Long Distance Relationship

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2011, Vol. 101, No. 6, 1302–1316

© 2011 American Psychological Association 0022-3514/11/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/a0025497

So Far Away From One’s Partner, Yet So Close to Romantic Alternatives: Avoidant Attachment, Interest in Alternatives, and Infidelity
C. Nathan DeWall
University of Kentucky

Nathaniel M. Lambert
The Florida State University

Erica B. Slotter
Northwestern University

Richard S. Pond, Jr. and Timothy Deckman
University of Kentucky

Eli J. Finkel and Laura B. Luchies
Northwestern University

Frank D. Fincham
The Florida State University

Temptation pervades modern social life, including the temptation to engage in infidelity. The present investigation examines one factor that may put individuals at a greater risk of being unfaithful to their partner: dispositional avoidant attachment style. The authors hypothesize that avoidantly attached people may be less resistant to temptations for infidelity due to lower levels of commitment in romantic relationships. This hypothesis was confirmed in 8 studies. People with high, vs. low, levels of dispositional avoidant attachment had more permissive attitudes toward infidelity (Study 1), showed attentional bias toward attractive alternative partners (Study 2), expressed greater daily interest in meeting alternatives to their current relationship partner (Study 5), perceived alternatives to their current relationship partner more positively (Study 6), and engaged in more infidelity over time (Studies 3, 4, 7, and 8). This effect was mediated by lower levels of commitment (Studies 5– 8). Thus, avoidant attachment predicted a broad spectrum of responses indicative of interest in alternatives and propensity to engage in infidelity, which were mediated by low levels of commitment. Keywords: attachment style, infidelity, commitment, avoidance

Charles is married. His marriage has lasted several years, but he does not like to get close to his wife.

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The journal will publish empirical research that advances knowledge and theory regarding all aspects of decision making processes. Specifically, the goal of the journal is to provide for an interdisciplinary discussion of contrasting perspectives on decision making. Submissions from all domains of decision making research are encouraged, including (but not limited to) research in the areas of individual decision making, group decision making, management decision making, consumer behavior, reasoning, risk tasking behavior, risk management, clinical and medical decision making, organizational decision making, choice behavior, decision support systems, strategic decision making, interpersonal influence, persuasive communication, and attitude change. Editorial candidates should be members of APA and should be available to start receiving manuscripts in January 2013 to prepare for issues published in 2014. Please note that the P&C Board encourages participation by members of underrepresented groups in the publication process and would particularly welcome such nominees. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Candidates should be nominated by accessing APA’s EditorQuest site on the Web. Using your Web browser, go to http://editorquest.apa.org. On the Home menu on the left, find “Guests.” Next, click on the link “Submit a Nomination,” enter your nominee’s information, and click “Submit.” Prepared statements of one page or less in support of a nominee can also be submitted by e-mail to Sarah Wiederkehr, P&C Board Search Liaison, at [e-mail]. Deadline for accepting nominations is January 10, 2012, when reviews will begin.