While scientists have questioned whether this way of life truly is better than non-monogamy, they’ve yet to reach a consensus – and, new research argues that this is because even scientists have upheld an ‘invisible’ bias on the subject.

In the study, researchers reviewed of several earlier works and surveyed more than 2,000 people, and found that non-monogamous relationships are just as ‘functional’ as traditional ones.

Of the group surveyed in the new study from the University of Michigan, 617 participants were in consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationships, according to Quartz.

The researchers measured for trust, jealousy, passion, and overall satisfaction, and found that there were no differences in how the relationships function.

Still, non-monogamy remains somewhat taboo, and the researchers say the cultural dominance of more traditional relationships could be effecting the way intimacy is studied.

In earlier studies, the researchers suspect scientists may have unconsciously skewed their results by using non-neutral rhetoric, among other influencers.

Academic surveys often use phrases such as ‘offended party,’ or ‘betrayed partner,’ along with ‘infidelity’ and ‘cheating.’

Such terms are directive, the researchers argue, and can sway the outcome of the study by making it more likely for monogamy to receive higher ‘scores.’

‘The fact that we can allow our discussion to be so emotionally led probably doesn’t allow us to really think in a logical manner,’ lead author Terri Conley told Quartz.

In a smaller study with 100 participants from Mechanical Turk, the researchers from the University of Michigan also investigated the ways people react to researchers when asked about non-monogamous relationships.



And, they found that the researchers were seen to be more biased when asking questions about polyamory, according to Quartz.

As scientists work to understand the complexity of human relationships, the researchers say the studies themselves are being hindered by these ‘invisible’ biases.

In the study, they argue that ‘the premise that monogamy is superior to other types of non-monogamous relational arrangements continues to permeate the ways in which researchers construct and test theories of love and intimacy.’

/Daily Mail/

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