A Man in the Woods: Individual Differences in Women's Distress Response to Unknown Men

A Man in the Woods: Individual Differences in Women's Distress Response to Unknown Men

Alvin Sherman Library

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between distress and perceived danger in modern humans since previous research has shown that threats have various effects on an individual’s thoughts and behaviors. We hypothesized that women would report greater changes in distress after reading a story in which they are confronted with an unknown man compared to after reading a story in which they interact with a friend. Additionally, we hypothesized that women’s change in distress would be moderated by individual difference variables such as mate value. Using an experimental vignette methodology, data provide preliminary support for both hypotheses. The data presented here are part of a larger study on the effects of intersexual conflict on a variety of perceptions and behaviors within an experimental context.