Why do some people have sex with more people than others, and how is this measured? Today we’ll be diving into sociosexuality.
Sociosexuality, also referred to as sociosexual orientation, is the degree to which an individual is willing to engage in sexual activity outside of a committed relationship. It exists on a spectrum, with one end characterized by a restricted orientation, where individuals prefer love, commitment, and emotional closeness before engaging in sex with romantic partners, and the other end by an unrestricted orientation, where individuals are more comfortable with casual sex without love or commitment. The Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory (SOI-R) is a tool used to measure sociosexuality and its three facets: behavior, attitude, and desire.
Several theories attempt to explain sociosexuality. One of the most influential is parental investment theory, which suggests that the sex that invests more in offspring will be more selective in choosing a mate. Typically, females invest more in offspring through pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation, and thus tend to be more restricted in their sociosexual orientation, seeking partners with good genes and resources to provide for potential offspring. Males, who have lower obligatory investment, can potentially increase their reproductive success by being less selective and having multiple partners, thus tending to have a more unrestricted sociosexuality. However, it is important to note that men and women vary in sociosexuality regardless of gender.
Another relevant theory is the sex ratio theory, which posits that the availability of potential partners in the mating pool influences sociosexual behavior. When there are more men than women (high sex ratio), men tend to be more restricted to satisfy women's preference for long-term monogamous relationships. Conversely, when there are more women than men (low sex ratio), men can be more unrestricted and demand more casual sex. Strategic pluralism theory suggests that women have evolved to evaluate men based on their potential as good providers and their genetic quality. Depending on environmental factors, women may prioritize good parenting qualities or good genes, which influences men's mating strategies and sociosexuality. In contrast, social structural theory proposes that gender roles and social expectations play a role in sociosexuality. In societies with traditional gender roles, women tend to be more restricted, while in more egalitarian societies, these differences become less pronounced.
Gender differences in sociosexuality have been noted across cultures. On average, men tend to have higher SOI scores, indicating a more unrestricted orientation than women. However, there's more variability within genders than between them. Bisexual women are less restricted than both lesbian and heterosexual women in sociosexual attitudes and behavior. Gay men tend to be more unrestricted in sociosexual behavior compared to heterosexual and bisexual men, potentially because they have more opportunities for casual sexual encounters. It has also been noted that men have a greater desire for casual sex than women.
Individual differences also play a significant role in determining where one falls on the sociosexuality spectrum. People with an unrestricted sociosexuality tend to be more open to experience, more extraverted, less agreeable, less honest and humble, more impulsive, more likely to take risks, more likely to have an avoidant attachment style and higher on the dark triad traits such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. They also tend to have had earlier experiences with sex, more frequent sexual activity, and a greater number of lifetime partners. Those with a restricted sociosexuality are more likely to have an intrinsic religious orientation, while those with an extrinsic religious orientation tend to be more unrestricted. Furthermore, women with higher masculinity and those who are evening-oriented tend to be more unrestricted.
The pros and cons of being on either end of the sociosexuality spectrum vary across genders. For men, being unrestricted may lead to more mating opportunities and potentially more offspring, increasing their reproductive fitness. However, it may also lead to more competition, a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and less emotional connection. For women, being unrestricted may offer novelty, resource benefits, and improved seduction skills, but may also lead to a higher risk of STIs, exploitation, or social stigma. Being restricted may lead to more stable relationships and potentially increased parental investment but at the cost of limited sexual exploration and novelty. For men, a restricted sociosexuality would potentially reduce competition and lead to more long-term stability with a partner, but it also may limit reproductive opportunities.
The implications of sociosexuality also extend to marital satisfaction. Studies have indicated that individuals with unrestricted sociosexuality are more likely to experience marital dissatisfaction and relationship dissolution over time. This is especially true for those who have strong motives to pursue uncommitted sex. However, this association can be weakened by frequent sex, high sexual satisfaction, and low-stress levels in the relationship. The role of sociosexuality in marital satisfaction and stability highlights its significant impact on long-term relationships.
The question of whether sociosexuality can change with age and life experiences is complex. While some aspects may remain relatively stable, such as general attitudes towards casual sex, other dimensions like behavior and desire may fluctuate based on life circumstances. For instance, as individuals move through different life stages, they may seek more stable relationships and thus reduce their sociosexual desire and behavior. It is also possible that an individual’s sociosexual orientation can change as they mature, gain life experience, and develop different views on relationships and commitment.
In summary, sociosexuality is a complex construct shaped by evolutionary pressures, social factors, and individual differences. It influences an individual's mating strategies, relationship choices, and overall life satisfaction, highlighting the intricate interplay between biology, psychology, and social contexts.
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