In this episode, Dr. Morgentaler and Dr. Brandon talk about why some people cheat without guilt, based on a survey of Ashley Madison users, and identify the motivations behind their actions.
00:14 Ashley Madison and Cheating Motivations: Dr. Morgenthaler and Dr. Brandon discuss a 2023 study from The Archives of Sexual Behavior, examining why users of the Ashley Madison website cheat without guilt.
01:27 Survey Findings and Participant Demographics: The study revealed that most participants were middle-aged, with a significant number being repeat offenders who had prior infidelity experiences and permission from their partners.
02:05 Generalizability and Specificity of the Study: Dr. Morgenthaler and Dr. Brandon discuss the study's limited applicability to the general population, given the specific, risk-taking group surveyed, who were already open about their past affairs.
05:39 Sexual Dissatisfaction and Autonomy: The main motivations behind infidelity were sexual dissatisfaction and a desire for personal autonomy, with many users feeling that their sexual needs weren’t being met in their primary relationships.
08:53 Addressing Sexual Issues in Long-Term Relationships: They emphasize the importance of open communication and proactive solutions to address sexual dissatisfaction, recognizing the challenges of maintaining intimacy in long-term relationships.
Resources:
Selterman, D., Joel, S., & Dale, V. (2023). Correction to: No remorse: Sexual infidelity is not clearly linked with relationship satisfaction or well-being in Ashley Madison users. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52(9), 2575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02608-4
With Dr. Abraham Morgentaler and Dr. Marianne Brandon
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