#825 - Macken Murphy - The New Science Of Why Men & Women Cheat
Modern Wisdom
Understanding Infidelity: Gender Dynamics and Relationship Dissatisfaction
Research indicates that women's infidelity often leads to relationship dissolution more frequently than men's. This dynamic highlights that relationship satisfaction functions as a regulatory variable for individuals, where those with lower satisfaction are likely to risk less with infidelity. Consequently, women, facing a higher baseline risk of relationship dissolution, may be more attuned to the 'infidelity discount' associated with their dissatisfaction. This phenomenon supports the mate-switching hypothesis, suggesting that relationally unhappy individuals are more inclined to seek new partners through affairs. However, it is crucial to differentiate that not all relationally dissatisfied individuals wish to mate switch; many still desire to maintain their existing relationship despite their unhappiness. Thus, infidelity is complex, where dissatisfaction doesn’t always correlate directly with a desire for change, as many continue to hope for improvement in their current partnerships.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
