Psychology Reveals The 5 Typical Phrases of Unfaithful People

Infidelity is one of the most painful betrayals a person can suffer within a relationship. This act not only undermines trust, but also leaves deep emotional wounds that, in many cases, take years to heal .

Although the impact may vary from one situation to another, experts agree that those who commit infidelity often resort to verbal strategies to justify, minimize or even divert attention from their actions . These carefully selected phrases are not just random expressions, but psychological tools designed to manipulate the emotions of the affected partner and mitigate the consequences of their actions .

In this context, identifying these expressions and understanding their implications can be a valuable tool for those facing these types of situations, as it allows them to decipher the true intentions behind the words . Below, we present the five most common phrases used by unfaithful people and what psychology experts have revealed about their meaning.

“I would never hurt you”

A priori, this statement is intended to reassure and generate trust , but psychologists point out that in many cases it hides a manipulative intention . This phrase creates a false sense of security, leading the affected partner to question his or her own suspicions.

At the same time, it may reflect an internal denial on the part of the unfaithful, who strives to avoid confronting his own guilt.

“I swear, I didn’t know it would affect you this much.”

Shifting the emotional burden onto the victim is another common tactic. This statement denotes a lack of empathy and a disconnect with the other person’s emotions. According to psychologists, such statements show an inability to understand the extent of the harm caused.

“I did it because I love you”

Although it may seem contradictory, this phrase is used to reframe betrayal as an act of love , a maneuver that attempts to dignify harmful behavior. For the betrayer, it can be a way of self-deception and justifying their actions from an emotionally convenient perspective. However, experts agree that this rationalization reflects an inability to assume responsibility .

“It wasn’t that important”

Another of the most common strategies is to minimize the impact of the deception . This phrase not only seeks to downplay the seriousness of the betrayal, but it could also reveal a lack of appreciation for the relationship or the partner’s emotions . From a psychological perspective, it reflects how the unfaithful person prioritizes his or her own emotional comfort over the suffering of others.

“I’ve always been here for you”

With this phrase, the unfaithful person tries to divert attention to the positive aspects of the relationship , highlighting moments of support or closeness. Experts warn that this tactic not only seeks to redeem the image of the betrayer , but could also be a mechanism to maintain control over the perception of their partner.

Psychologists stress that these phrases, although common, should not be interpreted in isolation . Analyzing them from a critical perspective allows us to better understand the intentions and behavioral patterns behind them . In the end, what is at stake is not just the words spoken, but the impact they have on trust and the emotional health of relationships.

But according to sexpert and romance guru, Tracey Cox, it’s not as cut-and-dry as men cheating due their supposedly uncontrollable sexual desires and ladies doing it for emotional fulfilment.

She reckons that society still looks at each genders reasoning for being unfaithful through an ‘overly simplistic lens’ – but according to Cox, there are plenty of other explanations for why a woman might want to find out if the grass really is greener elsewhere.

The dating specialist explained that recent research had highlighted six main motivators for ladies two-timing their other half, before using her knowledge to break down why these factors can encourage people to hop between the sheets with someone they shouldn’t.

“Some might just surprise you,” Cox warned.

So, without further ado, let’s find out what the sex expert believes leads a lady into cheating.

Feeling neglected emotionally

The person you’re sharing your bed and your heart with is meant to be your confidant, support system and lover – but if they start slacking on their side of the bargain, it’s easy to seek these things out elsewhere.

So if a woman’s fella isn’t fulfilling her emotional needs, don’t be surprised if she starts playing away, as Cox says sustaining this connection is ‘crucial’ for a happy relationship.

She told the Daily Mail: “The most frequently given reason for infidelity by women is feeling unhappy in the relationship: almost 65 per cent of women in the study (conducted in the UK and Australia) cited this as their reason for straying.

“Only 31 per cent of men listed dissatisfaction as their primary motivation to seek sex outside the relationship.

“The second most common motivation for women to cheat is feeling emotionally abandoned. Women are four times more likely to cheat for this reason: only five per cent of men cheat if they don’t think their partner is ‘into them’.”

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially if they have found out their other half has been up to no good behind their back.

A lot of ladies take an eye for an eye approach to dealing with their partners betrayal – biding their time while secretly plotting their revenge and pretending everything is bliss.

According to the relationship expert, a ‘surprising number’ of women cheat purely as an act of retaliation.

“It’s not just about evening the score: it’s about reclaiming a sense of agency and dignity in a relationship where we feel wronged,” Cox said.

“It might not be the most sensible course of action but the urge to hurt our partner the same way we’ve been hurt, is hard to resist.”

On the other hand, blokes apparently aren’t really that interested in retaliating in this way, with only three percent admitting they cheated because their partner did.

A power imbalance in a relationship is likely only going to end one way, whether it is to do with your finances, status or even age.

No one likes feeling as though their other half is in a completely different league to them or as though their opinions aren’t as valid – and Cox warned that this can send a woman running right into the arms of someone else.

“In relationships marked by emotional or psychological imbalances, having an affair is a way of reclaiming a sense of control,” she explained.

“It’s particularly common when a partner is overly dominant or controlling. If you’re too scared to confront directly, doing something sneaky behind their back to make yourself feel better is the next best thing.”

It’s a two fingers up to their partner who constantly reminds them that they are inferior, essentially.

Some blokes have given the male population a bad name by being quite selfish in the bedroom – and these lot are also apparently driving their partners to cheat on them, too.

Rather than seeking emotional fulfilment or falling head over heels with their secret lover, sometimes, women just want a good sh*g.

It’s as simple as that, apparently, and it’s one of the only things which men and women seemingly agree on when it comes to infidelity.

Cox continued: “If you’re not getting good and regular sex at home, you’re more likely to get it elsewhere. Almost nine per cent of women said this was the reason they strayed, with 10 per cent of men agreeing.

“Sex might be fourth on the list of motivators for women in the study but we’re still susceptible to being seduced if sex with our partner is boring and dull.”

Fix up, fellas.

Stress relief

Yes, women could practice mindfulness, exercise, or perhaps try out some meditation to de-stress after growing frustrated with all of the lemons which life seems to be handing them, but a lot of women simply prefer a rendezvous with their lover instead, according to Cox.

“The constant stress of juggling career, motherhood, work and other responsibilities leave many women feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed,” she explained. “Some head to the spa for some ‘me time’, others head out to meet a lover to escape from the pressure.”

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Cox pointed out that a lot of women inform therapists that they see their affair as ‘something which is just for them’ where they can enjoy a bit of pleasure, rather than being run ragged while juggling the roles of a wife, parent and everything else in between.

Boredom

If you’re relationship has lost it’s spark and excitement is a thing of the past, women might eye up what’s going on elsewhere to inject a bit of adventure into their life.

Sneaking around, meeting up in obscure locations and trying new things in the bedroom is obviously a lot more exciting than doing the same old dance with your long-term partner before rolling over and heading straight to sleep.

Cox explained: “It’s the reason least likely to win any type of sympathy but also the one that most of us will relate to.

“Monogamy might offer security and companionship but humans desensitise rapidly and even in good relationships there are periods where life seems, well, monotonous.

“Nearly eight per cent of women said they’d cheated simply because they were bored; another five per cent said they did it because they wanted novelty.

“Men also cheat when they’re bored (almost six per cent) but are twice as likely to cheat for novelty (nearly 11 per cent).”