Further testing of the scarcity and extravagance hypothesis in sexual orientation: evidence from two large Dutch and American samples

Hoyer, K., Zeelenberg, M. & Breugelmans, A further test of the scarcity and extravagance hypothesis in SM propensity desire: evidence from two large Dutch and American samples. Curr Psychol (2021) https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02467-z

Commentary

A recent large study of Chinese adolescents showed that childhood socioeconomic status (CSES) was positively, not negatively, related to propensity desire.

Since this trait is found in only children, and since China's one-child policy and socioeconomic policies may have reduced the wealth gap, the generalizability of this finding may be limited.

To test this part of the study, I experimented with this in two cultures that exhibit markedly different socioeconomic policies.

The Netherlands (Study 1, N = 2367, 51.3% female, M age = 54.06, SD = 17.90)

United States (Study 2, N = 999, 50.1% female, M age = 33.44, SD = 12.28)

Hierarchical multiple regression was performed to investigate the association between CSES and greed, and the researchers replicated previous findings.

These showed that CSES was positively related to greed in both studies, with some confirming a moderating effect of siblings, but there were also contrary results.