People with high-paying jobs are more likely to be cheat on their partners, a new study has found.
According to research led by Social Psychologist Dr Joris Lammers, people in a position of power in their career almost 3/4 more likely to cheat on their partners than those in lesser paying jobs. A survey consisted that collected data from 610 heterosexual men and women found that 9% of people in lower management had been unfaithful in a relationship, while 24% of people in middle management said they had cheated and a whopping 37% of people in top management admitted that they had engaged in infidelity.
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The study gave a few reasons as to why people may believe that this is the case, suggesting that “power psychologically releases people from the inhibiting effects of social norms and thus increases their appetite for counternormative forms of sexuality,” or that “power makes men (but not women) seem more attractive to others and thus increases their access to potential mating opportunities.” However, the study dispelled the latter theory, stating that “the link between power and infidelity was observed just as strongly in women as in men.” So there you have it: the popular opinion that women are more likely to be attracted to money has been debunked.
The research also claimed that although there were more media scandals involving men in power being unfaithful, it doesn’t necessarily mean that men are more likely to cheat, with the study stating that “men are still more likely than women to hold public office and other powerful positions,” therefore rending them more likely to be involved in a Bill Clinton-esque sex scandal than women.
While you may believe that the sexual exploits of the wealthy are more sordid than due to them having bundles of cash and therefore an inflated sense of self worth, the study suggests that it is power that draws people to the counternormative aspects of infidelity. So if you’re a well-paid manager and you’ve been cheating on your significant other, don’t forget to tell them that it’s just natural for you to do so, and that power has irrevocably drawn you into your adulterous lifestyle against your own will. We’re sure that’ll work.
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