Love me, because I rely on you: Dependency-oriented help-seeking as a strategy for human mating.

IF 6.4 1区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL

Journal of personality and social psychology Pub Date : 2024-12-01 Epub Date: 2024-03-14 DOI:10.1037/pspi0000458

Fei Teng, Xijing Wang, Qiao Lei, Kai-Tak Poon

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Existing research has suggested a predominantly negative view of dependency-oriented help. In contrast, the current research aims to test the positive function of dependency-oriented help in intimate relationships where interpersonal dependency is valued. We hypothesized that dependency-oriented help-seeking could function in communicating liking and romantic interests and, therefore, can be instrumental in attracting mates. Our hypothesis was confirmed across nine studies (N = 2,535). For help-seekers, a mate-seeking motivation could positively predict (Study 1) and lead to (Studies 2A-4) dependency-oriented help-seeking behavior tendencies (Studies 1-2B) and actual behavior (Studies 3 and 4). For help-providers, after activating a mating goal, imagining (Studies 5A and 5B) and actually receiving (Study 6) dependency-oriented (vs. autonomy-oriented) help-seeking requests from a potential mate increased help-providers' romantic interests in that mate. Study 7 further showed the function of dependency-oriented help from the perspective of romantic competitors. As such, people in romantic relationships were more likely to see a potential competitor as a mate poacher when this person asked for dependency-oriented help from their partner. Theoretical and practical implications have been discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

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爱我，因为我依赖你：以依赖为导向的求助是人类交配的一种策略。

现有研究表明，以依赖为导向的帮助主要是负面的。与此相反，本研究旨在检验在重视人际依赖的亲密关系中，依赖型帮助的积极功能。我们假设，以依赖为导向的寻求帮助行为可以起到沟通好感和浪漫兴趣的作用，因此可以帮助吸引伴侣。我们的假设在九项研究中得到了证实（N=2,535）。对于求助者来说，寻求配偶的动机可以正向预测（研究 1）并导致（研究 2A-4）依赖型求助行为倾向（研究 1-2B）和实际行为（研究 3 和 4）。对于求助者来说，在激活交配目标后，想象（研究 5A 和 5B）和实际接受（研究 6）来自潜在配偶的依赖型（相对于自主型）求助请求会增加求助者对该配偶的恋爱兴趣。研究 7 从恋爱竞争者的角度进一步展示了依赖型帮助的功能。因此，当潜在竞争者向其伴侣寻求依赖型帮助时，恋爱关系中的人更有可能将其视为配偶偷猎者。本研究讨论了其理论和实践意义。(PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, 版权所有）。

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来源期刊

Journal of personality and social psychology PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL-

CiteScore

12.70

自引率

3.90%

发文量

250

期刊介绍： Journal of personality and social psychology publishes original papers in all areas of personality and social psychology and emphasizes empirical reports, but may include specialized theoretical, methodological, and review papers.Journal of personality and social psychology is divided into three independently edited sections. Attitudes and Social Cognition addresses all aspects of psychology (e.g., attitudes, cognition, emotion, motivation) that take place in significant micro- and macrolevel social contexts.