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The Infidelity Scale
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About The Infidelity Scale
Scale Name
The Infidelity Scale
Author Details
Stephen M. Drigotas, C. Annette Safstrom, and Tiffany Gentilia
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Infidelity Scale is a self-report instrument developed by Drigotas, Safstrom, and Gentilia in 1999 to assess the degree of physical and emotional intimacy individuals engage in outside their primary romantic relationships. Grounded in the Investment Model of commitment processes, the scale evaluates extradyadic behaviors that may compromise relationship exclusivity. The original scale comprises 11 items designed to measure various aspects of infidelity, including:
- Flirting: Engaging in playful or amorous behavior with someone other than the primary partner.
- Emotional Involvement: Developing a close emotional connection or sharing personal information with someone outside the primary relationship.
- Physical Intimacy: Participating in physical acts of affection or sexual activities with another person.
Respondents are prompted to recall a person to whom they were strongly attracted while involved in their current relationship and to rate the extent of their involvement using a Likert-type scale. Higher scores indicate greater levels of infidelity. The Infidelity Scale has been widely used in psychological research to explore the predictors and consequences of infidelity, as well as its impact on relationship dynamics.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a Copy: Access the Infidelity Scale through the original publication by Drigotas et al. (1999) or reputable psychological assessment resources.
- Explain the Purpose: Inform participants that the scale aims to assess behaviors and feelings they may have experienced with someone other than their primary partner, focusing on various forms of extradyadic involvement.
- Provide Instructions: Instruct participants to reflect on a specific individual to whom they were attracted during their current relationship and respond to each item based on their experiences with that person, using the provided scale.
- Approximate Time: The Infidelity Scale typically takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.
- Administer the Scale: Ensure participants complete the questionnaire in a private and comfortable environment to encourage honest and thoughtful responses.
Reliability and Validity
The Infidelity Scale has demonstrated strong psychometric properties. In the original study, the scale exhibited high internal consistency, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.93, indicating reliable measurement across its items. Validity analyses revealed significant correlations between scale scores and key constructs of the Investment Model, such as satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and commitment, supporting its construct validity. These findings suggest that the scale effectively captures the multifaceted nature of infidelity in romantic relationships.
Available Versions
11-Items
Reference
Drigotas, S. M., Safstrom, C. A., & Gentilia, T. (1999). An investment model prediction of dating infidelity. Journal of personality and social psychology, 77(3), 509.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Infidelity Scale?
The Infidelity Scale is designed to assess the extent of physical and emotional involvement individuals may have with someone outside their primary romantic relationship.
Who developed the Infidelity Scale?
The scale was developed by Stephen M. Drigotas, C. Annette Safstrom, and Tiffany Gentilia, as published in their 1999 study.
How is the Infidelity Scale structured?
The scale consists of 11 items that measure various aspects of extradyadic involvement, including flirting, emotional intimacy, and physical intimacy.
How is the Infidelity Scale administered?
Participants are asked to recall a person to whom they were attracted during their current relationship and rate the extent of their involvement with that person using a Likert-type scale.
Is the Infidelity Scale a reliable and valid measure?
Yes, the scale has demonstrated high reliability and validity in assessing extradyadic behaviors in romantic relationships.
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