Some people admire the a partner who is happy to take control and 'wear the pants' in the relationship. These individuals are quick to make decisions and lead the household, but a new study has found that they are also more likely to cheat. That is because the perceived power leads to inflated confidence, feelings of desirability and belief that they can have alternative partners, the study revealed.
![[Their sense of control and security in their relationships inflates their confidence, makes them feel desirable and leads them to believe that they have more relationship options]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/11/26/16/92504171-14128441-image-a-26_1732638321887.jpg)
Researchers conducted four experiments, finding the sense of control was a predictor of cheating behaviors such as sexual fantasies, flirting and seeking a new mate. 'In a romantic relationship, these power dynamics might lead the more powerful partner to think they bring more to the table than their less powerful partner,' said lead author Gurit Birnbaum, a professor of psychology at Reichman University.
'The more powerful might see this as a sign that they have more options outside the relationship and are more desirable partners in general.'. This aligns with prior research which established that feeling and being perceived as powerful encourages impulsive behavior.
New research has revealed that the person who wears the pants in your relationship is more likely to cheat. Birnbaum and his colleagues conducted a series of four studies to investigate the relationship between power dynamics and cheating. Participants in all experiments were in monogamous, heterosexual relationships that had lasted at least four months.
