No abstract

Previous research has suggested that religiosity is associated with positive marital outcomes, but the underlying reasons for this association are not fully understood. We tested the hypothesis that religion influences marriage via partner selection strategies. Specifically, we hypothesized that proximal (more than distal) religiosity would predict partner selection strategies that facilitates positive marital outcomes; we also conducted exploratory analyses examining the influence of religious affiliation. Using a novel methodology that allowed for an examination of explicit and implicit attitudes, we tested our hypotheses using a large sample of emerging adults ( N = 437). Findings indicate that religion influences partner selection preferences, but the effect is not uniformly positive. Religious affiliation, not individual level religiosity (distal or proximal), was the most robust predictor of mate-selection preferences. Possible explanations for these findings and implications for intervention are discussed.

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The present study tested whether the topical application of a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) to the vaginocervical region altered the pattern of paced mating behavior displayed by gonadectomized, hormone-primed female rats. Both rats receiving Lidocaine and rats receiving vehicle exhibited the expected lengthening of contact-return latency as the intensity of the mating stimuli increased (mount < intromission < ejaculation). Although rats given Lidocaine versus vehicle received a greater number of intromissions, no other group differences were observed. The present study found no evidence for a change in behavioral responsiveness following the vaginocervical application of Lidocaine.