Oral Sex May Serve as Low Mate Value Compensation Among Men: Evidence from a Pre-registered Study

StatusVoR
Dublin Core metadata
Alternative title
Authors
Frankowska, Natalia
Szymków-Sudziarska, Aleksandra
Galbarczyk, Andrzej
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2024-12-26
Publisher
Journal title
Archives of Sexual Behavior
Issue
Volume
Pages
Pages
1-12
DOI
ISSN
0004-0002
ISSN of series
Weblink
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-024-03064-4
Access date
2024-12-26
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
From the evolutionary perspective, maintaining a committed relationship is beneficial for reproductive success but involves risks such as losing a partner or infidelity. People typically prefer partners with similar mate value (MV) to avoid rejection. However, when a mate value discrepancy (MVD) arises, the partner with lower MV might employ mate retention strategies to maintain the relationship. This study investigated whether men with lower MV compared to their female partners used cunnilingus more often and whether this effect was mediated by their motivation to satisfy the partner. Additionally, it tested the moderating role of men’s perceived vulnerability to disease (PVD), predicting that men less concerned about disease would show a stronger link between MVD and cunnilingus frequency, given the health risks associated with oral sex. Data from 540 men in committed heterosexual relationships confirmed that a higher MVD—where the man's MV was lower than his partner's—led to more frequent cunnilingus, and this relationship was mediated by a greater motivation to sexually satisfy the partner. However, the moderating role of PVD was not confirmed. We explore the evolutionary perspective that men may perform oral sex on their partners as a mate retention strategy. This behavior potentially serves as a benefit-provisioning mechanism, compensating for discrepancies in mate value.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Oral sex
Cunnilingus
Mate value
Sexual behavior
Mate retention
Keywords other
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
URI
https://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/1207
Type
License type
cc-by
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Files
pdf
Oral Sex May Serve as Low Mate Value Compensation Among Men.pdf(638.85 KB)
Download
Views
Views23
Acquisition Date4.04.2025
Downloads
Downloads5
Acquisition Date4.04.2025
Altmetrics©
Dimensions
Google Scholar
Google Scholar