Why do people cheat in relationships?

Question

I'd appreciate any and all answers. I'm doing this for a psychology project. Please no Feminazis, women who think women should rule the world and destroy all men, feminists are fine though, i'm all for equality. And also, please no answers similar to "I'm a man, and as a man I can do whatever the hell I want"

Thank you for answering!

Answer 1

The most common reason why people cheat in relationships is because they are not getting something at home, either emotionally or physically or both. It doesn't justify it or make it right. About 3 years ago I surveyed over 1,200 single men and women ranging from ages 18 to 34 and 78% of them said they had cheated at least once in their life.

Now here is where it gets really fascinating. Everyone had their own definition of "cheating". Some people defined cheating as someone kissing another person. Others said if they caught their b/f or g/f flirting with someone else then they called it cheating. Oh, it gets better......too often one person would say the other person was cheating, but they had only been out on one or a few dates and they never sat down and talked about and defined the relationship!

So they accused the other person of cheating when, in reality, they were not because they never talked about it. People assume way too much when they start dating. People cheat for different reasons and they are usually based on a person's value and belief system.

For example, in today's society less and less people have the VALUE that marriage is a sacred thing. Most people see marriage as something they do and they can easily get out of if things start getting rough. Fewer people today actually value relationships than compared to 50 years ago and there are many reasons for this. Is it any surprise that for the first time ever, in 2006, that there are more single people than married people in the USA today?

Sometimes when people "cheat" it really is NOT cheating. And sometimes it is. But the bottomline is that people cheat because:

1. They are not getting something from their current relationship
2. They are adrenaline addicts, so while they might "like" or "love" their current beau....they are addicted to the excitement of the chase or being pursued.
3. They are a sex-aholic.
4. Their value system is flawed and do not view "cheating" the way you do, which is something they would probably never admit to you, unless you were ready to leave them or somethign along those lines.

Answer 2

I'm one of those feminists u didn't want; but I don't REALLY feel that way. I just don't like society. Well...I believe ppl cheat because they're not happy for whatever reason. It's one thing to go see if u still got it, and u ask someone out, only to get their number or e-mail address, but it's another thing to act on it while ur with another person. Ppl who cheat think they can find happiness in more than one person, and they don't want to let go of the other one because who knows, problems might be worked out, or #2 might leave; atleast if they're juggling, they won't be alone, but if they're manogamous, and break up with their partner first, there's a possibility or being alone. I mean, even if u break up with someone with another one waiting; it's kind of cheating, because technically, ur heart is attached to two ppl; the only difference there is, ur trying to let go of one so u can totally attach to another. Cheatings bad, any way u cut it.

Answer 3

People cheat for a variety of reasons...unhappiness, loneliness, anger, revenge, sex. Generally speaking, women cheat because they are lonely, and want to have that intimacy with someone, even if it's not with their husband or bf. Men tend to cheat for the sex. That's a generalization and not everyone will fall into those categories. Interesting psych project. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Because they don't feel special enough with the person they're with. Or because of drifting relationships. The choice may seem so tempting, and so alluring.... Also another reason is people may believe in loving two people at once, which makes no sense at all. There is only one person just for you, and that person will find you in time. Some people realize that while cheating.
-Hitzusen

Answer 5

Honey I wish I knew.

I have never cheated on anyone so I don't understand what's so hard about it. If ppl would set up boundaries and be more responsible it could be avoided but the world is too selfish nowadays and nobody wants to be a person of character.

Answer 6

People cheat because they aren't happy with what they got, they are looking for something new/exciting, are bored with their partner, are just jurks who don't understand how it's wrong, meet someone they're extremely attracted to, are having a midlife crisis, are insecure and need affirmation of who they are from another person....etc, these are all reasons people cheat and I'm sure there are many more.
Good luck with your project!

Answer 7

They cheat in relationships because they can't be with only one person and there not getting enough love from the one there supposed to be with or they just want more love. Or there current boyfriend/girlfriend doesn't have some of the qualities they want and the other person does but the person wants both of them.

Answer 8

Lack of communication
Get into a rut , do the same things everyday
boredom from knowing exactly what each will do or say
Sexual desires change
Not enough sex
One is tired and the other wants to go out
No romance
No intimacy

Answer 9

I think a) because the grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence and b) people aren't willing to be loyal, do the hard work and stick out the hard times in a relationship.

Answer 10

When people get together and have a relationship they tend to get "tired" of each other. They start to cheat on their partner but they still want their partner. It's like temptation island. They see other people who are more attractive and they want that. My friend started to cheat on his girl and she told me to beat him up. This happened because they got into a fight. Sometimes that also the reason why they cheat.