The "I" in us, or the eye on us? Regulatory focus, commitment and derogation of an attractive alternative person.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Laboratory experiments with randomized manipulation of regulatory focus and commitment primes alongside cross-sectional testing
PubMed 28319147 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0174350
What was done
Across three studies combining cross-sectional and experimental approaches, researchers examined how relationship commitment interacts with regulatory focus (promotion versus prevention) to influence the derogation of attractive relationship alternatives. Study 1 assessed romantically involved versus single individuals measuring chronic regulatory focus, commitment, and initial attraction to an attractive target. Study 2 experimentally manipulated promotion versus prevention focus among romantically involved participants and evaluated initial target attraction, perception of alternative quality, and attention to alternatives. Study 3 manipulated both regulatory focus (promotion versus prevention) and commitment (high versus low prime) among romantically involved participants.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or test statistics. In Study 1, romantically involved individuals predominantly focused on promotion (but not prevention) reported less initial attraction to an attractive target than single individuals, especially when highly committed. In Study 2, participants induced into a promotion focus reported less initial attraction than those in a prevention focus, but only when highly committed; higher commitment overall was associated with lower perceived quality of alternatives and less attention to alternative others. In Study 3, participants induced into a promotion focus and primed with high commitment reported less initial attraction than those primed with low commitment or induced into a prevention focus, whereas commitment primes caused no difference in attraction among prevention-focused participants.
Why it matters
This research indicates that derogation of attractive alternative partners is driven primarily by promotion goals that advance relationship growth, rather than prevention goals, provided relationship commitment is high.
Limits
The abstract does not provide sample sizes, participant demographics, statistical figures, effect sizes, or specific manipulation details. Outcomes rely on self-reported initial attraction rather than long-term or real-world behavioral outcomes.