Full Breakdown
The Overlapping Thought Processes of Cheaters and Criminals
12/17/2025, 7:42:33 PM
Study Overview and Methodology
A recent study led by Timothy Dickinson from the University of Alabama investigates whether the thought processes of individuals who commit infidelity resemble those of criminals. Co-author Tova Cohen, a doctoral student at Rutgers University-Newark, noted that the research aimed to explore the motivations behind extramarital affairs and how these insights could enhance criminological theories. The study analyzed qualitative data from 81 self-identified cheaters on online forums, specifically targeting posts from the “Coping with Infidelity” and “Wayward Side” threads. The researchers applied three criminological theories—strain theory, restrictive deterrence, and neutralization theory—to understand the participants' justifications for their actions.
Implications and Future Research Directions
Cohen emphasized that the motivations and thought processes of cheaters are not fundamentally different from those of criminals, highlighting the shared themes of strain, risk management, and moral justification. However, the study's reliance on qualitative data from online forums limits the generalizability of its findings, particularly given the skewed male sample.
The authors propose that future research could apply these criminological theories to other forms of legal but harmful behavior, such as workplace misconduct and financial deception. They suggest that understanding how non-criminals conceal their actions could provide valuable insights into criminal behavior.
Criticism and Limitations
While the study offers intriguing parallels between infidelity and criminality, it faces limitations. The anonymity of online forums may encourage honesty but also raises questions about the authenticity of the participants' accounts. Additionally, the heavy male representation in the sample may obscure potential gender differences in motivations for infidelity.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We started with a simple question: do people who commit infidelity think and act like criminals?” — Tova Cohen, Doctoral Student, Rutgers University-Newark
- “The same processes—strain, risk management, and moral justification—can shape behavior across both domains.” — Tova Cohen, Doctoral Student, Rutgers University-Newark
- “Cheaters frequently described their lies and concealment as a way to not only protect themselves, but also to ‘protect’ their partners from harm,” — Tova Cohen, Doctoral Student, Rutgers University-Newark
This study sheds light on the complex motivations behind infidelity, suggesting that the line between lawful behavior and criminality may be thinner than previously thought.
