Psychology and Infidelity Liberty University
Emotional and Sexual Infidelity
Liberty University
ABSTRACT There are many ways in which infidelity can be explained depending on what you are reading or with whom you are speaking. Emotional and sexual infidelity is the two most studied forms of infidelity. The cognitive approach to infidelity explains that as our cognition is developing, we are also indirectly learning behaviors that could contribute to infidelity as adults. Infidelity no matter what the circumstances are surrounding it can leave both partners devastated. The circumstances surrounding infidelity can include a broad range excuses. The evolutionary approach to infidelity explains that men are more distressed by their partners committing sexual infidelity, whereas women are more distressed by their partners committing emotional infidelity. A Relationship Questionnaire describes how secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing attachment styles relate to each gender.
Thesis Statement
Upon entering into a relationship, it is implied that it will be monogamous. However, when one partner becomes an infidel, it is not the cheating that is difficult to get overcome. It is the nature of the relationship that the deceiver was engaged in. The determining factor depends on whether or not the relationships can move forward depends on the whether the illicit relationship was an emotional or sexual.
Defining Infidelity
Defining infidelity can vary across the board, depending on the source. However in this research, infidelity will be defined as the follows: “Infidelity is a sexual and/or emotional act engaged in by one person within a committed relationship” (Dean, 2011, p. 15); and “shared with someone outside of the primary relationship without the consent of the other partner”. (Fife, Weeks & Gambescia, 2008, p. 316) When such an act occurs outside of the primary relationship it” constitutes a breach of trust and/or violation of agreed-upon norms (overt and covert) by one or
Liberty University
ABSTRACT There are many ways in which infidelity can be explained depending on what you are reading or with whom you are speaking. Emotional and sexual infidelity is the two most studied forms of infidelity. The cognitive approach to infidelity explains that as our cognition is developing, we are also indirectly learning behaviors that could contribute to infidelity as adults. Infidelity no matter what the circumstances are surrounding it can leave both partners devastated. The circumstances surrounding infidelity can include a broad range excuses. The evolutionary approach to infidelity explains that men are more distressed by their partners committing sexual infidelity, whereas women are more distressed by their partners committing emotional infidelity. A Relationship Questionnaire describes how secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing attachment styles relate to each gender.
Thesis Statement
Upon entering into a relationship, it is implied that it will be monogamous. However, when one partner becomes an infidel, it is not the cheating that is difficult to get overcome. It is the nature of the relationship that the deceiver was engaged in. The determining factor depends on whether or not the relationships can move forward depends on the whether the illicit relationship was an emotional or sexual.
Defining Infidelity
Defining infidelity can vary across the board, depending on the source. However in this research, infidelity will be defined as the follows: “Infidelity is a sexual and/or emotional act engaged in by one person within a committed relationship” (Dean, 2011, p. 15); and “shared with someone outside of the primary relationship without the consent of the other partner”. (Fife, Weeks & Gambescia, 2008, p. 316) When such an act occurs outside of the primary relationship it” constitutes a breach of trust and/or violation of agreed-upon norms (overt and covert) by one or
Bibliography: Bravo, I.M., & Lumpkin, P.W. (2010): The Complex Case of Marital Infidelity: An Explanatory Model of Contributory Processes to Facilitate Psychotherapy, 38:5, 421-432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01926187.2010.522491 Irene M Burchell, J.D., & Ward, J. Sex drive, attachment style, relationship status and previous infidelity as predictors of sex differences in romantic jealousy. Personality and Individual Differences, 51 (2011), 657-66.