Impact of relational proximity on distress from infidelity

Original article:

Impact of relational proximity on distress from infidelity

Evolutionary Psychology 7(4): 560-580 Glenn Geher, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at New Paltz, USAAnthony Cox, Center for Psychology and Computing, Dartmouth, CanadaUlrich S. Tran, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, AustriaAshley Hoben, Social and Organizational Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The NetherlandsAndrew Arrabaca, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at New Paltz, USACorinna Chaize, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at New Paltz, USARobert Dietrich, Department of Psychology, State University of New York at New Paltz, USAMartin Voracek, Department of Basic Psychological Research, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Men are generally more distressed by a partner’s sexual infidelity whereas women are generally more distressed by a partner’s emotional infidelity. The importance of the identity of the interloper, however, has been neglected. We explored the influence of relational proximity (i.e., the degree of genetic relatedness) on distress about infidelity. In Study 1, participants were most distressed when the imagined infidelity occurred between their current mate and close kin. In Study 2, relational proximity mattered more than the type of sexual behavior, the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted disease, and the likelihood of the infidelity leading to a damaged reputation. Together, the results indicate that identity matters, especially if the interloper is someone with whom we have familial bonds.

Keywords

jealousy, genetic relatedness, sex differences, infidelity, kin

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