a forgotten draft that should have been published forever and a day ago...
Effects of Infidelity on Men vs. Women Surprise Researchers | LiveScience
The researchers were surprised by the results because they were completely opposite to their hypothesized outcomes. I disagree! Those results are completely in line with motivational theories and self-perceptions theories in social psych. We, as people with meta-awareness, are motivated to maintain internal consistency. Being inconsistent just takes up so many resources when we really loathe to work and expend cognitive energies.
For males in a committed relationship, who are motivated to maintain their relationship, the most important aspect of a relationship is sexual intimacy. To act in a way that is inconsistent with their perception of who they are (someone who values sexual intimacy with their partner) is profoundly disturbing. What happens when we do something that is completely against what we believe in, resulting in damage to a very important interpersonal relationship? We feel guilty.
The same is true for female, however they put more value in the emotional intimacy of the relationship rather than sexual.
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