The Dr. Psych Mom Show
with clinical psychologist
Dr. Samantha Rodman Whiten Cheating Is An Addictive Behavior, Not A Relationship Behavior!
Apr 4, 2026
They argue cheating is driven more by addiction, sensation seeking, and impulse control than by relationship problems. The conversation covers personality traits and cluster B risks, attachment patterns like avoidant versus preoccupied, and the idea of exit affairs. They compare repeated infidelity to other addictions and explain why individual therapy is often required for repair.
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Cheating Is Primarily An Addiction Problem
- Cheating is driven more by sensation seeking and lack of frustration tolerance than by relationship problems.
- Dr. Samantha Rodman Whiten links cheaters to dopamine-seeking, novelty, and attention rather than marital dissatisfaction.
Validation Not Orgasm Fuels Affairs
- The reward from cheating is attention and validation more than sexual release.
- Dr. Samantha Rodman Whiten emphasizes the thrill of being wanted fills an attention bucket beyond the orgasm itself.
Personality Disorders Increase Cheating Risk
- Narcissistic and cluster B personality traits are overrepresented among cheaters.
- These individuals downplay others' emotions, enabling repeated dishonesty and emotional immaturity in infidelity.