Does "Open" Rhyme with "Special"? Comparing Personality, Sexual Satisfaction, Dominance and Jealousy of Monogamous and Non-monogamous Practitioners

Abstract

Romantic relationships are changing in Western culture. The recent rise of alternative relationship models called consensual non-monogamies (CNMs) has drawn attention toward them. Western cultures largely stereotype and stigmatize CNMs, portraying their practitioners (among other aspects) as psychologically distinct from monogamous practitioners. Likewise, recent scientific literature suggests probable differences for CNMs practitioners, mainly them being more extraverted, agreeable, and open, but also less jealous and dominant toward their romantic partners. However, although CNMs differentiate themselves from cheating monogamous practitioners, potential differences are unclear. The present study compared 372 participants (with 193 CNMs practitioners) from Spanish culture regarding their personality, sexual satisfaction, dominance, and jealousy. On most dimensions, monogamous and CNMs practitioners did not differ significantly from each other. CNMs practitioners showed significantly higher openness and lower conscientiousness, although these differences were small and debatable; thus, these findings should be taken with caution. These differences could not be explained by differences in age, gender, education, marital status, sexual orientation, or other demographic variables. The addition of cheating monogamous mitigated these differences. Overall, this study suggests that monogamous and non-monogamous practitioners are not psychologically different. Methodological limitations and future recommendations are discussed, with particular emphasis on replication studies.

Keywords: Consensual non-monogamy; Dominance; Jealousy; Personality; Polyamory; Sexual satisfaction.