Big-five personality differences of cheaters and non-cheaters

Big-Five Personality Differences of

Cheaters and Non-Cheaters

TRICIA ORZECK

University of Calgary

ESTHER LUNG York University

Infidelity is a major factor in causing marital dissolution and dissatisfaction in North America. Similarities in personality traits influence the desire for a monogamous relationship commitment. The present study examined differences between cheaters and non-cheaters on Goldberg's (1990) "Big-Five Personality Factors": Extroversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Emotional Stability, and Intellect-Openness. One hundred and four participants volunteered to answer a questionnaire on personality traits about themselves and their monogamous partners. A total of 45 males and 59 females rated themselves and an equal number of partners on the traits (n = 208). Results revealed statistically significant differences between cheaters and non-cheaters on the five-factor model. Differences were also found between both of the group's perceptions of themselves and their monogamous partners on these factors.

y oung adults typically pursue one intimate relationship at a time in a practice

called serial monogamy (Seidman & Reider, 1994). Consequently, sexual betrayal is seen as a major rule violation in dating and in marriage by individuals of all ages (Sheppard, Nelson, & Andreoli-Mathis, 1995). Despite the widespread disapproval in North American culture, sexual betrayal is a relatively common occurrence in marriage (Feldman & Cauffman, 1999a).

Early studies reported that by the age of 40, 50% of all married men and more than 25% of all married women have engaged in extramarital sexual behavior (Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, & Gebhard, 1953). Three decades later, an estimated 50% of men continued to engage in sexual and/or emotional extramarital relations while 40% of women engaged in similar relationships (Lawson & Samson, 1988; Thompson, 1984). Feldman and Cauffman (1999b) reported that approximately two-thirds of young adults in a serious committed dating relationship had either perpetrated or experienced sexual betrayal and other types of unfaithful behavior (Sheppard et al., 1995).

Less research exists, however, on the betrayal that occurs within dating relationships. Dating is often viewed as a preparation for marriage, leading to the establishment of behavioral patterns, which are typically maintained in marriage (Rice, 1984). The sexual scripts that individuals learn before marriage may have a significant impact on the likelihood of later extramarital involvement (Hansen, 1985). In addition, be-

Current Psychology: Developmental i Learning i Personality i Social Winter 2005,...