How do ideological norms shape emotional responses to jealousy, fidelity, and relational exclusivity, influencing what societies consider morally permissible?
Sexual and romantic relationships are central to human life, but they can also be complex and fraught with challenges. One of these is the issue of infidelity, which refers to the breach of trust that occurs when one partner in a relationship engages in sexual or romantic activity with someone else outside the relationship without consent from their partner. While some individuals may view this behavior as acceptable under certain circumstances, such as if both partners agree to an open relationship, others view it as morally wrong and punishable by social sanctions.
Research has shown that people's perceptions of cheating and its consequences vary widely across different cultures and societies. This begs the question: How do ideological norms shape emotional responses to jealousy, fidelity, and relational exclusivity, influencing what societies consider morally permissible?
One way to answer this question is by examining the influence of religious beliefs on attitudes towards infidelity. In many traditional religious communities, fidelity is seen as a sacred obligation between two people who have made a commitment to each other before God. The Bible teaches that "marriage should be honored among all and the marriage bed kept pure," meaning that couples should only have sex within their marital union (Hebrews 13:4). Similarly, Islam views adultery as a grave sin that can lead to eternal damnation. As a result, Muslim societies tend to have stronger moral condemnations of infidelity than secular ones.
Another factor shaping attitudes towards infidelity is cultural values around gender roles.
In patriarchal societies where men are expected to be providers and protectors for their families, women may feel pressure to maintain relationships to secure resources or ensure social acceptance. These societies also tend to emphasize sexual propriety more strongly than egalitarian ones. In such societies, women may see themselves as property rather than individuals with autonomy over their own bodies, leading them to tolerate or even encourage male promiscuity while condemning female infidelity.
Research suggests that personal experiences can also influence how people respond emotionally to infidelity.
Studies show that people who experience infidelity first-hand often struggle with feelings of betrayal, anger, hurt, and guilt. They may also exhibit higher levels of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. On the other hand, those who witness infidelity in others may develop negative attitudes toward the offender but not necessarily experience these same emotions directly. This suggests that our emotional reactions to infidelity depend on both external factors like ideology and internal factors like personality traits and past experiences.
It appears that ideological norms shape emotional responses to jealousy, fidelity, and relational exclusivity by creating an environment where certain behaviors become morally permissible or taboo based on preexisting belief systems. While some cultures view infidelity as a grave sin, others may consider it acceptable under certain circumstances, such as if both partners agree to an open relationship or it takes place within a marriage.
The individual's past experiences, gender roles, and cultural values all play a role in determining their emotional response to infidelity.
How do ideological norms shape emotional responses to jealousy, fidelity, and relational exclusivity, influencing what societies consider morally permissible?
Research on social norms, culture, and emotion suggests that social structures and cultural beliefs can influence how individuals experience feelings of jealousy, fidelity, and commitment to their romantic relationships (Cramer et al. , 2019; Smeaton & Besser, 2015).