Researchers have explored cheating from different angles, particularly through an evolutionary lens. According to this viewpoint, women tend to be more affected by emotional cheating, given their historical role as primary caregivers. Emotional betrayal poses a greater threat to family stability. Men, historically providers, are more sensitive to sexual cheating due to concerns about paternity uncertainty.
However, the social-cognitive perspective challenges the idea of jealousy as a simple module. Instead, it sees jealousy as a mix of emotions, with anger being a significant component in response to cheating.
In summary, these perspectives show the complex interplay between evolutionary factors and social-cognitive dynamics in understanding cheating. While the evolutionary view focuses on gender-specific responses rooted in ancestral roles, the social-cognitive perspective presents a nuanced understanding of jealousy as a complex emotional response with distinct components. Together, these perspectives contribute to a comprehensive exploration of cheating and its psychological aspects.
Reference:
Rokach A, Chan SH. Love and Infidelity: Causes and Consequences. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Feb 22;20(5):3904. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20053904. PMID: 36900915; PMCID: PMC10002055.