Infidelity Accounts
W. Craig Carter

Abstract
This study examines the various types of accounts that individuals use when confronted with their own infidelities. I argue that an individual’s concerns about protecting her/his own identity compels that person to emphasize accounts for infidelities over other explanations. Given that women’s experiences with infidelity seem to differ from the experiences of men, I also explore the extent that women emphasize different types of infidelity accounts than do men. One hundred thirty-one respondents answered an online survey about their own acts of infidelity. The data support my expectations that individuals tend to offer accounts over other explanations for infidelity. Further, the data reveal several non-intuitive differences and surprising similarities between men and women’s accounts. I conclude this paper with a discussion of both theoretical and therapeutic implications.

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