We stick to our romantic relationships even when we discover "dealbreakers" in a partner that presumably make the person unsuitable as a mate

Dealbreakers, or dealbenders? Capturing the cumulative effects of partner information on mate choice. Samantha Joel, Nicolyn Charlot. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Volume 101, July 2022, 104328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2022.104328

Abstract: Entering and establishing a long-term relationship is typically a gradual process, as dating partners acquire information about each other over weeks or months. In contrast, existing mate selection paradigms (e.g., lab experiments, speed-dating) typically examine single brief encounters with real or potential mates. In the current research, we used a Choose Your Own Adventure design to examine how potential dealbreakers operate within the context of a broader relationship dynamic. In two studies, a combined total of 1585 participants read a story about a new dating relationship. At each of 17 junctures in the story, participants chose whether to continue dating or end the relationship. Potential dealbreakers were independently manipulated to be present or absent at each juncture, for a total of up to 17 negative pieces of information about the partner. Study 2 was a preregistered replication and extension of Study 1. On average, participants did not reject the hypothetical partner until several potential dealbreakers had been presented (M = 4.20 in Study 1, M = 3.68 in Study 2). Participants' self-reported dealbreakers consistently aligned with their in-story decisions. Even so, participants tended to encounter at least two of their own personal dealbreakers before choosing to reject (Study 2). Together, these studies highlight the sequential, iterative nature of partner evaluations, and illustrate a novel, accessible method for testing models of early relationship development.

Keywords: Romantic relationshipsMate choiceDealbreakersFledgling relationshipsRelationship developmentCompatibility