The Errant Spouse: A Study in Person Perception

Abstract

College students rated protagonists of vignettes involved in extra-marital affairs in two separate studies. In the first study, where the affair resulted in the errant spouse falling in love, both the husband and wife were perceived more favorably when they cheated than when they were being cheated. The results of the second study, where the affair did not involve love, were opposite from those of the first. The cheating spouse was viewed negatively. No significant differences were found between married and unmarried subjects' perceptions. Results indicated that the motivation for an extramarital affair may be crucial in evaluation. Implications of perceived competence of the spouse were considered.