt to the specific context of their romantic relationships by adopting different sensory domains of interactions with their partners. To test this model, we measured romantic couples’ orientations toward using sensory modalities of romantic relating, and the importance of these modalities (N = 137 couples). Although not all hypotheses were supported, the findings suggest that men's relationship satisfaction, passionate love, and liking were driven by a stronger orientation toward touch, whereas women's relationship satisfaction, passionate love, liking, and commitment were predicted by a stronger preference for hearing. Higher differential valuing of touch and bodily sensations predicted higher passionate love for both men and women, suggesting that these sensory modalities have similar functions for both genders — to maintain sexual desire and passionate love for the partner. These findings underscore the importance of romantic couples’ differential sensory orientations in maintaining satisfying relationships.

Keywords

romantic couplessensory modalitiestransactional processesloverelationship satisfactiongender differences
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Relationships Research , Volume 9 , 2018 , e2
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2018 

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