PH
Cheating doesn't necessarily need to actually happen before jealousy affects behavior.
A 2024 experiment included 222 men and women in committed relationships.
Some participants imagined their partner committing infidelity, while others received a control scenario.
Imagined infidelity increased jealousy.
Greater jealousy then predicted stronger intentions to engage in behaviors designed to retain the partner.
Those intentions included both positive partner-directed behaviors and more costly or negative strategies.
Simply believing your relationship is threatened can therefore change behavioral intentions before any betrayal is confirmed.
© Evolutionary Psychology (2024)