You are out to dinner with your good friend Desiree. You know she is perfectly happy and committed to her intimate partner, Sophia, but you point out some of the attractive women sitting at the bar. She looks over and says you need to get your eyes checked, because she does not find them at all attractive. How can you explain her response?
A) the commitment calibration hypothesis; Desiree feels threatened by the women's attractiveness.
B) the justification motive; Desiree is justifying looking at the attractive women.
C) cognitive complexity; Desiree is separating her attraction to her intimate partner and the women at the bar.
D) derogation of alternatives; Desiree is protecting the positive view of her intimate relationship.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Desiree's response is consistent with the derogation of alternatives, where individuals in committed relationships tend to perceive potential alternative partners as less attractive to protect their current relationship and view it in a positive light. Desiree's response suggests that she is not interested in pursuing those women because she is satisfied with her current partner, Sophia.

You Are Out to Dinner with Your Good Friend Desiree