What question did this study set out to answer?

This research explores how dependence and power vary between men and women in romantic relationships.

June 3, 2026Behavioral and Brain Sciences0 citations

Are men more dependent or more powerful than women?

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Men hold greater power and are less dependent in romantic relationships because women tend to invest more emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

SMSandra L. MurrayUniversity at Buffalo, State University of New York GPGabriela S. PascuzziUniversity at Buffalo, State University of New York

Key Points

This research explores how dependence and power vary between men and women in romantic relationships.
Analyzed the dynamics of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral investments in romantic partnerships.
Men tend to hold more power in relationships due to lower emotional investment compared to women.
Women generally invest more in terms of emotions and behaviors, which influences power dynamics.

Abstract

Dependence varies with the balance of power between romantic partners, such that the partner who invests less holds greater power than the partner who invests more. Women's tendency to invest more emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally in romantic relationships puts men in a position of greater power. Men's over-benefited or advantaged status makes them less dependent on romantic partners, not more.

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