How often do people take flirting very lightly? Those who are already in a relationship.
They risk very dire consequences for themselves – the loss of a loved one.
It refers to flirting with others in order to make your partner jealous or to "add some spice" to your relationship.
Scientific research
Three studies on this topic were conducted by Israeli scientists: they wanted to find out how people react to the interest expressed by others in their partner.
Over 500 participants in serious relationships were placed in situations where their partner was either flirted with or communicated with in a neutral manner.
Subjects were asked to describe the following aspects of their feelings and behavior toward their partner:
- sexual desire for him;
– interest in maintaining relationships;
- willingness to fight to maintain relationships, including with someone who wants to take the partner away.
The results were as follows: when someone showed interest in the participant's partner, the participant's motivation to maintain the relationship decreased, while the partner himself was perceived as less attractive in a sexual sense.
Defensive reaction
Scientists interpreted this behavior as a defensive reaction of a person who perceives interest in his partner as a threat.
Therefore, in some cases, he may distance himself from his lover, trying to avoid emotional shock in the event of a potential breakup.
At the same time, a person may also have a desire to fight for his love, including by methods of active resistance to the “stranger” who has set his sights on his partner.
However, this is more due to a sense of revenge or an unconscious reaction to a threat, and less to a sincere desire to maintain the relationship.
Based on these studies, scientists have concluded that flirting with another person in order to arouse the interest of your partner can end badly.
