Intergroup perceptions of polyamorous adults in response to social identity manipulations from monogamous voices of authority

Approximately 21% of adults in the United States have participated in a consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationship, and close to 5% of the United States population identifies as CNM. Despite the prevalence of CNM relationships, consensual non-monogamy has remained heavily stigmatized in contemporary society, primarily by the monogamous population (which comprises the numerical majority). The present research sought to examine intergroup perceptions of persons who identify with a specific subtype of CNM – polyamory. Utilizing Social Comparison Theory, I experimentally analyzed perceptions of polyamorous adults toward monogamy and swinging (another subtype of CNM) following exposure to an identity threat, identity affirmation, or neutral condition. Contrary to the hypotheses derived from Social Comparison Theory, results of the experiment showed that polyamorous participants expressed positive evaluations of swingers across all conditions, and participants rated monogamous persons significantly more negatively than swingers when presented with a threat to their polyamorous identity. The results are discussed with regard to the theoretical frameworks of Self-Categorization Theory, Social Identity Theory, and ingroup projection. Ultimately, the present research provided an experimental analysis of an under-researched, stigmatized population and an initial understanding of group relations between the CNM subgroups of polyamory and swinging.