Question about relationship - Research Paper Example

Why men cheat Why men cheat? Relationships and their determining factors of success have always been an area of interest among psychologists, sociologists and other individuals within the community. One question concerning relationships that has always been consistently asked is faithfulness and the reason why people seek relations from other individuals even if they are happily married with their spouses or have good relations with their lover. This trait has also been found to be more prominent among the males.

Lammers, Stoker and Pollmann (2011) analyzed this aspect of relationships and attempted to illustrate the impact power has on infidelity or unfaithful behavior. The study carried out involved a sample group of 1 561 individuals who were used in assessing the above mentioned correlation between power and infidelity (Lammers, Stoker & Pollmann, 2011). The study found that power is a contributory factor in unfaithful practices among individuals in a relationship. The correlation was based on the hypothesis that power increases the confidence level in an individual; hence he feels that he possesses the capability of attracting several partners.

In addition, the study determined that power was also influential in thoughts of infidelity and the likelihood of this event occurring in the future. Therefore, this aspect can be used to illustrate the reason why society has the perception that men are more likely to cheat than women. This can be attributed to the fact that the majority of families or relationships are on the basis that the male is the more powerful and dominant member. Therefore on the basis of this study he has a higher possibility to commit infidelity due to the mindset he possesses as a result of his role in the relationship.

In essence, the reason why men cheat can be attributed the gender roles that are prominent in society (Lammers, Stoker & Pollmann, 2011). Another study that has been carried out to assess the reason why men are more likely to cheat than women involves the analysis of their perception and values in a relationship. This has been compared with that of women in order to efficiently analyze the subject matter. A sample group was evaluated and women were found to place their emphasis on the love aspect of a relationship, whilst men found the sexual part very important.

These two contrasting values illustrate why men are more likely to cheat as women have a stronger emotional connection to a relationship whilst men possess a stronger physical attraction (Anderson, 2010). It takes a shorter time for an individual to build a physical attraction, whilst strong emotional connections are fixed take a longer period of time to establish (Anderson). Therefore, women are less likely to encounter an individual who they can form an emotional connection with whilst they are in a relationship, hence infidelity is less common among females.

There are several aspects that influence the stability of relationships; however some natural instincts make males more likely to cheat. The two studies analyzed showed that power has an influence on an individual’s mindset and can lead him or her to infidelity. Since men are frequently the more powerful partner, they are prone to infidelity. In addition, their values in relationships also influences whether they will commit unfaithful acts. ReferencesAnderson, A. (2010). Men Value Sex, Women Value Love?. Scientific AmericanMind, 21(2), 9-9.

Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., Jordan, J., Pollmann, M., & Stapel, D. A. (2011). Power increasesinfidelity among men and women. Psychological science, 22(9), 1191-1197.