Projection of Extradyadic Attraction (1 CE)

Number of Credits:  1

This course is for: Marriage & Family Therapists, Counselors, and Clinical Psychologists

Course By: Joel Austin, PharmD

Content By: Neal, A.M., & Lemay E.P. (2018) The wandering eye perceives more threats: Projection of attraction to alternative partners predicts anger and negative behavior in romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(2), 450-468. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0265407517734398

Course Description: Romantic relationships can be undermined when one member of a couple believes that the other member has extradyadic interests (i.e., interests in alternative romantic or sexual partners). The present study examines biases in the beliefs people have about their romantic partners' extradyadic interests. Based on self-report questionnaires administered to sample of heterosexual couples, the researchers found that individuals tend to project their own extradyadic interests onto their partners, and that the more they do so, the more anger and negative behavior they direct toward their partners. By illustrating how projection of extradyadic interests originates and influences relationship quality, the results have implications for the promotion of healthy romantic relationships.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the theoretical framework in which individuals project extradyadic interests onto their romantic partners and consequently feel and behave differently toward their partners
2. Describe the methods and main findings of the study concerning how the projection of extradyadic interests increases anger and negative behaviors toward a romantic partner
3. Integrate the strengths and limitations of the study, and summarize the implications for promoting healthy relationships

Course Outline: 

• Read and understand The wandering eye perceives more threats: Projection of attraction to alternative partners predicts anger and negative behavior in romantic relationships
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Analyze the concept of projection of extradyadic interests and its predicted associations with attitudes and behaviors toward a romantic partner
• Integrate the study's key findings, strengths, limitations, and clinical implications
• Work through the post-test questions, using the article as the sole basis for your answers
• Revisit the article for any missed questions, and/or to better understand the relationship between projection of extradyadic interests and negative attitudes and behaviors toward a romantic partner

Approvals: