The 3 Types of Infidelity: Are You Unfaithful?

PsychologyFor Editorial Team Reviewed by PsychologyFor Editorial Team Editorial Review Reviewed by PsychologyFor Team Editorial Review

Do you have doubts if your partner is cheating on you with another person? Understand the different types of infidelity that exist.

The 3 types of infidelity: Are you unfaithful?

Believe it or not, infidelity is more common than it seems in relationships, and it is estimated thatn 25% of people who are in a relationship commit infidelity sometime. What is also true is that there may be many more, since how many would admit that they have done it and how many would try to deceive? That is something we cannot determine 100%.

What we can determine is that there are 3 types of infidelity with their subdivisions In this article we explain what they consist of and which ones are most common in each of the genres.

sexual infidelity

Perhaps it is one of the clearest ones. Well, in this case it is usually said that either it was done or it was not done. Although we also wonder where the limit is: kissing? Oral sex? What if it was a kiss, were there really feelings?

In the event that your partner has had sexual relations with a third party, there are some types that you should take into account:

Series runners

It is usually seen more in the male sex than in the female sex, they are collectors of love stories and look for the opportunity anywhere to have sex. They don’t care if it’s at work, at a party or anywhere. Although they promise you a lot and try to gain your trust, then they are absent and give you changing explanations such as “I worked late” or excuses like that. Perhaps the most practical way to know if you are with someone like this is to ask the people around you.

Occasional active viewer during one night

In this case it is not like runners who collect stories to tell, but at times of partying or where everyone has had too much to drink they find the opportunity to spend the night with someone. Only it wasn’t lurking, it was something specific.

Accidental Passive One Night Standby

Although he had no intention of seeking sex with someone and even put up a little passive resistance, he immediately gave in without putting much effort. They are people who are not looking to have an affair but they also do not care if it arises.

Avengers

Avengers are people who are angry, not because they have been unfaithful, but rather they seek revenge for an argument or any dispute they may have had with their partner. Their way of balancing the emotional balance in the relationship is through infidelity.

Long-term infidelity

It occurs in those people who feel lost, who do not want to divorce or separate due to issues such as children, money or even the relationship. That’s when they find another person, but without it interfering with their main relationship. Most of the time they don’t see this romance as a threat to their primary relationship until the other person finds out.

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emotional infidelity

Regarding emotional infidelity, we are faced with a form of infidelity that does not have to involve sexual relations. In this case, these are intense feelings towards a third person that threaten the main relationship.

This type of infidelity can arise through social networks, chats, by phone or face to face. The main problem with this type of infidelity is that when they are with the main partner it is as if they were not there because they are thinking about the other person.

Cognitive infidelity

Cognitive infidelity usually accompanies emotional infidelity, since the person who has intense feelings for a third party can become obsessed with them and only think about being with them.

Now that you know the different types, if they have been unfaithful to you it is good that you can ask you some questions like: Can you reach an agreement? Can you overcome it? Can you trust again? Or even before it happens: Will you be able to talk if the relationship is really at risk?

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  • This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice. In case of a mental health crisis or emergency, call your local emergency services or contact a licensed professional immediately.