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Again and Again: An Evolutionary Perspective on Aggression and Repair Intentions after Serial Sexual Infidelity
Sexual infidelity poses a significant risk to relational stability, often eliciting intense emotional and behavioural reactions in men. The present study examines the trajectories of male aggression and relationship-repair motivation in the context of recurrent sexual infidelity. Informed by evolutionary psychological theories, the study posits that male reactions signify evolving welfare trade-offs, whereby aggression and intentions for reconciliation are initially heightened after a first betrayal but gradually diminish as the frequency of transgressions escalates. A longitudinal online survey will target 600 men currently in established heterosexual relationships, employing standardized hypothetical scenarios and validated psychological assessments to capture changes across repeated infidelity events. It is expected that emotional exhaustion, lowered self-efficacy, and adjusted cost-benefit assessments will lead to decreased aggression and a waning willingness to reconcile over time. Moreover, Machiavellianism is examined as a possible moderator, with the hypothesis that individuals displaying elevated levels of this trait may engage in both aggressive and reparative behaviours as means of interpersonal control rather than relational restoration. By delineating these psychological dynamics, the study aims to augment theoretical comprehension of male reactions to betrayal and to guide clinical strategies designed to assist couples facing recurrent breaches of trust.
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