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Carpenter, C. J. (2012). Meta-analyses of sex differences in responses to sexual versus emotional infidelity: Men and women are more similar than different. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 36(1), 25-37.

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Article

Imagined Infidelity Scenario Forgiveness and Distress: The Role of Method of Discovery and Specific Cheating Behavior

1Department of Psychology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina, USA


Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. 2013, Vol. 1 No. 2, 11-15
DOI: 10.12691/rpbs-1-2-1
Copyright © 2013 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Terry F. Pettijohn II, Arsida Ndoni. Imagined Infidelity Scenario Forgiveness and Distress: The Role of Method of Discovery and Specific Cheating Behavior. Research in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. 2013; 1(2):11-15. doi: 10.12691/rpbs-1-2-1.

Correspondence to: Terry F. Pettijohn II, Department of Psychology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina, USA. Email: pettijohn@coastal.edu

Abstract

Male and female college students (N=437) from the U.S. read imagined scenarios of infidelity manipulated for discovery method (close friend tells, partner’s best friend tells, stranger tells, questioning partner, caught partner, and partner confesses) and infidelity act (sex, massage, falling in love, bought present, went out to dinner, and kissing). Participants rated how upsetting each scenario was and the likelihood they would forgive their partner if this were to happen. Sexual infidelity was rated the most upsetting and least forgivable imagined infidelity act by both men and women, especially when imagining the infidelity act being discovered in person. Discovering infidelity by means of a stranger was the least upsetting and most likely to be forgiven. Contrary to previous findings, men were less upset by all types of imagined infidelity than women and men were also more likely to forgive the indiscretions. Implications for relationships are discussed.

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