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New research reveals that with a fear of infidelity, two common coping strategies can emerge to ... [+] protect the relationship. However, they’ll more than likely backfire.
For millennia, humans have evolved in specialized ways to ensure their self-preservation. While we may not face the same threats that our ancient ancestors did, we still experience the effects of these evolutionary advancements every day. Jealousy, believe it or not, is one of them.
Our romantic partners offer us invaluable gifts—ones that are just as cherished today as they were millions of years ago. In early civilization, the promise of care, protection and offspring was an assurance of survival: that we, and our bloodline, could live on.
Although this sentiment may not carry as much weight today, the fear of “mate poaching”—or, as we call it today, infidelity—is just as prominent as it used to be. And according to recent research from Evolutionary Psychology, the thought of it alone is enough to impact the dynamics of a relationship.
Here’s how, according to the study.
The Origins Of The Fear Of Infidelity
The nuclear family structure relies heavily on monogamy to function. Since children—who offer us the greatest chance to continue our genetic line—are unable to care for themselves, many cultures rely on biparental care to facilitate their upbringing. Over time, and through evolution, this has led to a widespread preference for long-term, monogamous relationships.
While monogamy may be favored for different reasons in today’s age, it still presents us with similar challenges as it did our prehistoric ancestors—namely, in this case, the threat of partner infidelity.
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