May 2020 PMID 32528365

Manipulation of Self-Expansion Alters Responses to Attractive Alternative Partners.

Irene Tsapelas, Lane Beckes, Arthur Aron

Mentions

9
Peak: 4 in Nov 2025
across 3 sources since Jun 2020

Extended reach

34,443
potential audience

Total likes

1,816

Video views

30,836

Mentions per month

Jun 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter6 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions emphasize the significance of self-expansion as a tool to reduce attraction toward alternatives, using language like 'interesting' and 'explore' to convey curiosity. For example, one poster highlights how priming self-expansion, rather than romantic love, impacts perceptions, reflecting moderate engagement with the research's implications, while others recognize its potential influence on understanding infidelity.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the research's relevance, especially in the context of infidelity and relationship dynamics.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with participants engaging in exploring how self-expansion affects perceptions of alternatives.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments reference specific research aspects such as neural activation and subjective ratings, indicating a moderate level of deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Though influential, the overall perception suggests the findings are promising but not yet definitive for widespread application.

Abstract in brief

  • The research explored how intentionally enhancing selfexpansion (seeking new experiences and personal growth) affects people's reactions to attractive alternative partners.
  • Experiment results showed that those primed to seek selfexpansion remembered more attractive alternatives that differed from their partner and showed reduced brain responses to attractive strangers when they were in a state of selfexpansion.
  • The findings suggest that increasing selfexpansion can decrease the likelihood of infidelity by influencing memory and brain activity related to attraction, especially in close relationships.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Jim Coan
@jimcoan · X

Priming self-expansion, but not romantic love, alters the perceived value of alternative romantic partners, by subjective rating and neural activation. A @lane_beckes project! https://t.co/T5MqEZQBFx

Jun 16, 2020 · 7 likes · 3,008 followers View post →
The Christ Lucifer Gnow Thys(Elf) ⚘
@FrezHism · X

https://t.co/yEOgWVsXT6

Nov 7, 2025 · 1 like · 227 followers View post →
drie⁸¹
@prouductivity · X

@ikanhiuikanmas i hope i catch ur question right karena gue mau rekomen bacaan ini: https://t.co/is0fhNBfNx kalo disini mereka nyari alternatif yang emang qualities pasangan saat ini gapunya (yang memenuhi kebutuhan growthnya, self-expansionnya)

Feb 13, 2025 · 1 like · 85 followers View post →
Jefferson Clark
@Jeffers63904838 · X

https://t.co/At3tmIFxDa

Nov 7, 2025 · 156 followers View post →
drie⁸¹
@prouductivity · X

statement ini menarik dan bisa di explore dari penelitian ini: https://t.co/is0fhNAHXZ https://t.co/fpxDqJJ6HU

Feb 12, 2025 · 85 followers View post →
liufuisa
@thejohnlebeliza · X

https://t.co/cJ8HYCvERY about infidelity https://t.co/sA9lUePaiM

Jul 10, 2024 · 45 followers View post →

All mentions

The Christ Lucifer Gnow Thys(Elf) ⚘
@FrezHism · X

https://t.co/yEOgWVsXT6

Nov 7, 2025 · 1 like · 227 followers View post →
Jefferson Clark
@Jeffers63904838 · X

https://t.co/At3tmIFxDa

Nov 7, 2025 · 156 followers View post →
Jefferson Clark
@jeffersonclark7.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/W5W9qW8lMnM?...

Nov 7, 2025 · 1 share View post →
drie⁸¹
@prouductivity · X

@ikanhiuikanmas i hope i catch ur question right karena gue mau rekomen bacaan ini: https://t.co/is0fhNBfNx kalo disini mereka nyari alternatif yang emang qualities pasangan saat ini gapunya (yang memenuhi kebutuhan growthnya, self-expansionnya)

Feb 13, 2025 · 1 like · 85 followers View post →
drie⁸¹
@prouductivity · X

statement ini menarik dan bisa di explore dari penelitian ini: https://t.co/is0fhNAHXZ https://t.co/fpxDqJJ6HU

Feb 12, 2025 · 85 followers View post →
liufuisa
@thejohnlebeliza · X

https://t.co/cJ8HYCvERY about infidelity https://t.co/sA9lUePaiM

Jul 10, 2024 · 45 followers View post →
Jim Coan
@jimcoan · X

Priming self-expansion, but not romantic love, alters the perceived value of alternative romantic partners, by subjective rating and neural activation. A @lane_beckes project! https://t.co/T5MqEZQBFx

Jun 16, 2020 · 7 likes · 3,008 followers View post →