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Betrayal and punishment within intimate relationships
Julie Fitness1, Trevor I Case1
1Macquarie University, Sydney 2109, Australia.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|January 11, 2026
Summary
This study models how perceived relationship rule violations trigger anger and vengeful impulses. It identifies personality traits and beliefs that lead to severe punishments for intimate partner betrayal.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Betrayal in intimate relationships often involves perceived violations of established relationship rules.
- Understanding the cognitive and emotional responses to betrayal is crucial for relationship dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a social-cognitive model of betrayal and punishment in intimate relationships.
- To explore the attributions of culpability made by betrayed partners.
- To identify factors influencing the severity of punishments imposed.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing social-cognitive theories.
- Examination of the roles of emotions like anger, hurt, jealousy, and shame.
- Description of direct and indirect punishment strategies.
Main Results:
- Betrayal is modeled as a violation of relationship rules, leading to attributions of culpability.
- Emotions such as anger, hurt, jealousy, and shame motivate vengeful impulses and partner punishment.
- Factors like dysfunctional beliefs, harsh attributions, and specific personality traits (entitlement, narcissism, justice sensitivity, spitefulness, sadism, trait anger, contempt) predict severe punishment.
Conclusions:
- The social-cognitive model provides a framework for understanding intimate partner betrayal and punishment.
- Hate plays a significant role in motivating partner harm.
- Further research is needed to refine and test the model's components and implications for relationship functioning.
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