Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater?

When people get caught cheating, they often promise never to cheat again. Making such a promise, however, doesn’t predict what will happen next. The desire to cheat is complicated and not easily solved (see decision to cheat).

If you want to change any behavior, you must first determine why that behavior occurred. When it comes to infidelity, what factors can cause your spouse to cheat (see likely to cheat)?

Cheating is caused by a host of factors. It’s important to identify the underlying cause. Was it due to problems in your relationship? The need for excitement and novelty? A moment of weakness?

After you identify why the cheating occurred, couples need to make changes so that it doesn’t happen again. If your partner cheats because of problems in your relationship, then it helps to work on strengthening your relationship (see healthy relationships)

On the other hand, some of the factors that influence cheating may have a genetic component – a spouse’s level of attractiveness, risk-taking nature, or sexual desire. These can be more difficult to change (see prevent infidelity and sexual addictions).

These genetic factors may help explain why some people have a more difficult time being faithful (see cheating spouse survey).

If you don’t (or can’t) change the underlying reasons why a spouse cheated in the first place, it will most likely happen again. Typically, the best indicator of a partner’s future behavior is his or her past behavior (see husband constantly cheats).

Once a cheater, always a cheater? It really depends on why the cheating occurred. Some types of cheating are much easier to resolve than others.

Change is possible, but difficult. It requires a lot of insight and effort. Without some type of counseling and a strong commitment to change, people often make the same mistake again (see recovering from infidelity).

Related Information:

Infidelity and cheating – articles, links and resources

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