Yahoo Lifestyle The cheating gene
Though not completely to blame for your infidelities, your genetic make-up is somewhat at fault.
The propensity to cheat is partially hard-wired in our DNA, reports a study in the journal PLoS ONE. It found people with a variant of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) are roughly twice as likely to play up behind their partner’s back.
The reason? They are predisposed to react more strongly to the dopamine released when risk-taking, and therefore seek a repeat of the thrill more regularly or intensely.
Five reasons men cheat (and how to stay faithful)
The dopamine rush isn’t just reserved for infidelity, either. Lead study author Justin Garcia said that individuals with the DRD4 variant have a greater tendency towards all types of risky behaviour, such as gambling and substance abuse.
Moral of the story: don’t marry a card-dealing skydiver with a penchant for needles (‘cause we know you have a soft spot for them).
I know my housemate is cheating on his girlfriend. We're all good mates. What should I do?
