Who Really Wears the Pants in the Relationship?

Paper Summary:

This paper looks closely at female forms of manipulation (flattery, charm or sexual seduction, avoidance or silent treatment, and supplication or feigned helplessness). It shows that these are behaviors more often performed by women than men. However, using the reciprocity theory, it appears that manipulation is a negative behavior, which is returned to the female practicing it.

From the Paper:

"Just because romantic partners are involved in an intimate relationship does not imply that they have the same needs or goals. As thus, partners need to perform a type of social exchange, to determine how to achieve their own needs while still considering those of their partner. Methods of manipulation have often been associated with women, especially manipulation as flattery, charm or sexual seduction, silent treatment or avoidance and supplication, or feigning helplessness. Studies which research this topic find that women are more likely to perform manipulative behaviors in relationships than are males, and that this is likely connected to low levels of intimacy, or low social reciprocity. To study this topic, one must first prove that manipulation is a tactic that is generally performed by women. Howard et al (1986) studied manipulation and found that very few males utilize this type..."

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