The Science Of Temptation...And How To Resist It

LiveScience is reporting that women are less likely to succumb to temptation than men. Apparently women, after happening upon an attractive alternative, tend "to be even more committed to bolstering their present relationship," whereas men "are more likely to view their girlfriend in a negative light."

Apparently this stems from the fact that women take a slightly more defensive stance - they view these attractive outsiders as possible threats to their relationships.

In a study performed by John Lydon of McGill University, results found that after meeting attractive and available others, "women were 18 percent more likely to forgive their "romantic partner" who hypothetically had either revealed an embarrassing trait or lied about why he recently cancelled a date." Men, on the other hand, were 12 percent less likely to forgive a girlfriend's comparable mistake.

So, how should men hone their temptation resistance? By picturing attractive, available women as probable threats. Lydon explains, "We think that if men believed an attractive, available woman was a threat to their relationship, they might try to protect that relationship."

What do you think? Do you have any tried and true resistance tactics? Tell us your thoughts below!

Comments

[piperson]

I have not had a tryst or affair for 33 years of marriage. My secret? I'm uglier than a mule's butt.

[Cathexis]

Post 2 of 2

Got that picture in your mind? Do you have an anguished appreciation for the results of that action? Oh, if only you had it to do over again ... !

POOF! You're back in the present. It hasn't happened yet! Oh, thank you, God! Suddenly, the comely siren in front of you doesn't seem so overpoweringly enticing. With your SO's trust entact, you can now extricate yourself.

(And for those who think it all comes down to "Not getting caught" -- do you REALLY believe you have such control over the situation? Are you willing to risk it? The longer an affair goes on, the more likely more will know. Just grabbinga quickie? Better make sure the other woman knows; a rejected woman feeling used is likely to want revenge ... and what better revenge than cluing in a wife?) Besides, are you willing to live with the knowledge that you betrayed her, only she doesn't know? Remember: Some actions, once done, can never be undone.

Better to never do them.

[Cathexis]

Post 1 of 2

Although it can be difficult in "the heat of the moment," acknowledging the Real "Total" Cost of a tryst/affair can be an effective deterrent. Too often we allow ourselves to be consumed by the positive pleasures to be had. The negatives only surface AFTER the initial rush of phsyical pleasure is gone. Too often, you'll be crying "If only I had it to do over again!"

You can, if you think of the repercussions NOW.

Project yourself into the future. Is an hour or so with the hottie in front of you REALLY worth the effect it will have on your relationship?

You've invested a lifetime building up trust and intimacy ... do you really want to risk ALL of that, for a quick tryst or affair? Picture your Significant Other and their reaction if they knew. You would have, in one swoop, destroyed their world. They would have not only been betrayed, but betrayed by the person they loved and trusted more than anyone else in the world. Their anguish becomes your anguish ... and it is magnified by the fact that YOU are the cause of their pain.

Trust is like an exquisite crystal vase ... once broken, it is never the same ... even if you DO manage to somehow glue the pieces back, you will (rightly) spend the rest of your life trying to make up for that one moment of indiscretion. And there is a good chance the pieces will remain

[SirReal1]

The "reality" has been confirmed in several studies that the "bolstering" of "their present relationship" is a defensive response to the likely dalliance they partook in that may very well be producing a "by product" in the not too distant future (say, about 9 months), and the "reinvestment" in their current mate is a way of ensuring that HE WILL STICK AROUND to provide for her and "his child" for the next 18 years. Meanwhile, "Mr. GOOD-GENES" is likely moving on, to spread some more of his sunshine with whoever happens across his path next.

Inversely, if "Average Joe" married "Plain Jane" and suddenly happens upon "Brittney" in the midst of a meltdown; vulnerable, needy, built like a brick-sh!thouse, he's likely as all get out to pounce. Why? Because he has more than a billion of those little squiggly things left after he's shared a few thousand with her, and once she comes out of her dumpster dive she'll be outta Dodge faster than you can say "Yeah, its got a HEMI"!

Back on the home-front, and the real point of the article, Joe comes home, finds that Jane copped a score with a stud, and thinks "How will I ever know if I'm paying for my genes future, or someone elses?" and gives Jane the boot!

(cont)

[SirReal1]

OR

Jane finds out that Joe gave up about .001 % of his reproductive resources to a girl who wouldn't be interested in him 364 days of the year, and who took the first thing smokin' , back from whence she came. That's GOT TO BE WORTH A new dress and a pair of shoes!

[SirReal1]

I'm sorry, but I have to say; Greg, this is a terribly written piece.

Maybe it's the headline that HuffPo provided, but even ignoring that the article above goes from one non-sequitur to another.

"Live Science is reporting that women are less likely to succumb to temptation than men."

Followed by:

"In a study performed by John Lydon of McGill University, results found that after meeting attractive and available others, "women were 18 percent more likely to forgive their "romantic partner" who hypothetically had either revealed an embarrassing trait or lied about why he recently cancelled a date." Men, on the other hand, were 12 percent less likely to forgive a girlfriend's comparable mistake."

These are two entirely different things!

Following the first statement, is the supporting evidence that "women, after happening upon an attractive alternative, tend "to be even more committed to bolstering their present relationship," whereas men "are more likely to view their girlfriend in a negative light."

Utter hogwash as a "statement of fact"!

[OtayPanky]

What do you think? Do you have any tried and true resistance tactics? Tell us your thoughts below!

===

Here's an oldie but goodie: Just imagine that the object of your desire is actually demon spawn from hell - sent here specifically to bring you into eternal slavery to the Overlord of Darkness.

Or you could imagine that your intended paramour is actually not of this world - and that behind those little pink bits lie rows of sharp, yellow, rotting teeth dripping with the venom of dementia

Have a great day!