Experts find correlation between perception of power and loyalty

Being a captain of industry, a politician, or a celebrity doesn’t automatically make you a cheat. But according to a recent study, the likelihood of infidelity is significantly higher among the powerful to work published in Journal of Sex Research.

Psychologists from Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel, and the US-based University of Rochester conducted a series of experiments and discovered that: strength Dynamics play an important role in how people feel and act when it comes to being faithful to their spouse or partner. significant others.

From where? previous research It found that feeling powerful and being perceived as powerful can make people feel more confident and empowered, and possibly act more impulsively. Previous studies It has shown that those with relatively higher levels of power have greater potential to influence, change, or control another person or, conversely, to resist another person’s efforts to influence them.

The new study adds to the body of existing research by applying it specifically to close relationships; It reveals that those who feel more empowered are less dependent on others, more self-reflective, and more confident that others find them desirable.

“One romantic relationship“These power dynamics can lead the more powerful partner to think that they bring more to the table than their less powerful partner,” says lead author Gurit Birnbaum, a professor of psychology at Reichman University.

“Those who are more powerful may see this as a sign that they have more options outside the relationship and are more desirable partners overall.”

Four tests of the relationship power dynamic

Researchers conducted a series of four studies to test how perceptions of relationship strength affect a person’s interest in alternative partners. They recruited participants who had been in monogamous, heterosexual relationships for at least four months.

• In the first study, as a form of power manipulation, participants were asked to describe either a time when they felt powerful towards their current partner or a typical day in their relationship. They then wrote a sexual fantasy about someone other than their partner.
• In the second study, following the same power manipulation, participants looked at photos of strangers and time pressure If so, which ones would they take into consideration? potential partners.
• In the third study, participants described the power dynamics in their current romantic relationship and rated their own perceived power and partner value compared to that of their partner. Participants were then asked to complete a task with an attractive person, a study insider, and then desire for an insider.
• In the fourth study, both partners in a relationship reported individually each day for three weeks on their perceived relationship strength, perceived value as a partner, and any relationship. sexual activities– including sexual fantasies, flirting, or having sex with someone other than their partner.

The destructive side of power

Across four studies, the team found that the perception of power in a relationship significantly predicted a person’s interest in other potential partners. sexual fantasiesdesires and real-life interactions. That is, people who perceived themselves as having more power in their relationships were more interested in others as potential partners.

“Those with a higher sense of power may feel motivated to disregard their commitment to the relationship and act on desires for short-term flings or potentially other, newer partners,” says co-author Harry Reis, a professor. Professor of Psychology and Dean of the University at Rochester.

People who felt stronger in their relationships tended to evaluate their own value as a partner higher than their partner’s value, which could be destructive.

“When people feel empowered and believe they have more relationship options than their current partners, they may tend to pay more attention to other potentially promising alternatives,” says Reis. “The belief in having other options, such as other potential partners, may weaken their commitment to their current relationship.”