INTRODUCTION: Synchronous behaviors between individuals are nonverbal signs of closeness and common purpose. In the flow from initial attraction to intimate sexual interaction, attention and synchrony move from distal to proximal to interactive and are mediated by sensitized activation of neural systems for sexual motivation, arousal, and desire and those that recognize and mimic common facial and body movements between individuals. When reinforced by sexual pleasure and other relationship rewards, this results in the strengthening of attraction and bonding and the display of more common motor patterns. As relationships falter, nonverbal behaviors likely become asynchronous. OBJECTIVES: To define behavioral, romantic, and sexual synchrony during phases of attraction and how their disruption can be observed and utilized by clinicians to assess individual relationship styles and quality. METHODS: We review the literature on behavioral and attentional synchrony in humans and animals in an effort to understand experiential and innate mechanisms of synchrony and asynchrony and how they develop, as well as implications for attraction, relationship initiation, maintenance of romantic and sexual closeness, and relationship disintegration. RESULTS: Evidence is presented that behavioral synchrony and the neural mechanisms that underlie it are vital to relationship formation and satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Behavioral synchrony helps to create feelings of sexual and romantic synergy, cohesion, and arousal among individuals. Asynchrony is aversive and can spark feelings of discontent, aversion, and jealousy. Thus, observing patterns of nonverbal sexual and romantic synchrony between individuals offers insights into the potential quality of their relationships.
The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effects of technology use for relationship maintenance on the longitudinal associations among self-isolation during the coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic and romantic relationship quality among adolescents. Participants were 239 (120 female; M age = 16.69, standard deviation [SD] = 0.61; 60 percent Caucasian) 11th and 12th graders from three midwestern high schools. To qualify for this study, adolescents had to be in the same romantic relationship for the duration of the study, ∼7 months (M length of relationship = 10.03 months). Data were collected in October of 2019 (Time 1) and again 7 months later in May of 2020 (Time 2). Adolescents completed a romantic relationship questionnaire at Time 1 and again at Time 2, along with questionnaires on frequency of self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and use of technology for romantic relationship maintenance. Findings revealed that increases in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic related positively to the use of technology for romantic relationship maintenance and negatively to Time 2 romantic relationship quality. High use of technology for romantic relationship maintenance buffered against the negative effects of self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents' romantic relationship quality 7 months later, whereas low use strengthened the negative relationship between self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and romantic relationship quality. These findings suggest the importance of considering the implications of societal crisis or pandemics on adolescents' close relationships, particularly their romantic relationships.
- MeSH
- chování mladistvých psychologie MeSH
- COVID-19 epidemiologie psychologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- námluvy psychologie MeSH
- přátelé psychologie MeSH
- psychologie adolescentů MeSH
- sociální izolace psychologie MeSH
- technologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Do one's hierarchical preference for attachment support from a particular person over other people (attachment hierarchy) and his/her discomfort with closeness and uneasiness about being dependent on that particular person (attachment avoidance) inversely overlap? These two constructs have been distinctly conceptualized. Attachment hierarchy has been regarded as a normative characteristic of attachment relationships, while attachment avoidance has been considered to reflect an individual difference of relationship quality. Employing bifactor analyses, we demonstrated a unidimensional general factor of these two concepts in four studies exploring Czech young adults' relationships with mother, father, friends, and romantic partner (Study 1); U.S. young adults' relationships with a romantic partner (Study 2); Czech adolescents' relationships with mother, father, and friends (Study 3); and Japanese young adults' relationships with mother, father, and romantic partner (Study 4). These convergent results provide the replicable and generalizable evidence that one's attachment avoidance toward a particular person and her/his placement of that particular person in the attachment hierarchy are inversely overlapping.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- interpersonální vztahy MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- longitudinální studie MeSH
- matky psychologie MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- námluvy psychologie MeSH
- otcové psychologie MeSH
- přátelé psychologie MeSH
- připoutání k objektu * MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- vztahy mezi rodiči a dětmi MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
This study examines whether attachment preferences and attachment styles with different figures (mother, father, romantic partner, and friends) change over the course of a romantic relationship. Study 1 employed a three-wave longitudinal sample of Czech young adults who were currently in a romantic relationship (N = 870; mean age = 21.57; SD = 1.51; 81% females). Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that, as romantic relationships progressed, attachment preferences for romantic partners increased and preferences for friends decreased. However, preferences for the mother or for the father did not change over time. The parallel pattern was found for attachment avoidance; as romantic relationships progressed, attachment avoidance with romantic partners decreased and avoidance with the best friend increased. Avoidance with mother or with father, however, did not change over time. Study 2 employed a cross-sectional international sample (n = 2,593; mean age = 31.99; SD = 12.13; 79% females). Multiple regression analyses replicated the findings of attachment avoidance in the longitudinal data.
- MeSH
- časové faktory MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- interpersonální vztahy MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- longitudinální studie MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- námluvy psychologie MeSH
- přátelé psychologie MeSH
- připoutání k objektu * MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- psychologická teorie MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- věkové faktory MeSH
- vztahy mezi rodiči a dětmi * MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The nature and hormonal control of cues used for recognition of sex and reproductive status of conspecifics remain largely unstudied in reptiles. It has been proposed that production of a female attractiveness pheromone controlled by female ovarian hormones (and which is suppressed by male gonadal androgens) is necessary to elicit courtship in males. In the case of leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius), it has been suggested that an individual is recognized as a male and attacked unless it produces female-specific stimuli in its skin and that females are attacked, not courted, while shedding. We tested the reactions of males to control males and control shedding and non-shedding females, castrated males, females treated with exogenous androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone), and prepubertal individuals. The individuals with high androgen levels (i.e., control males and hormone-treated females) were attacked while animals in all the other groups were courted. Our results indicate that in leopard gecko hormonally controlled pheromones advertising female attractiveness are not required and that sex discrimination is based on the presence or absence of cues dependent on masculinization by male gonadal steroids.
- MeSH
- chování zvířat účinky léků MeSH
- dihydrotestosteron krev farmakologie MeSH
- diskriminace (psychologie) účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- estradiol krev farmakologie MeSH
- ještěři fyziologie MeSH
- námluvy * psychologie MeSH
- pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
- rozmnožování účinky léků MeSH
- rozpoznávání obrazu účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- sexuální chování zvířat účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- sociální chování MeSH
- testosteron krev farmakologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Although cockroaches (Blattodea s. str.) exhibit high proportion of species with reduced wings, the underlying evolutionary forces remain unclear. Wing reduction in insects is generally considered advantageous for females and a trade-off between investment into the flying apparatus and reproduction is predicted to explain its evolution. However, what if the wing maintenance is an important issue for males' fitness? Males raise wings during the ritualized courtship which is viewed as an unavoidable movement unveiling the tergal glands for female access. We, however, propose a novel male mating success hypothesis suggesting that male wings are essential for their successful mating. We tested these two competing, but not mutually exclusive hypotheses in the cockroach Eublaberus distanti. We found no effect of female wing loss on any of the measured fecundity characteristics despite that alatectomized females histolyzed flight muscles. On the contrary, alatectomized males did not histolyze wing muscles, but experienced a markedly decreased mating success. Our findings, therefore, provide the first evidence on the crucial mechanical role of wings on male mating success. Consequently, selection for the retention of wings in males rather than for their reduction in females can explain the evolution of sexual wing dimorphism in cockroaches and other insects.
- MeSH
- fertilita fyziologie MeSH
- fyziologická adaptace fyziologie MeSH
- křídla zvířecí fyziologie MeSH
- námluvy * MeSH
- rozmnožování fyziologie MeSH
- sexuální chování zvířat fyziologie MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- švábi fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
The phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis suggests that females can judge male fertility by inspecting male phenotypic traits. This is because male sexually selected traits might correlate with sperm quality if both are sensitive to factors that influence male condition. A recent meta-analysis found little support for this hypothesis, suggesting little or no shared condition dependence. However, we recently reported that in captive zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) inbreeding had detrimental effects both on phenotypic traits and on measures of sperm quality, implying that variation in inbreeding could induce positive covariance between indicator traits and sperm quality. Therefore, we here assess empirically the average strength of correlations between phenotypic traits (courtship rate, beak colour, tarsus length) and measures of sperm quality (proportion of functional sperm, sperm velocity, sperm length) in populations of only outbred individuals and in mixed populations consisting of inbreds (F = 0.25) and outbreds (F = 0). As expected, phenotype sperm-trait correlations were stronger when the population contained a mix of inbred and outbred individuals. We also found unexpected heterogeneity between our two study populations, with correlations being considerably stronger in a domesticated population than in a recently wild-derived population. Correlations ranged from essentially zero among outbred-only wild-derived birds (mean Fisher's Zr ± SE = 0.03 ± 0.10) to moderately strong among domesticated birds of mixed inbreeding status (Zr ± SE = 0.38 ± 0.08). Our results suggest that, under some conditions, the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis might apply.
- MeSH
- fenotyp MeSH
- fertilita * MeSH
- inbreeding * MeSH
- námluvy MeSH
- Passeriformes * MeSH
- spermie MeSH
- zobák MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Previous work on lizards has shown that many sexually dimorphic traits depend on testosterone (T), but the details of this control can vary among species. Here, we tested the role of T on the expression of morphological, physiological, and behavioral traits in Lichtenfelder's gecko (Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi), from the lizard family Eublepharidae notable for interspecific variation in sexually dimorphic traits and the mode of sex determination. Experiments included three groups of males (intact control, surgically castrated, castrated with T replacement) and two groups of females (intact control, T supplemented). In males, castration caused reductions in 1) the size of hemipenes, 2) offensive aggression, 3) male sexual behavior in a neutral arena, 4) activity of precloacal glands, and 5) loss of male chemical cues for sex recognition. These reductions were not observed in castrated males with T replacement. Interestingly, castrated males performed sexual behavior in their home cages, which shows that the effect of T depends on the environmental context. Notably, tail vibration, previously reported as a courtship behavior in other eublepharids, is displayed by males of G. lichtenfelderi during interactions with conspecifics of both sexes, suggesting an evolutionary shift in the meaning of this signal. In females, T induced growth of hemipenes and male-typical courtship but did not induce precloacal pore activity, aggression, or mounting. In comparison to previous reports on Eublepharis macularius, our results indicate that effects of T do not depend on the mode of sex determination. Further, our results extend our understanding of the complexity of control of male traits and illustrate how lability in the effects of T can be a general mechanism causing evolutionary changes in the components of suites of functionally correlated traits.
- MeSH
- agrese fyziologie MeSH
- androgeny farmakologie fyziologie MeSH
- ještěři fyziologie MeSH
- kastrace MeSH
- námluvy MeSH
- pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
- procesy určující pohlaví účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- sexuální chování zvířat účinky léků fyziologie MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- testosteron farmakologie fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Several sunbird species (Nectariniidae) exhibit group display, but the function of this behaviour still remains unclear. We test two hypotheses (reproductive tactic and joint territory defence) to explain the function of this behaviour using data gathered on Northern Double-collared Sunbirds (Cinnyris reichenowi) from the Cameroon Mountains. Sunbirds exhibited group display throughout the breeding cycle. Groups of birds were mainly comprised of neighbouring pairs aggregated at territory boundaries. The frequency of group displays varied significantly among individuals and over the breeding cycle, with the highest frequency during the pre-breeding period and the lowest during egg-laying (∼female's fertile period). Time spent on group display was significantly longer at the end of breeding. Off-territory forays were recorded for both males and females, males significantly increased the time spent on these forays during incubation. Extra-pair copulations were recorded only in five cases for females (4%) suggesting that most off-territory forays were motivated by feeding on nectar in neighbouring territories. Therefore, we suggest that the behaviour is used for joint territory defence rather than as an information centre for choosing mates for extra-pair copulations. Its function for choosing primary mates is also unlikely, because group displays were mainly observed in complete pairs.
- MeSH
- agrese psychologie MeSH
- chování zvířat fyziologie MeSH
- fertilita fyziologie MeSH
- hnízdění fyziologie MeSH
- kopulace MeSH
- námluvy psychologie MeSH
- Passeriformes fyziologie MeSH
- sexuální chování zvířat fyziologie MeSH
- sociální chování * MeSH
- stravovací zvyklosti MeSH
- teritorialita MeSH
- vokalizace zvířat fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Vztahová vazba je trvalé emoční pouto vyvíjející se v raném dětství na základě kvality péče poskytované hlavní vztahovou postavou, které je charakterizované potřebou vyhledávat a udržovat blízkost s určitou osobou, zejména v podmínkách stresu. U dospělých osob se rozlišují čtyři základní typy vztahové vazby (jistý typ, úzkostně vyhýbavý typ, vyhýbavý typ a úzkostně zapletený typ). Škodlivé užívání návykových látek je častěji spojeno s nejistým typem vztahové vazby. V předložené kazuistice je popsána čtyřletá psychoterapeutická práce s mužem se škodlivým užíváním alkoholu. Klient se svým způsobem vztahování se k druhým lidem spadá do okruhu úzkostně vyhýbavé vztahové vazby, která v kombinaci s převažujícím obranným mechanismem devalvace a idealizace odkazuje na narcistickou strukturu osobnosti. Práce s klientem probíhala na třech základních tematických úrovních: nadměrné užívání alkoholu, partnerské vztahy a profesní oblast. Alkohol pomáhal klientovi zapomínat na chronické pocity samoty, více se uvolnit v mezilidských vztazích a zároveň mu sloužil i k regulaci nadměrných emocí. Pro klienta bylo velmi těžké navázat kvalitní partnerský vztah, protože se obával zranění, zároveň však trpěl pocity samoty. Podobnou dynamiku bylo možné sledovat i v pracovní oblasti. Hlavními terapeutickými nástroji byly přijetí a podpora v terapeutickém vztahu doplněné v pozdější fázi systematickou konfrontací především jeho obranných mechanismů devalvace a idealizace.
Attachment is a permanent emotional bond that develops in early childhood. It is based on the quality of care provided by the main relational figure and is characterised by the need to seek and maintain proximity to a person, especially under stress. Four basic types of attachment are distinguished in adults (secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant). Harmful substance use is often associated with insecure attachment. The present case study describes four years of psychotherapeutic work with a man with an alcohol use disorder. The client shows a pattern of fearful-avoidant attachment, which, combined with the dominant defence mechanism of devaluation and idealisation, refers to a narcissistic personality structure. The psychotherapeutic process focused on three main thematic levels: excessive alcohol use, intimate relationships, and the professional area. Alcohol use helped the client to cope with his feelings of loneliness, to be less inhibited in personal relationships, and to regulate his unpleasant emotional states. The client found it very hard to establish a good intimate relationship because of his fear of being hurt, but on the other hand he suffered from feelings of loneliness. Similar dynamics were observed in the occupational area. The main therapeutic interventions included the acceptance and support expressed within the therapeutic relationship, which were supplemented by systematic confrontation approaches, especially in relation to his defence mechanisms of idealisation and devaluation.
