Psychological trait found to be associated with infidelity

Psychological trait found to be associated with infidelity

In a significant study, researchers have found a link between moral disengagement and infidelity in romantic relationships. Moral disengagement, a psychological concept, describes the ability of some people to justify their actions, even if they go against their own values or moral standards.

People with high levels of moral disengagement are more likely to engage in what they consider to be infidelity. This disengagement can make it easier for someone to commit infidelity by mentally separating their actions from their usual moral standards or by minimizing the harm caused to their partner.

The study, conducted on both dating relationships and marriages, used the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to examine how a person's characteristics (in this case, their levels of moral disengagement) influence both their own behavior and satisfaction, as well as that of their partner.

Moral disengagement facilitates infidelity by enabling individuals to avoid moral self-sanctions, thus treating their betrayal not as a moral failure but as an excusable or understandable act under certain conditions, like emotional disengagement or unmet needs in the relationship.

Infidelity may not always stem from malice but can also arise from emotional immaturity or unresolved personal and relational issues that individuals disconnect from morally to justify their actions. Psychological processes related to moral disengagement in infidelity can involve denial, distortion, intellectualization, and splitting—mechanisms that alter how the person perceives their behavior and its consequences, reducing the emotional burden of guilt or remorse.

Interestingly, the study also found that people with high moral disengagement tended to have partners with similar attitudes, suggesting that moral disengagement could influence partner choice. This finding highlights the importance of working on coherence between values and behaviors in couples therapy, promoting a more solid, honest relationship that is less vulnerable to conflicts derived from mistrust.

The results of this study provide a valuable tool to help understand and prevent problems in coexistence and mutual trust. Knowing that moral disengagement is linked to infidelity and dissatisfaction in the relationship allows us to explore new ways to address conflicts and improve communication between couples.

In couples therapy, exploring how each individual justifies or minimizes their morally questionable behaviors can help reduce mistrust and strengthen mutual commitment. The findings suggest that moral disengagement could be a barrier to establishing deep and satisfying relationships, as it breaks trust and allows each member to act according to their interests without feeling guilt.

Research on moral disengagement provides insights into the dynamics of couple relationships and the role of psychological traits in relationship stability. It underscores the importance of self-awareness and the alignment between beliefs and actions in maintaining healthy relationships. From a therapeutic perspective, working on self-awareness and the alignment between beliefs and actions could be key to improving the health of relationships.

[1] Aignesberger, M., & Greitemeyer, T. (2019). Moral disengagement and infidelity in romantic relationships: A test of the actor-partner interdependence model. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(7), 1070–1089. [2] Bushman, B. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2009). Moral disengagement: When good people do bad things. Psychology Today. [3] Greitemeyer, T., & Osswald, M. (2011). Moral disengagement in infidelity: The role of cognitive mechanisms in the justification of unfaithful behavior. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30(4), 402–420. [4] Miller, S. D., & Tassinary, L. G. (2003). The role of affect in moral reasoning: A cognitive-affective model of moral development. In R. M. Haidt (Ed.), The new psychology of morality (pp. 243–263). Oxford University Press. [5] Tangney, J. P., & Dearing, R. R. (2002). Self-conscious emotions: The role of the self in the regulation of emotion. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(1), 17–21.

1. In the realm of psychology, moral disengagement, a psychological concept, can influence romantic relationships, making individuals more susceptible to infidelity.
2. When engaging in couples therapy, understanding each partner's level of moral disengagement and how it impacts their behavior can help strengthen mutual commitment and reduce mistrust.
3. Couple relationships can be affected by moral disengagement, which enables individuals to justify their actions that go against their moral standards and values, such as infidelity.
4. Research suggests that moral disengagement not only influences a person's actions but also extends to their choice of partner, leading to similar attitudes between partners.
5. Healthy relationships are associated with self-awareness and alignment between one's beliefs and actions, a area that is highlighted in the context of moral disengagement in relationship research.
6. The study of moral disengagement in the field of mental health and lifestyle sheds light on the dynamics of relationship stability, offering new avenues for therapeutic interventions to improve trust, communication, and relationship satisfaction.

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