What Are the 5 Different Types of Infidelity

A psychologist is on hand to assist you to understand how adultery occurs.

IN THIS ARTICLE

• Opportunistic Infidelity
• Obligatory Infidelity
• Romantic Infidelity
• Conflicted Romantic Infidelity
• Commemorative Infidelity
• Next Steps After Being Cheated On

The effects of infidelity are varied, and it is natural to want to know why your partner chose to cheat, even if understanding why provides no comfort. There could be a variety of reasons, and various sorts of infidelity and adultery could provide some insight on those reasons.

What Is Infidelity?

The act of being unfaithful to a spouse or other partner is referred to as infidelity or cheating. It usually refers to having sexual or romantic interactions with someone other than one's significant other, as well as violating a commitment or promise in the process.

Each incidence of infidelity is unique and serves a distinct purpose. Although knowing why a partner cheated is unlikely to heal your anguish, being able to rationalize and define the behavior would. It can also make you feel more confident about moving on from the situation, whether that means working on healing your relationship or moving on if you decide to split up.

Learn more about the five types of cheating and what to do if you are the victim of infidelity in the sections below.

Opportunistic Infidelity

When a person is in love and attached to their partner, they may succumb to their sexual urge for someone else. This sort of cheating is typically motivated by situational conditions or opportunity, risk-taking behavior, and the use of alcohol or drugs. According to social psychologist Theresa E. DiDonato, "Not every act of infidelity is planned and motivated by discontent with a current relationship... Perhaps they were drunk or were otherwise thrown into an unexpected opportunity."

The more in love a person is with their lover after the fact, the more guilt they will feel as a result of their sexual interaction. However, when the dread of being detected fades, so do emotions of guilt.

Obligatory Infidelity

This sort of infidelity is motivated by the fear of being rejected if you oppose someone's sexual advances. People who have sexual desire, love, and attachment for a partner may cheat because they have a strong need for approbation. Furthermore, their need for acceptance can induce individuals to act in ways that contradict their other emotions. In other words, some people cheat not because they want to cheat, but because they need the approval that comes with being seen by others.

Romantic Infidelity

"Sometimes (but not usually), a lack in an existing relationship leads to extradyadic affairs," DiDonato explains. When a cheater has little emotional attachment to their partner, this sort of infidelity occurs. They may be committed to making their marriage work, yet they want an intimate, loving connection with someone else. Their commitment to the marriage will most likely keep them from ever leaving their spouse. Romantic infidelity causes suffering for both the other man or woman and the cheating spouse, and it rarely leads to a long-term, committed relationship. Before a partner will leave the marriage for another individual, the marital difficulties must be severe.

Conflicted Romantic Infidelity

When people feel true love and sexual desire for more than one person at the same time, they commit infidelity. Despite our utopian ideals of just having one genuine love, it is possible to have deep romantic love for more than one person at the same time. While such scenarios are emotionally feasible, they are extremely challenging and cause a great deal of anxiety and stress. In this situation, unfaithful partners frequently wind-up injuring everyone in their attempt not to cause anyone harm.

Commemorative Infidelity

When a person is in a committed relationship but has no feelings for their partner, this form of adultery occurs. There is no sexual desire, affection, or attachment between the pair; only a sense of obligation holds them together. "Lack of love and lack of commitment to a present romantic partner are both linked to overall emotions of relationship discontent," DiDonato explains.

These people excuse infidelity by telling themselves that they have the right to seek out what they are lacking in their current relationship. Unfulfilled sexual needs might easily play a role in this situation. "Perhaps folks aren't engaging in the frequency of sex, kind of sex, or specific sexual activities that they want in their established relationship," DiDonato adds. "This may add to their motivation to cheat."

Next Steps After Being Cheated On

Now that you've presumably cleared up any confusion, it's up to you to decide what measures to take next. Marriages and relationships can survive infidelity, but the sort of infidelity and the amount of work you're both prepared to put in will determine whether or not yours can. It goes without saying that an opportunistic cheater would cheat regardless of how many times their deception is uncovered and forgiven. However, just because your spouse strayed once doesn't imply, they won't betray again, so keep that in mind when considering what steps to take next.