1. Sex Differences in Perceptions of Infidelity: Men Often Assume the Worst Carolina Mazzanti, Shanee Regev, and Meghan Walker Psych 310: Psychology of Sex Differences Week 12 Panel Presentation Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

2. Hypothesis Men designed to over-perceive the likelihood of a partner’s sexual infidelity. Two studies used to test hypothesis Likert- Type Scale Visual Analog Scale Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

3. Study 1: Perceptions of Infidelity Using a Likert- Type Scale A 7 point Likert-Type Scale used to test hypothesis. 149 students (89 women, 60 men) engaged in a committed, heterosexual relationship and at least 18 years old. Completed online questionnaire. Section 1: Likelihood of future infidelity Section 2: Likelihood of partner’s future infidelity Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

4. Study 1: Results Men more likely to report greater suspicion in partner’s future sexual infidelities. Allows for avoidance of being cuckolded. Males engage in increased vigilance, mate guarding, and overly-affectionate behavior. Men more likely to admit that they would be unfaithful in the future. Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

5. Study 2: Perceptions of Infidelity Using a Visual Analog Scale Visual Analog Scale used to test hypothesis. 163 students (101 women, 62 men) engaged in a committed, heterosexual relationship, and at least 18 years old. Completed VAS measuring likelihood of infidelity in themselves and in their partners. Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

6. Study 2: Results Again, men more likely to admit that they would commit a sexual infidelity. Men more likely to report greater suspicion of partner’s future sexual infidelity. Psychological mechanisms designed to over-perceive the likelihood of their partner’s infidelity. Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

7. Discussion High paternal investment = greater infidelity suspicion in males. Increased perception of infidelity prevents cuckoldry. Increased paternity assurance. Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.

8. Panel Group Critical Review Interesting/Informative Interesting/Informative Men reported that they would be more likely to cheat in the future. Men reported that they would be more likely to cheat in the future. Over-perception allows men to generate behaviors that prevent sexual infidelity. Over-perception allows men to generate behaviors that prevent sexual infidelity. Over 50% of men in both studies reported suspicion. Over 50% of men in both studies reported suspicion. Weak/Unclear Weak/Unclear What is meant by future infidelity? What is meant by future infidelity? First study- 30% of women reported suspicion. Second study- 60% of women reported suspicion. Why the discrepancy? First study- 30% of women reported suspicion. Second study- 60% of women reported suspicion. Why the discrepancy? How can VAS rank suspicion of infidelity fully and accurately? How can VAS rank suspicion of infidelity fully and accurately? Goetz, A. T., & Causey, K. (2009). Sex differences in perceptions of infidelity: Men often assume the worst. Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (2), 253-263.