Power Increases Infidelity Among Men and Women

Abstract

Data from a large survey of 1,561 professionals were used to examine the relationship between power and infidelity and the process underlying this relationship. Results showed that elevated power is positively associated with infidelity because power increases confidence in the ability to attract partners. This association was found for both actual infidelity and intentions to engage in infidelity in the future. Gender did not moderate these results: The relationship between power and infidelity was the same for women as for men, and for the same reason. These findings suggest that the common assumption (and often-found effect) that women are less likely than men to engage in infidelity is, at least partially, a reflection of traditional gender-based differences in power that exist in society.

Social Class and (Un)Ethical Behavior: Evidence from a Large Population Sample

“…Using objective measures, we replicate previous findings about high status individuals and ethically related behavior. Thus we find that such individuals are more individualistic and disengaged (Kraus & Keltner, 2009), report more trust in general survey questions (Alesina & La Ferrara, 2002), and perceive infidelity to be more justifiable (Lammers et al, 2011). Wealthy people perceive cheating on taxes more justifiable.…”

How Power Affects People: Activating, Wanting, and Goal Seeking

“…In another study, power holders ate more appetizing food (chocolates) and less distasteful food (radishes) than those who lacked power. Similarly, power can be associated with infidelity and heightened sexual perceptions (Kunstman & Maner 2011, Lammers et al 2011. Crucially, some evidence suggests that, when given a choice between immediate smaller rewards, such as money, and larger, later rewards, people in power prefer to delay gratification ( Joshi & Fast 2013b).…”

Cheating on Your Spouse: A Game-Theoretic Analysis

“…Then she told me the truth: that she was seeing a psychiatrist, two plumbers, and a bartender." The humor notwithstanding, the available evidence discussed by Parker-Pope [1] and Lammers et al [2] suggests that with the passage of time, this "love for variety" on the part of either spouse in a marriage has become more commonplace in the United States and hence so has the attendant phenomenon of marital infidelity.…”

“…The reader should understand that the extent of marital infidelity is by no means small. In addition to the studies discussed by Parker-Pope [1] and Lammers et al [2], research reviewed by Buss and Shackelford [5] shows that between 30 percent and 60 percent of all married individuals in the United States will engage in infidelity at some point in their marriages.…”