Goetz, Aaron T.

Sperm competition theory states that in species 111 which females mate with
multiple males within a short period of time, not only will males have to compete
for mates, but they will have to compete for fertilizations and will subsequently
evolve tactics associated with competition for fertilization. It has been
hypothesized that sexual coercion in the context of an intimate relationship may
function as a sperm competition tactic, with its occurrence related to a man's
suspicions of his pmtner' s sexual infidelity. Sexual coercion in response to cues
of his partner's sexual infidelity might function to introduce a male's sperm into
his partner's reproductive tract at a time when there is a high risk of cuckoldry.
Four studies are presented which lend support to the sperm competition
hypothesis and encourage others to consider sperm competition theory when
studying men's sexual coercion in intimate relationships.

Mate-retention behaviors are designed to solve several adaptive problems, such as deterring a partner's infidelity and preventing defection from the relationship. Although many mate-retention behaviors appear to be innocuous romantic gestures (e.g., giving flowers), some may be harbingers of violence. Here, the relationship between men's mate-retention and violence against women was investigated. In Study 1, men reported their use of mate-retention behaviors and violence in their relationships. Study 2 assessed women's reports of their partners' mate-retention behaviors and their partners' violence against them. Study 3 secured husbands' reports of their mate retention and wives' reports of their husbands' violence. As predicted, and across all studies, men's mate-retention behaviors predicted violence against romantic partners.