The answer to this question is no, according to new research. A study at a University in Texas found that men are more likely to have “sexual slip-ups” because their sexual urges are far stronger, not because they are weak and just can’t keep it in their trousers.
The research looked into individuals responses to temptation by asking about their past romances and how their impulses related to self control using a rapid-response test. They were shown good-looking and less attractive members of the opposite sex – and each of the pictures was labelled “good for you” and “bad for you”. Men went for the better-looking women regardless of their label.
The researchers were keen to point out this doesn’t excuse male cheaters, as self-control could keep this in check.
The author said: “When men reflected on their past sexual behaviour, they reported experiencing relatively stronger impulses and acting on those impulses more than women did. When men and women said they actually did exert self-control in sexual situations, impulse strength didn’t predict how much either sex would actually engage in ‘off-limits’ sex.”
The study also looked into an evolutionary reason for men’s cheating. Sexual impulses have an older evolutionary origin than self-control, which may have evolved more recently as a way to control sexual urges that could have “threatened Homo sapiens’ ability to comply with cultural norms and serve as valued group members.” Hmmm. Okaaay then.
Infidelity has been examined before by scientists. In August 2012, a survey showed that most people believe that their partners are most likely to cheat at a work-related event.
Earlier this year another study from across the pond showed that women carry designer clutches to keep their partners from straying. Apparently they felt that carrying a luxury product showed other women they were in a committed relation ship with their partner or boyfriend. The study also revealed that women are more likely to desire expensive products and spend up to 32 per cent more on them when they feel that their romantic relationship is in jeopardy.
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