Study Links Power to Increased Infidelity

Recent research has found that individuals in positions of power are significantly more likely to engage in infidelity, as they often perceive themselves as more desirable and with more options outside their relationships. Led by Professor Gurit Birnbaum from Reichman University and the University of Rochester, the study involved four experiments with participants in monogamous relationships, where they explored feelings of power and their implications on sexual fantasies and desires. The findings suggest that power dynamics can lead the more powerful partner to feel superior, increasing the likelihood of cheating. Notable figures such as Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Tiger Woods exemplify this trend, as their powerful statuses may have contributed to their notorious affairs. This research sheds light on how power can enhance feelings of entitlement and impulsivity in romantic contexts, an area that has previously been under-explored.