Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
04:22
Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility
Published on: May 30, 2025
Power increases infidelity among men and women
Joris Lammers1, Janka I Stoker, Jennifer Jordan
1Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands. j.lammers@uvt.nl
Psychological Science
|July 21, 2011
Summary
Elevated power increases confidence in attracting partners, leading to higher rates of infidelity for both men and women. This suggests societal gender power differences may explain why women traditionally engage in infidelity less often than men.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Traditional gender roles often associate infidelity rates differently between men and women.
- Societal power structures may influence individual behavior, including infidelity.
- Understanding the psychological mechanisms linking power to infidelity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between an individual's level of power and their propensity for infidelity.
- To explore the psychological process through which power influences infidelity.
- To examine whether gender moderates the power-infidelity association.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 1,561 professionals.
- Statistical analysis to examine correlations between power, confidence, and infidelity (actual and intentional).
- Testing for moderation effects of gender.
Main Results:
- Higher levels of power were positively associated with both actual infidelity and intentions to engage in infidelity.
- This association is mediated by increased confidence in the ability to attract romantic partners.
- Gender did not moderate the relationship; the effect of power on infidelity was consistent for men and women.
Conclusions:
- Power enhances mating confidence, which in turn increases infidelity risk for all genders.
- Observed gender differences in infidelity rates may be partly explained by historical and societal disparities in power.
- The findings challenge assumptions about inherent gender differences in infidelity, highlighting the role of situational power.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Jealousy in Romantic Relationships
Jealousy is an instinctive yet socially complex emotion that arises when a close relationship is threatened. Its origins lie in both biological imperatives and sociocultural conditioning, making it a multifaceted psychological construct. Although universally experienced, the triggers and expressions of jealousy vary notably between individuals, especially across genders, due to evolutionary pressures and cultural influences.Gender Differences and Evolutionary TheoryEvolutionary theory explains...
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:27Relationship Growth
Interpersonal relationships progress through stages, beginning with awareness and moving toward mutuality, where emotional connections deepen. While many relationships remain at moderate levels of mutuality, deeper connections form through self-disclosure, trust, and interdependence.Self-DisclosureSelf-disclosure involves revealing personal information, starting with surface-level details and gradually progressing to more intimate content. As trust grows, individuals feel more comfortable...
01:29Close Relationships and Culture
Culture shapes how people approach attraction, choose partners, and build long-term relationships. While some preferences in mate selection appear consistent across cultures, such as men valuing physical attractiveness and women emphasizing financial resources, cultural contexts influence how these preferences are expressed and prioritized. Marriage extends beyond romantic ideals in many societies and is deeply embedded in social, economic, and religious frameworks.The Role of Culture in Mate...
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
01:28Factors Influencing Attraction IV: Reciprocity
Reciprocity in attraction is fundamental to social and romantic relationships, shaping how individuals form and maintain connections. The psychological principle underlying this phenomenon is that people tend to like those who express liking toward them. Balance theory supports this tendency, suggesting that mutual attraction fosters psychological harmony, whereas one-sided affection leads to discomfort and cognitive dissonance.The Psychological Mechanisms Behind ReciprocityWhen individuals...