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Infidelity is more common than the better angels of our nature would like us to think. While infidelity statistics vary across cultures and time periods, one study reports a 70 percent infidelity rate among currently American couples. According to another study, 33 percent of French women admit to at least one act of infidelity in their lifetime.

So we know it happens, but what motivates people to cheat on their romantic partners? And what causes others to remain faithful? This was the focus of a new study published in the journal and Individual Differences.

Researchers from the University of Nicosia in Greece used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to understand why people choose to remain faithful. They first interviewed 166 participants. Of these, 44 percent were married, 26 percent were in a relationship, 15 percent were single, and 15 percent were . Researchers asked participants to identify and discuss the reasons that have prevented or would prevent them from their partners.

Through these interviews, the researchers identified 47 unique reasons why people choose not to cheat, including: "My partner treats me well." "I worry about what people would think if this gets out." "I would not feel OK with myself. "I never had the chance." The researchers then distilled these reasons into eight key themes:

I am satisfied with my relationship. Social stigma. Feeling ashamed if it gets out. Feeling guilty. Have not been provoked. of my partner's reaction. I do not want to get in trouble. Fearing that it will happen to me.

The researchers then conducted a follow-up study in which they asked a separate sample of 576 participants to rate how much they agreed that each of the 47 identified reasons would prevent them from cheating on their partner. They were also asked to fill out a personality test—specifically, the 10-item Inventory—as well as answer some demographic questions.

The researchers wanted to identify the themes that were most important in guiding people's decisions not to cheat. Interestingly, they found these top three themes cited as reasons why people choose not to cheat.

I am satisfied with my relationship

Feeling guilty

Fearing that it will happen to me

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The researchers also sought to determine which dimensions of personality were most associated with cheating and non-cheating behavior. Across the entire sample, men showed a higher propensity to cheat than women. Interestingly, they found that people scoring high in (a personality dimension in the Big Five Inventory) were more likely to report infidelity. And who were less likely to cheat? People who scored high in , another Big Five trait.

A potential takeaway: If you're looking for a faithful partner, it probably can't hurt to find someone who is unfailingly conscientious.