Something's missing: need fulfillment and self-expansion as predictors of susceptibility to infidelity

J Soc Psychol. 2006 Aug;146(4):389-403. doi: 10.3200/SOCP.146.4.389-403.

Abstract

The present authors investigated whether an individual's motivations that are related to need fulfillment and self-expansion within a romantic relationship can predict self-reported susceptibility to infidelity. A sample of 109 college students (50 men, 59 women) who were in dating relationships completed questionnaires that assessed 5 types of variables of need fulfillment (i.e., intimacy, companionship, sex, security, and emotional involvement), 3 types of self-expansion variables (i.e., self-expansion, inclusion of the other in the self, and potential for self-expansion), and susceptibility to infidelity. As the present authors predicted, both sets of predictors (need fulfillment and self-expansion) significantly contributed to the variance in susceptibility to infidelity. The present findings indicated the possibility that, when a relationship is not able to fulfill needs or provide ample self-expansion for an individual, his or her susceptibility to infidelity increases.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Extramarital Relations / psychology*
  • Female
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Self Concept*
  • United States