Personality Predictors of Infidelity
Research consistently identifies low conscientiousness as the strongest Big Five predictor of infidelity, operating through weak impulse control, difficulty maintaining long-term commitment, and lower adherence to social norms. Low agreeableness contributes through reduced empathy for partner suffering and tendency to prioritize self-interest. High neuroticism relates to infidelity through unstable self-esteem seeking external validation, negative emotion coping through excitement-seeking, and indirect pathways via lower relationship satisfaction.
Extraversion shows mixed results, with the sensation-seeking facet specifically linked to infidelity risk through increased opportunity and novelty-seeking. Openness relates primarily through sexual openness facets. However, personality explains only a portion of infidelity variance, with relationship satisfaction and opportunity being stronger proximal predictors regardless of personality.
The practical application is preventive relationship strengthening rather than partner surveillance. Understanding risk factors enables intentional construction of relationship quality, clear boundary agreements, and environmental management of temptation situations. Relationship quality remains the most modifiable and powerful protective factor against infidelity.