Although cheating is proven to have negative effects on both partners, it begs the issue of why people still do it. Why take the chance? What causes a person to cheat on their partner?

You can find a spouse on dating sites or catch them in the act, but before starting your own investigation, you should understand the reasons for cheating.

Nearly 500 people, predominantly heterosexuals, were surveyed about their experiences with infidelity in romantic relationships. All participants disclosed at least one incident of their personal infidelity as part of the study, which was a requirement for participation. Roughly 95% used sexual or physical infidelity as an example.

Although these researchers aren't the first to wonder what drives people to cheat, the lack of hard data on the topic highlights the need for more study. They identified eight primary reasons.

1. A loss of romantic interest.

Extradyadic affairs are sometimes (but not always) a result of problems inside a couple's primary partnership. Seventy-seven percent of respondents said that they cheated because they didn't love their steady relationship as much as they loved an extradyadic lover.

2. Simply to shake things up.

Sometimes cheating isn't a response to issues in a current relationship, but rather an attempt to alleviate boredom. Seventy-four percent of cheaters simply want to shake things up occasionally. Among both sexes, more men blamed this cause for their cheating than women did.

3. Struggling with a sense of being ignored.

When a partner isn't paying enough attention to them, it might make them feel unloved, and this can lead to adultery. Seventy percent of participants reported that being neglected had some influence on their tendency to cheat. This was cited by more women than men as a factor in their infidelity.

4. Ambient factors.

It's not always the case that someone's dissatisfaction with their existing relationship is the catalyst for an act of adultery. Seventy percent of those who admitted to cheating blamed the circumstances of the game. Perhaps they were under the influence of alcohol or found themselves in an unexpected situation. This was cited by more men than women as an explanation for their infidelity.

5. Improve one's sense of pride in oneself.

Even while cheating usually leads to negative outcomes in one's life, some people really feel better about themselves after engaging in the act of cheating. Five-sevenths of the sample said they cheated to feel better about themselves.

As a result of frustration. Though it wasn't the primary motivator, several people also mentioned feeling angry as a factor in their actions (43 percent). Cheating was considered as a means to punish or exact revenge on a partner in certain situations.

These 5 causes of infidelity range from internal to external factors, including the individual, the couple, and the environment. They demonstrate the wide range of causes for dishonesty. While it's possible for one major element to motivate someone to have an extramarital affair, it's more common that several variables work together.