It is an accepted idea among most men and some women that make-up sex is a great way to move past relationship issues, but it may not as effective as it seems.
Recent research has discovered that make-up sex after an argument might not be the best form of post-fight therapy, TheCable.ng reports.
Researchers at Buckness University, Pennsylvania, surveyed data from 74 men and women – who were asked to name five actions or behaviors that men and women engage in to reconcile with their partners after a fight.
Their answers were then grouped into 21 categories of possible reconciliation behaviors.
Subsequently, the options given by the participants were given to an additional group of men and women to determine which methods were most effective.
While most men chose make-up sex, women found it more effective when their partner apologised, cried and spent time with them after a quarrel.
Overall, it was found that showing emotional commitment is the best way of reconciling a conflict between lovers.
Lead researcher and study author, Joel Wade said that the results showed that women yearn to have their partners apologise and spend time with them after a fight, rather than just launching into make-up sex.
“Women may find the act of their male partner apologizing to be an effective reconciliation tactic because it is viewed as an altruistic act,” said Wade.
“A man’s apology may redirect the cost of romantic conflict to himself rather than to his partner and thereby demonstrate his ability to provide emotional support and incur personal costs for his partner.”
The findings were published in Springer’s journal Evolutionary Psychological Science.