The Gray Area: Exploring Attitudes Toward Infidelity and the Development of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale

ABSTRACT

Prior research has distinguished between emotional versus sexual infidelity. Two studies examined the development of the Perceptions of Dating Infidelity Scale (PDIS) to assess attitudes toward specific behaviors that constitute these types of infidelity in romantic relationships. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated three factors to the scale: Ambiguous, Deceptive, and Explicit behaviors. In both studies, there were gender differences on ratings of the behaviors. The construct validity of the scale was assessed with measures of sociosexual orientation, guilt, and coping with unwanted sexual situations. It was found that the Ambiguous behaviors were positively correlated with avoidance of unwanted sexual situations, while the Deceptive and Explicit scales were positively correlated with guilt and avoidance and negatively associated with an unrestricted sociosexual orientation and acting on attractions toward friends.

Keywords:

• infidelity
• romanic relationships
• attitudes
• scale development

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amanda W. Bequette

Karen Wilson, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor at the College of Staten Island and Saint Francis College. Her research interests include close relationships and health psychology. Brent A. Mattingly, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ashland University. His research focuses primarily on relationships, motivation, and the self. Eddie M. Clark, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology at Saint Louis University. His research examines close relationships and health attitudes/persuasion. Daniel J. Weidler is currently a graduate student pursuing a PhD in Experimental (Social) Psychology at Saint Louis University. His research interests include the self in close relationships and relationship infidelity. Amanda W. Bequette, PhD, is a Research Assistant Professor at the Missouri Institute of Mental Health, a research institute affiliated with the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Dr. Bequette also teaches part-time at Fontbonne University.