Formation of a Primary Relationship with an Infidelity Partner

Abstract

AbstractInfidelity can have devastating effects on romantic relationships, but it can also provide the foundation for new relationships. This chapter reviews research examining relationships formed from infidelity, drawing on the mate poaching literature. Mate poaching is a form of infidelity that occurs when a person successfully attracts someone who already is in an exclusive relationship into a new relationship. The chapter begins by providing a conceptual model to help understand some of the dynamics contributing to the initiation of new relationships from experiences of infidelity. It then discusses how common it is for primary relationships to develop from this form of infidelity and then it outlines the traits associated with individuals who form relationships from infidelity. It next reviews the research examining the quality of relationships formed from infidelity and discuss some of the processes that may explain these findings. It concludes by identifying limitations of the current literature and potential avenues for future research in this research domain.