John has been married 10 years but is very unhappy with his relationship.There is an attractive female coworker,Leila,at his office.According to the commitment calibration hypothesis,in which of the following situations is John most likely to DOWNPLAY his perception of Leila's attractiveness?
A) John's wife decides she can no longer be married to him and files for a divorce.
B) John decides he can no longer be married to his wife and files for a divorce.
C) John frequently needs to consult with Leila on various business projects.
D) John learns that Leila finds him attractive and that she wants to have an affair with him.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The commitment calibration hypothesis suggests that individuals in a committed relationship will downplay the attractiveness of potential alternative partners when their commitment is threatened or when they are motivated to protect their relationship. In option C, where John frequently needs to consult with Leila on various business projects, his interaction with her is purely professional and does not pose a direct threat to his marriage. Therefore, he is more likely to downplay her attractiveness to maintain his commitment to his marriage.

John Has Been Married 10 Years but Is Very Unhappy