The 9 types of infidelity and their characteristics
Infidelity is considered the greatest betrayal that can be committed against the other member of the relationship. When we have a partner, in most cases (with the exception of open couples), we unconsciously sign an implicit contract that implies loyalty, exclusivity and respect.
Fidelity is one of the basic pillars on which a traditional couple's relationship is based, and when it is compromised, it is difficult to regain stability and make the relationship work as before. Now, complicated does not mean impossible, because there are couples who overcome this delicate situation.
Of course, overcome these crises depends largely on which of the types of infidelity has been committed . In this article we will talk about them.
- Related article: "Infidelity: the second most important problem in relationships"
Infidelity is a thing of both men and women
When most of us think of infidelity, surely the first thing that comes to mind is sex. However, physical infidelity is not the only type of adultery that exists. As explained by a group of Norwegian researchers who conducted a study that was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, an infidelity hurts us even if the sexual act has not taken place. And it is that when they deceive us, whether with sex or not, we feel that trust has been lost. How can we trust that person who claimed to love us with all his heart?
In recent years infidelities are on the rise , and surely the new technologies have something to do. Thanks to Facebook, WhatsApp or the different apps to flirt, it is becoming easier to have relationships outside of the couple. There is also an increasing temptation to carry out infidelities.
Now, infidelity is not exclusively a problem for men. According to a study carried out by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP), one in three women cheats has cheated their partner at some time, so there are no differences between the sexes in this sense .
- Related article: "Overcoming an infidelity: the 5 keys to achieve it"
Types of infidelity
Not all kinds of infidelity are the same. But ... what types of infidelity are there? Relationships outside of marriage or the romantic partner can be classified in different ways.
1. Direct
Direct infidelity is one in which the infidel has in mind to deceive his partner. That is, before the infidelity occurs the person has already made movements to be able to have relationships with another person. In short, it is deliberate and planned .
For example, when an individual points to a portal like Ashley Madison (whose function is that users carry out extramarital affairs) and remains with a person outside their love relationship with the goal of being unfaithful, is committing a direct infidelity . His idea was to be unfaithful from the start and he has carried out his plan perfectly.
2. Indirect
An infidelity is indirect when the contrary case to the previous one occurs.
In this type of infidelity there is no initial intention to be unfaithful , but the desires or the act of being unfaithful arise suddenly. For example, it occurs when a person is wrong in their relationship but closeness to someone who tells their problems ends in infidelity. In these cases, the person who has a partner can come to regret.
3. Online or virtual
Online infidelity is very common nowadays, because with the inclusion of new technologies in our lives, many people use the Internet to be unfaithful. The advantages of online infidelity are numerous. The person can connect at any time (even with the couple at home) and digital social media they are a way to escape from the reality of the physical world under an apparent anonymity .
Those who commit a virtual infidelity do not always get to stay with their partner or companion infidelity in a physical way.
4. Physics
Physical infidelity is one that is not committed virtually. For example, people can meet in a cafeteria and, after entering into a relationship in secret, they end up consummating the act . Physical infidelity is the opposite of online infidelity.
5. Affective
Some people believe that infidelity does not necessarily include sex, but that the mere fact of feeling something for another person outside the couple is a betrayal .
Affective infidelity is that in which the person who has a partner "feels something" for the other person. It is also called romantic infidelity, and there may or may not be sex. It is more typical of women than of men.
6. Sexual
Sexual infidelity is a type of infidelity in which there is a sexual act, and the people involved do not experience a deep emotional attachment necessarily. This type of infidelity usually carried out mostly by men .
7. Obliged
Compulsive infidelity is considered as that done by people with low self-esteem and who do not feel loved in their relationship, so they seek in infidelity what they do not really have in their marriage. The fear of breaking a toxic relationship favors this type of infidelity. However, the existence of this type of infidelity is very debated, since can be used to hold the victim responsible .
8. For sexual addiction
They are infidelities of a sexual nature in which the only thing the person wishes is satisfy his obsessive erotic need . Sexual addiction is manifested by a pattern of uncontrolled sexual behavior, alternating with periods of relative calm.
- Maybe you're interested: "Hypersexuality: what happens in the brain of a sex addict?"
9. Approval
This type of infidelity is committed by people who are ending their relationship and they do not have the strength to leave it definitively . They need to have someone there to help them get through the bad time, and use the other person to not feel alone.
The users of this type of affective crisis can promise the gold and the moro to their companion or companion of infidelity, but in fact it is a way to avoid the possibility of a separation alone.
