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The ‘Chasing Amy’ Bias in Past Sexual Experiences: Men Can Change, Women Cannot

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Abstract

An extensive sexual history may deter individuals from committing to a potential romantic partner. However, the reasons for this deterrence may differ between men and women, such that women focus on practical concerns over suitability whereas men focus on reputation. Thus, individuals with extensive sexual histories, who are currently monogamous, should be more acceptable to women than they are to men. Two studies supported this hypothesis. Study 1 found that women rated male targets with a sexually experienced past with increased desirability for a long-term relationship if they reported recent shifts towards monogamy. In contrast, men rated sexually experienced female targets, with a recent shift towards monogamy, as least desirable. Study 2 extended the understanding of this effect by demonstrating that one time sexual experiences (i.e., threesome) had no effect on women’s judgments of currently monogamous men, but continued to negatively affect men’s judgments of currently monogamous women. In sum, women seem accepting of lifestyle changes in men, whereas men fixate on women’s previous experiences in spite of shifts towards monogamy.

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Notes

  1. Inclusion or exclusion of alternative sexual orientations besides heterosexuals did not change the overall results for either study. For complete reporting, all sexual orientations were included in all analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Texas, El Paso, 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, 79968, USA

    Daniel N. Jones

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  1. Daniel N. Jones
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Correspondence to Daniel N. Jones.

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Conflict of interest

The author declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Appendix: Profiles

Appendix: Profiles

PROFILE #1

SENSE OF HUMOR: Friendly, Clever/Quick Witted

INTERESTS: Art, camping, writing, road trips, cooking, skiing, partying, movies

EDUCATION: College graduate (Bachelor’s degree)

RELATIONSHIP HISTORY: 3 previous relationships

SEXUAL HISTORY: Has had sex with approximately 40 people.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR: I used to have a lot of casual relationships and sex in the past, but that is behind me now. I haven’t had sex with anyone for over a year and only do committed serious relationships now. In am looking for someone who wants the same thing.

PROFILE #2

SENSE OF HUMOR: Sarcastic, obscure, raunchy

INTERESTS: Painting, hiking, reading, hanging with friends, playing pool, snowboarding, hitting the beach, working out.

EDUCATION: College graduate (Bachelor’s degree)

RELATIONSHIP HISTORY: 4 previous relationships

SEXUAL HISTORY: Has had sex with 2 people.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR: I am looking for someone I can have a serious relationship with. I have never been interested in just having sex with someone. I need feelings and commitment behind it.

PROFILE #3

SENSE OF HUMOR: Obscure, random, sarcastic

INTERESTS: Singing, biking, people watching, traveling, bowling, dancing, video games, music.

EDUCATION: College graduate (Bachelor’s degree)

RELATIONSHIP HISTORY: 3 previous relationships

SEXUAL HISTORY: Has had sex with approximately 50 people.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR: I enjoy all kinds of relationships. I am really open. I am willing to have some casual relationships, and I am open to a more long-term relationship. I enjoy meeting and dating all kinds of people and having all kinds of relationships.

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Jones, D.N. The ‘Chasing Amy’ Bias in Past Sexual Experiences: Men Can Change, Women Cannot. Sexuality & Culture 20, 24–37 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-015-9307-0

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