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Similarity in Indicators of Attractiveness in Heterosexual Couples, and their Relationship with Satisfaction and Trust

2022 , Paula Alvarez , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO , Nohelia Valenzuela , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , RODRÍGUEZ SICKERT, CARLOS ANDRÉS , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO

In our species, the formation and maintenance of romantic partners is a nonrandom process. In this sense, similarity between members of the couple can be relevant for the beginning of the relationship (i.e., assortative mating) and maintenance, being similarity in attractiveness one of the most interesting aspects of this phenomenon. Despite that similarity in attractive traits has been documented, there is a lack of studies including modern morphological measures like fluctuating facial asymmetry or body fat percentage when assessing the effect that similarity in attractiveness could provoke on behaviors and feelings necessary to maintain a long-term relationship (e.g., satisfaction and trust). We assessed the presence of similarity in attractiveness for self-perceived measures (attractiveness and mate value) and physical traits (body fat percentage, body mass index, and fluctuating facial asymmetry) in a population of 196 heterosexual young couples from Chile (n = 392). Then, using actor-partner interdependence models (APIM), we assessed whether satisfaction and trust within the couples were influenced by attractiveness. Our results indicated the presence of similarity for all studied traits with the exception of fluctuating facial asymmetry. In addition, we only found that self-assessment of attractiveness is important for satisfaction in women, and partner's physical attractiveness is important for satisfaction and trust in men. Our results suggest that similarity in attractiveness is not playing a major role in affecting relationship. It is probably that similarity could be better explained from the initial stages of relationship, where the mating market forces conduce to the conformation of similar couples.

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Correction: Testing strategic pluralism: The roles of attractiveness and competitive abilities to understand conditionality in men’s short-term reproductive strategies

2021 , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO , RODRÍGUEZ SICKERT, CARLOS ANDRÉS , Nohelia Valenzuela , Paula Pavez , Oriana Ramírez-Herrera , Miguel Pita , David Diaz , Ana Belén Fernández-Martínez , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO

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Evidence of the active participation of women in the intergroup conflict based on the use of aggression and cooperation

2023 , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO , Daniel Torrico-Bazoberry , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO , Eugenio Guzmán-Lavín , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , FAJARDO RODRÍGUEZ, GABRIELA PAZ , Nohelia Valenzuela , BELINCHÓN, MONTSERRAT , RODRÍGUEZ SICKERT, CARLOS ANDRÉS , Miguel Pita

AbstractIntergroup conflict has been a persistent aspect of human societies since the emergence of our species. Various researchers have proposed that competition between groups has acted as a key selective force throughout human evolutionary history. Such intergroup competition for limited resources exacerbated the expression of intergroup aggression and intragroup cooperation. Furthermore, it would have a sexual dimorphism, with men demonstrating increased sensitivity to conflict threats—in order to maximize reproductive opportunities—, while women generally reject from active engagement in intergroup conflict. In the present study, we conducted behavioral experiments under controlled laboratory conditions to measure cooperation and aggression from using virtual games, specifically the Public Good Games and the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm, in a sample of 541 participants. We created control and experimental intergroup competition scenarios, where aggression and cooperation were necessary to increase monetary rewards. Our results shows that men modulate aggression and cooperation in the presence of intergroup conflict. In addition, our data also reveals that women cooperate more than men and display heightened levels of cooperation and aggression when confronted with intergroup conflict. These findings prompt a reevaluation of current functional theoretical models concerning the role of women in intergroup conflict and suggest that the dynamics of human aggression and cooperation may be more nuanced than previously believed.

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The effect of intergroup competition outcome on ingroup cooperation: insights from the male warrior hypothesis

2024 , BELINCHÓN, MONTSERRAT , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO , RODRÍGUEZ SICKERT, CARLOS ANDRÉS , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , Nohelia Valenzuela , Paula Pavez , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO

The Male Warrior Hypothesis (MWH) proposes that sex-specific selective pressures have promoted male cooperation with the ingroup members to outcompete rival groups. However, intergroup conflicts do not occur in isolation and the outcomes of previous competitions may influence group cooperativeness. Since this phenomenon is not well understood, we aimed to shed light on the effect of previous competition outcome on later cooperative behavior under intergroup conflicts. Based on the MWH, we hypothesized that repeated contests between groups could enhance ingroup cooperation, regardless of the outcome of the previous contest because status is at risk, but when competition is not present, participants would move to the symmetric equilibria.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we recruited 246 individuals organized in groups of 6 and measured cooperation using a threshold public good game over two rounds, manipulating the outcome in the first round to create groups of winners and losers.ResultsOur results show that intergroup conflict scenarios promoted cooperation in both victory and defeat conditions, whereas, in the control scenario only losers increased their cooperation.DiscussionWe argue that winners under the presence of an external threat may enhance in-group cooperation in order to assure their status; whereas, losers may be attempting to regain it.

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Quantitative evaluation of a theoretical-conceptual model based on affective and socio-behavioral dimensions to explain the academic performance of mathematics students

2024 , Felipe Marín-Álvarez , Luis Flores-Prado , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO , VARELA TORRES, JORGE JAVIER , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO

ObjectiveThere is evidence that suggests that affective dimensions, personality traits, as well as students’ cooperative interpersonal interactions, are an important element in the students learning process. In this work we propose a theoretical model, based on evidence, that shows the direct and indirect relationships between these factors and academic performance in mathematics courses, in undergraduate and school students.MethodsTo understand the type of relationships between these variables, the PANAS psychometric test of positive and negative affect, the BIG FIVE personality test and the economic decision game DUPLES GAME were applied. The study sample was 130 students between 17 and 22 years of age from undergraduate and school (M ± SD = 20.1 ± 3.99).ResultsFrom a path analysis, statistically significant relationships were found, for example, a direct relationship between neuroticism and positive affect, which in turn is related to academic performance. We also found a direct relationship between neuroticism and negative affect, extraversion and positive affect. This allows us to propose that some of the independent variables of the model directly and indirectly influence the academic performance of students in the subject of mathematics.ConclusionPositive affect and negative affect directly affect academic performance in mathematics, neuroticism has a direct impact on negative affect and extraversion direct impact on positive affect. Consequently, there are direct and indirect relationships between personality traits and affective dimensions, which affect the academic performance of mathematics students.

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The role of exogenous testosterone and social environment on the expression of sociosexuality and status-seeking behaviors in young Chilean men

2024 , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO , FAJARDO RODRÍGUEZ, GABRIELA PAZ , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO , VALENZUELA MARTÍNEZ, NOHELIA , BELINCHÓN, MONTSERRAT , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , Ana Fernández-Martínez , Marcel Deglín , Miguel Pita

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Barriers and facilitators for safe sex behaviors in students from universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) through the COM-B model

2023 , Manuel Armayones Ruiz , Eduardo Leiva Pinto , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , Noemí Robles , Denise Laroze Prehn , Francisco Javier Villarroel Riquelme , Giuliano Duarte Anselmi

Abstract Background Unsafe sex is one of the main morbidity and mortality risk factors associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in young people. Behavioral change interventions for promoting safe sex have lacked specificity and theoretical elements about behavior in their designs, which may have affected the outcomes for HIV/AIDS and STI prevention, as well as for safe sex promotion. This study offers an analysis of the barriers and facilitators that, according to the university students who participated in the focus groups, impede or promote the success of interventions promoting healthy sexuality from the perspective of the actions stakeholders should undertake. In turn, this study proposes intervention hypotheses based on the Behavior Change Wheel which appears as a useful strategy for the design of intervention campaigns. Methods Two focus groups were organized with students from Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH). The focus groups gathered information about the perceptions of students about sex education and health, risk behaviors in youth sexuality, and rating of HIV/AIDS and STI prevention campaigns. In the focus groups, participants were offered the possibility of presenting solutions for the main problems and limitations detected. After identifying the emerging categories related to each dimension, a COM-B analysis was performed, identifying both the barriers and facilitators of safe sex behaviors that may help orient future interventions. Results Two focus groups were organized, which comprised 20 participants with different sexual orientations. After transcription of the dialogues, a qualitative analysis was performed based on three axes: perception about sex education, risk behaviors, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS and STI prevention campaigns. These axes were classified into two groups: barriers or facilitators for safe and healthy sexuality. Finally, based on the Behavior Change Wheel and specifically on its ‘intervention functions’, the barriers and facilitators were integrated into a series of actions to be taken by those responsible for promotion campaigns at Universidad de Santiago. The most prevalent intervention functions are: education (to increase the understanding and self-regulation of the behavior); persuasion (to influence emotional aspects to promote changes) and training (to facilitate the acquisition of skills). These functions indicate that specific actions are necessary for these dimensions to increase the success of promotional campaigns for healthy and safe sexuality. Conclusions The content analysis of the focus groups was based on the intervention functions of the Behavior Change Wheel. Specifically, the identification by students of barriers and facilitators for the design of strategies for promoting healthy sexuality is a useful tool, which when complemented with other analyses, may contribute improving the design and implementation of healthy sexuality campaigns among university students.

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¿Por qué Somos Infieles? Aplicación Inicial de una Escala para Estimar las Razones por las que Hombres y Mujeres son Infieles

2018 , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , Ana María Fernández Tapia , Carolina Jara Durán

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Testing strategic pluralism: The roles of attractiveness and competitive abilities to understand conditionality in men’s short-term reproductive strategies

2020 , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO , RODRÍGUEZ SICKERT, CARLOS ANDRÉS , Nohelia Valenzuela , Paula Pavez , Oriana Ramírez-Herrera , Miguel Pita , David Diaz , Ana Belén Fernández-Martínez , POLO RODRIGO, PABLO , Alex Jones

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Attachment and intrasexual competitiveness in committed individuals from chile

2019 , Ana Maria Fernandez , MUÑOZ REYES, JOSÉ ANTONIO , Abraham P. Buunk , Paula Pavez , FIGUEROA VALDEBENITO, ORIANA CRISTINA

The present research examined the association between intrasexual competitiveness (as an adaptive feature of human mating) and adult attachment dimensions (which develop throughout ontogeny and are relatively stable patterns of relationship approaching in adulthood), postulating that the dimensions of attachment will be predictive of intrasexual competitiveness (the negative perception of same sex-others as potential mating rivals), but in particular attachment anxiety should be correlated to intrasexual competitiveness. We assessed intrasexual competitiveness and the attachment dimensions (closeness, dependence, anxiety, and avoidance) in a sample of 323 adult heterosexual men and women which were currently involved in a romantic relationship and were married or in a cohabiting living arrangement. The results show the expected prediction of intrasexual competitiveness by attachment anxiety, but not by any other adult attachment dimension, suggesting that individuals who develop attachment anxiety are characterized by increased same-sex rivalry and competitiveness, which may negatively affect their same-sex close relationships, in addition to other interpersonal realms.