Sexual Infidelity

Sex Differences in Response to Emotional and Sexual Infidelity

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Sex Differences in Response to Emotional and Sexual Infidelity

Introduction

Focusing on married couples, this study examines the differences between males and females in their response to emotional and sexual infidelity by their partners. Recent studies in this field define infidelity in two ways - sexual infidelity i.e., having sex with someone outside the relationship, and emotional infidelity i.e., developing feelings for someone outside the relationship (Shackelford, Voracek, Schmitt, Buss, Weekes-Shackelford, & Michalski, 2004). Both types of infidelity are common among both males and females for various reasons. This

Attachment style is the level of attachment a person feels toward their partner. It is categorized it into multiple levels - secure, dismissive, preoccupied, and fearful. This style of attachment is often different between the sexes involved in the relationship. Their individual attachment styles are determined by the nature of their relationships in respective early lives. Typically, males are portrayed as dismissive and females preoccupied. Males have a dismissive attachment style where they shun deep relationships, avoid vulnerability, have higher levels of personal autonomy, and are likely to form sexual connections with their partners. Females, on the other hand, tend to be preoccupied and usually validate their unstable self-worth by engaging in close, intimate and emotional relationships. The attachment style is affected by other factors too. For instance, lifestyle factors can dictate the type of attachment style that is adopted (Wiederman & LaMar, 1998). In addition, Burchell and Ward found that factors such as sex drive are significant predictors of the participants’ opinions as to which type of attachment they develop with their partners (2011). This was especially true among

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Levy, K. N., Kelly, K. M. & Jack, E. L. (2006). Sex differences in jealousy: A matter of evolution or attachment history? In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of Romantic Love: Attachment, Caregiving, and Sex, pp. 128-145. London: Guildford Press.

Shackelford, T. K., Voracek, M., Schmitt, D. P., Buss, D. M., Weekes-Shackelford, V. A., & Michalski, R. L. (2004). Romantic jealousy in early adulthood and in later life. Human Nature, 15(3), 283-300.

Wiederman, M. W., & LaMar, L. (1998). "Not with him you don't!": Gender and emotional reactions to sexual infidelity during courtship. Journal of Sex Research, 35(3),