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Considering error management theory can provide a more comprehensive model as to why romantic relationships matter more to men than women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2026

Aysha Bellamy Open the ORCID record for Aysha Bellamy [Opens in a new window]
Aysha Bellamy*
Affiliation:
Bourne and Wolfson Laboratories, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, UK Aysha.Bellamy@rhul.ac.uk https://pure.royalholloway.ac.uk/en/persons/aysha-bellamy-2
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*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Wahring et al. argue relationships matter more to men than women due to cultural and biological evolutionary pressures, though the latter may benefit from incorporating Error Management Theory. This predicts (i) men evolved to overperceive female sexual interest and (ii) women evolved to be skeptical of male commitment; potentially explaining why men likely form relationships and women likely terminate them.

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Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e92
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© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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