SCIENTIFIC FACTS ABOUT CHEATING & WHY PEOPLE CHEAT

DIFFERENCES IN THE "HAPPY HORMONE" AFFECT

OUR LIKELIHOOD TO CHEAT

The neurotransmitter dopamine floods into our system after

we do pleasurable activities such as eating food or having sex.

Two different types of dopamine exist and our bodies

genetically produce one or the other. Scientists have found that

people with the long version cheat on their partners at a much

higher rate – 50% vs 22% – than those with the short version.

People with the long version are also more likely to take risks

and face problems with addiction.

MOST MAMMALS ARE POLYGAMOUS

Only 3% of mammals are monogamous – and humans are

included in that group, most of the time. What’s strange is

that most other species of primates, our genetic relatives,

don’t stay with the same partner for life as we do.

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS LED TO MORE CHEATING

The rise of social media has paralleled a rise in infidelity. Why?

With sites like Facebook and Instagram, people can re-connect

with old lovers, increasing the amount of affairs and breakups.

LARGER TESTICLES = MORE CHEATING?

Species in which males have large testicles are more likely to have

promiscuous females. While promiscuity doesn’t necessarily

involve cheating (especially since most of these species are

non-monogamous), it’s interesting to see the correlation.

Scientists believe the males developed larger testicles to store

more sperm and be able to mate more frequently with the

females to increase their chances of passing on their

biological material.

HOW MONOGAMY DEVELOPED

Recent studies have concluded that monogamy evolved in

primates due to infanticide where foreign males would kill

their rivals’ infants and take over their females. Nowadays,

since we’ve progressed as a species and infanticide is rather

rare, we may be more likely to stray from our pairs.

LEVELS OF THE CUDDLE HORMONE AFFECT CHEATING

Though the hormone vasopressin is primarily responsible

for keeping water in the body and constricting our blood

vessels, this “cuddle hormone” helps us form pair bonds.

People with lower levels of vasopressin are more likely to

be cheaters and feel less trust in a relationship.

MOST MARRIED PEOPLE WILL CHEAT

About 50% of married women and 60% of married men will have

an affair while married – these numbers are double what

they were a decade ago.

THE DEEPER (OR HIGHER) YOUR VOICE, THE MORE

LIKELY YOUR PARTNER THINKS YOU'RE CHEATING

The deeper a man’s voice, the more likely a women is to

assume he’ll cheat on her. Similarly, men assume women with

higher-pitched voices are more likely to cheat on them.

This is because pitch is related to our amount of testosterone

and oestrogen. Despite these pre-set instincts, women

generally find men with deeper voices to be more attractive,

at least for short-term relationships.

CHEATING DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE UNHAPPY

IN THE RELATIONSHIP

Though it sounds contrary to common sense, cheaters often

report being happy in their current relationship. Around 56%

of men and 34% of women who cheated reported being

“happy” or “very happy” in their relationship.