Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Influence Of Romantic Rejection On Change In Ideal Standards, Ideal Flexibility, And Self-Perceived Mate Value, Nicolyn H. Charlot

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Prior research has explored how ideal romantic standards are predictive of future partner characteristics, and how these standards change within relationships, but not how they develop in single individuals. The present study sought to determine whether repeated experiences of romantic rejection and acceptance over time would influence ideal standards and the related constructs of ideal flexibility and self-perceived mate value in a community sample (N = 211). As expected, experiences of rejection predicted decreases in ideal standards and self-perceived mate value, and increases in ideal flexibility. Experiences of acceptance did not have an effect. Gender and self-perceived mate value …