Disloyalty In Committed Connections: Soul Rules The Brain In a Swindle - Lab Report Example

Infidelity xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Name xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lecturer xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date Abstract This paper, is a follow up on the a designed methodology which review infidelity studies in aim of finding out whether people who favor the heart over the head in decision making are considered to have weaker perceptions of infidelity committed in relationships. The paper will highlight what is meant by infidelity in its introduction where a hypothesis of the study will be formulated. The hypothesis is that rationality will be negatively associated whereas experientiality is negatively associated to perceptions of infidelity. Various attitudes of infidelity, types of infidelity and prevalence date will be discussed in the literature review. Finally, REI method will be used to justify the hypothesis which will later be discussed in the results and findings. Introduction Infidelity is and has been a subject which widely confronts couples therapists in the regular clinical practices. According to Blow & Hartnett (2005), for all those involved in it, infidelity can be heart wrenching and confusing. To many, infidelity is defined in numerous ways and one which comprises several activities. Infidelity is defined as having extramarital affair or cheating by way of being involved in a romantic relationship outside one committed relationship thus resulting to a sense of betrayal. Infidelity can be divided in two namely emotional and sexual. Sexual infidelity is whereby a person engages in a sexual intercourse with another individual other than his partner. Emotional infidelity is defined as falling in love or sharing a strong emotional bond with another person who is not your partner (Blow & Hartnett, 2005). This study focuses on understanding whether people who tend to favor their heart over their head in decision making also have weaker perceptions of infidelity in committed relationships. In more deeper understanding, if will formulize a hypothesis that rationality which is a measure of REI is positively associated to perceptions within infidelity and also, experientiality which is also a measure of REI is negatively associated to perceptions of infidelity. The study focuses on bringing people together on up to date research on infidelity issues. In the literature review, different opinions about infidelity will be issued concerning the issue widely discussing on the above mentioned hypothesis. The data used in this paper will therefore be interpreted in relation to the methodology so as to conclusively link the results and finding section. The study of infidelity in committed relationships in relation to finding whether the heart rule the head during cheating is very complex due to many factors involved. This involves the use of a rational system that is consciously controlled logically and whose affect is free and an experimental system which is considered to be pre-conscious, automatic and one which is tied to affect and institution. Blow & Hartnett (2005) maintains that, many people tend to think that infidelity is defined as having a physical or sexual act with someone different other than your partner. Research indicates that there is a certain prominent difference that exists between women and men response to various acts of infidelity. Women considered an emotional relationship outside one which is committed as an unfaithful act even in the absence of any kind of physical component. On the other hand, men primarily consider sexual or physical contact to be more of an infidelity as opposed to emotional engagement outside a committed relationship. Ultimately, infidelity or cheating is those feelings or behaviors which are considered to go against one’s partners expectations in an exclusive relationship (Blow & Hartnett, 2005). Thornton & Nagurney (2005) asserts that, attitudes displayed by infidelity are very essential in that various researches affirm that people with more permissiveness towards infidelity are at a more risk of engaging in infidelity. Individuals who are well educated, who stay in big metropolitan areas and are dissatisfied in their marital relationship have greater chances of accepting infidelity. Thornton & Nagurney (2005) asserts that, the size of a community is also predictor of extra marital relationship. Effects attributed by various factors of extra marital affairs appear to be different based on attitudes towards infidelity. These factors are; gender, culture, type of primary relationship (either heterosexual or homosexuality) behavior making up infidelity (kissing, oral sex) and initial experience of infidelity. Based on prevalence of people engaging in infidelity more men as compared to women engage in extra marital affairs. This study is conducted in order to provide infidelity through the use of Epstein cognitive experiential self theory widely referring to individual preference on rationality or emotional based thinking. According to Epstein (1994), dual theory of information processing was introduced as a way of placing deviant behavior such as infidelity in the realm of sciences especially psychology. Development of psychology is considered to be the defining moment in that deviant behavior such as infidelity has widely been explained by inhabitation of organic disease and spirits. Epstein (1994) maintains that, experiential self theory classifies infidelity as a breach of commitment; trusts either by way of emotional or physical contact outside one’s romantic partner (Epstein, 1994). Clearly, the transformation experienced in ones thinking when emotionally aroused provide a different way of thinking compared to when a person is unemotional. Individual who are emotional think in a manner which is categorical, concretive, action oriented, personal and unreflective. Generally, if human information processing occurs out of awareness and is highly governed by set of principles both from Freudian unconsciousness and conscious ration thinking then, this is perceived to have to have essential implications for theories that surrounds personality. Epstein (1994) maintains that, within the context of a global theory of personality, cognitive experiential self theory is widely considered to emphasis the two interactive models of information namely experiential and rational. Methodology The study was conducted on a total of 417 respondents who constituted of 78 male aged from 19 to 65 years thus having a mean age of 34 (M=34, SD=11.01) and 339 female who had mean age of 18 to 67 years thus having a mean age of 33 (M=33, SD=10.63). The respondents had a categorical variable where the males were coded 1 and the females were coded 2. The relationship status for the respondents had a categorical variable of 1 to 5. The respondents were grouped in to five groups which consisted of married, not married but committed in an opposite sex relationship, not married but in a committed same sex relationship , in a casual opposite sex relationship and the single. Procedure The respondents were to answer 40 items (20 rational and 20 experiential) questions aimed at testing their perception of infidelity, agency ratings, communions, unadulterated agency and unadulterated communion. The respondents were to check on the situations that they perceived to comprise of infidelity. For the gender-related trait survey, the study employed the Likert scales that ranged from 1-5 based on how the respondents strongly disagreed or agreed with a given statement. Some of the items on the questionnaire were reversed scored. The reliability of the Likert scale was based on Cronbach’s α = 88 for rationality and α = 89 for experientility. (Thornton & Nagurney, 2005). The instruments The questionnaire was constructed in a checklist format that consisted of 40 items. The respondents were to indicate their perception of the acts presented as being forms of infidelity. 19 items aimed at testing on this which had to be rated from 1 to 5. The mean score to be used for the analyses was to have a possible score of 1 to 5 with a reliability scale of α= 88. Some questions in the respondents form included “is kissing someone on the lips an act of infidelity?” “Is having oral sex with someone other than your partner part of infidelity?” The questionnaire also aimed at identifying if the respondents relied on the heart or the mind or brain while making a decision that might or will put them in a situation of infidelity Findings Gender differences A descriptive statistics of the gender differences is represented in the table below. Variable Males (n = 78) Females (n = 339) M SD M SD t- test for differences Rationality 3.65 0.48 3.59 0.50 t(415) =1.04ns Experientiality 3.35 0.50 3.56 0.46 t(415) = 3.55, p < .001 Perception of infidelity 2.97 0.61 3.25 0.58 t(415) = 3.91, p < .001 Perception of infidelity A total mean rate of 3.34 of the respondents perceived the act of Being in a committed monogamous relationship, while hiding an emotional attachment to someone other than your partner as infidelity. A total mean rate of 4.35 perceived an intimate kiss (kiss on the lips) with someone other than your partner as infidelity. A total mean rate 4.94 perceived the act of engaging in a sexual intercourse with someone other that your partner as being infidelity. Many of the respondents who represented a mean rate of 4.75 perceived the act of engaging in oral sex with someone who is not your partner as being infidelity. Conversations on phone which were sexual with a person who is not your partner was also perceived to be infidelity by a mean total of 4.35 of the respondents. Discussion From the results from the survey, it is not clear that most respondents and mainly female believe that the heart is the best to rely on the heart to make choices on infidelity. This implies that the hypothesis does not stand. The male respondents had no problem with infidelity but relied more on the mind than the heart. Epstein (1994) asserts that, personality traits play a major role in making rationale decision. In many cases, peer pressure plays a large proportion in both sexes and gender in infidelity. Other social factors that contribute to infidelity include the family set up, background and the financial situation of the parties involved. The ability to be able to form informed choices and the availability of pregnancy and methodologies that are able to have them prevent the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases has made infidelity not to be a big deal for many respondents and the large population. The societal moral values that have been eroded through the dynamism of the world as a result of globalization have had a great effect on the perception of infidelity. The family background and the peer influence in addition to other aspects of life have an effect in shaping the personality of an ideal person who is best suited to be faithful and not to indulge in infidelity. The research findings are thus based on the hypothesis that relationship and personality related factors are the causes of infidelity (Epstein, 1994). References Blow, A & Hartnett, K. (2005). Infidelity in committed relationships II: A substantive review. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 31, 217–233. Thornton, V & Nagurney, A, 2011, What is infidelity? Perceptions based on biological sex and personality, Psychology Research and Behavior Management, Texas State University – San Marcos,San Marcos, Texas, USA Epstein, S. (1994). Integration of the cognitive and the psychodynamic unconscious. American Psychologist, 49, 709–724. Epstein, S, 1999,The relation of rational and experiential information processing styles to personality, basic beliefs, and the ratio-bias phenomenon. Jounal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76, 972-987. Read More

Blow & Hartnett (2005) maintains that, many people tend to think that infidelity is defined as having a physical or sexual act with someone different other than your partner. Research indicates that there is a certain prominent difference that exists between women and men response to various acts of infidelity. Women considered an emotional relationship outside one which is committed as an unfaithful act even in the absence of any kind of physical component. On the other hand, men primarily consider sexual or physical contact to be more of an infidelity as opposed to emotional engagement outside a committed relationship.

Ultimately, infidelity or cheating is those feelings or behaviors which are considered to go against one’s partners expectations in an exclusive relationship (Blow & Hartnett, 2005). Thornton & Nagurney (2005) asserts that, attitudes displayed by infidelity are very essential in that various researches affirm that people with more permissiveness towards infidelity are at a more risk of engaging in infidelity. Individuals who are well educated, who stay in big metropolitan areas and are dissatisfied in their marital relationship have greater chances of accepting infidelity.

Thornton & Nagurney (2005) asserts that, the size of a community is also predictor of extra marital relationship. Effects attributed by various factors of extra marital affairs appear to be different based on attitudes towards infidelity. These factors are; gender, culture, type of primary relationship (either heterosexual or homosexuality) behavior making up infidelity (kissing, oral sex) and initial experience of infidelity. Based on prevalence of people engaging in infidelity more men as compared to women engage in extra marital affairs.

This study is conducted in order to provide infidelity through the use of Epstein cognitive experiential self theory widely referring to individual preference on rationality or emotional based thinking. According to Epstein (1994), dual theory of information processing was introduced as a way of placing deviant behavior such as infidelity in the realm of sciences especially psychology. Development of psychology is considered to be the defining moment in that deviant behavior such as infidelity has widely been explained by inhabitation of organic disease and spirits.

Epstein (1994) maintains that, experiential self theory classifies infidelity as a breach of commitment; trusts either by way of emotional or physical contact outside one’s romantic partner (Epstein, 1994). Clearly, the transformation experienced in ones thinking when emotionally aroused provide a different way of thinking compared to when a person is unemotional. Individual who are emotional think in a manner which is categorical, concretive, action oriented, personal and unreflective. Generally, if human information processing occurs out of awareness and is highly governed by set of principles both from Freudian unconsciousness and conscious ration thinking then, this is perceived to have to have essential implications for theories that surrounds personality.

Epstein (1994) maintains that, within the context of a global theory of personality, cognitive experiential self theory is widely considered to emphasis the two interactive models of information namely experiential and rational. Methodology The study was conducted on a total of 417 respondents who constituted of 78 male aged from 19 to 65 years thus having a mean age of 34 (M=34, SD=11.01) and 339 female who had mean age of 18 to 67 years thus having a mean age of 33 (M=33, SD=10.63). The respondents had a categorical variable where the males were coded 1 and the females were coded 2.

The relationship status for the respondents had a categorical variable of 1 to 5. The respondents were grouped in to five groups which consisted of married, not married but committed in an opposite sex relationship, not married but in a committed same sex relationship , in a casual opposite sex relationship and the single.

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