ObjectivesThis study employed an experimental design that induced social comparison in couples by systematically varying performance feedback in a manipulated pretend IQ test.MethodsSixty-two heterosexual couples were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, in which either the man (1) or the woman (2) was provided with superior feedback and compared to couples which received equal feedback (3) or no feedback (4). The biopsychological responses were assessed using repeated measures of mood, levels of the gonadal hormones testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2), and the stress hormone cortisol (C) in both partners.ResultsCompared to the men, the entire female sample responded to the test with a decrease in T. Women who received superior feedback showed a unique endocrine profile, characterized by an immediate increase in E2 and a delayed decrease in T. In contrast to men, women’s mood decreased in all conditions except for the superior feedback.ConclusionsOur results indicate that women may be physiologically and subjectively more strongly affected by comparison processes with their partners in the dimension of skills and achievement. Moreover, our findings are the first to show that in romantic relationships, the endocrine correlates of social comparison may include an intriguing interplay between the steroid hormones T and E2, but not C.

中文翻译：

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夫妻关系中社会比较的内分泌相关性

目的本研究采用实验设计，通过在假装的智商测试中系统地改变绩效反馈来诱导夫妻进行社会比较。方法将62对异性恋夫妇随机分为四个实验组，其中男性（1）或女性（2） ）提供了出色的反馈，并与收到相等反馈（3）或没有反馈（4）的夫妇进行了比较。通过反复测量情绪，双方伴侣的性腺激素睾丸激素（T）和雌二醇（E2）的水平以及应激激素皮质醇（C）来评估生物心理反应。结果与男性相比，整个女性样本对男性的反应T值降低的测试。获得较高反馈的女性表现出独特的内分泌特征，与男性相比，女性的情绪在所有情况下均会下降，除了较高的反馈。结论我们的结果表明，与伴侣进行比较的过程可能会在生理上和主观上对女性产生更大的影响在技​​能和成就方面。此外，我们的研究结果首次表明，在恋爱关系中，社交比较的内分泌相关因素可能包括类固醇激素T和E2之间的有趣相互作用，但不包括C。结论我们的结果表明，在技能和成就方面，与伴侣进行比较的过程可能会在生理和主观上对女性产生更大的影响。此外，我们的研究结果首次表明，在恋爱关系中，社交比较的内分泌相关因素可能包括类固醇激素T和E2之间的有趣相互作用，但不包括C。结论我们的结果表明，在技能和成就方面，与伴侣进行比较的过程可能会在生理和主观上对女性产生更大的影响。此外，我们的发现首次表明，在恋爱关系中，社交比较的内分泌相关因素可能包括类固醇激素T和E2之间的有趣相互作用，但不包括C。