Forgiving Romantic Partners: The Role of the Big 5 Personality Factors in Forgiveness After Infidelity
Location
SU-214
Department
Psychology
Abstract
A majority of infidelity literature uses the “Big 5” personality inventory (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience) to determine the specific factors that lead to infidelity (Apostolou, 2019; Apostolou & Pediaditakis, 2022; Crasta et al., 2021; Lee & O'Sullivan, 2018; McCarthy et al., 2017; Orzeck & Lung, 2005; Rempel et al., 2001; Scheinkman, 2005). This study used the Big 5 personality inventory to determine which factors correlated with forgiveness and rebuilding trust after infidelity. An online Qualtrics survey was given to students who were 18 years or older at an urban midwestern university and assessed their attitudes and beliefs about which factors lead to forgiveness, trust, and ultimately the possible repair of the relationship after infidelity. Survey questions focused specifically on factors articulated in the Big 5 personality inventory as well as forgiveness measurements of participants in order to compare personality with forgiveness. This study suggests that the more extraverted a person is, the more forgiving they’d be after infidelity. In addition, the less conscientious a person is, the more forgiving they’d be after infidelity. This research will take a different approach in helping to inform and/or alter psychological, therapeutic, and mental health practices for supporting and advising romantic couples in need of relationship guidance after infidelity occurs. Keywords: Big 5 personality, forgiveness, intimacy, monogamy, infidelity, trust
Faculty Sponsor
Maureen Erber
Forgiving Romantic Partners: The Role of the Big 5 Personality Factors in Forgiveness After Infidelity
SU-214
A majority of infidelity literature uses the “Big 5” personality inventory (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience) to determine the specific factors that lead to infidelity (Apostolou, 2019; Apostolou & Pediaditakis, 2022; Crasta et al., 2021; Lee & O'Sullivan, 2018; McCarthy et al., 2017; Orzeck & Lung, 2005; Rempel et al., 2001; Scheinkman, 2005). This study used the Big 5 personality inventory to determine which factors correlated with forgiveness and rebuilding trust after infidelity. An online Qualtrics survey was given to students who were 18 years or older at an urban midwestern university and assessed their attitudes and beliefs about which factors lead to forgiveness, trust, and ultimately the possible repair of the relationship after infidelity. Survey questions focused specifically on factors articulated in the Big 5 personality inventory as well as forgiveness measurements of participants in order to compare personality with forgiveness. This study suggests that the more extraverted a person is, the more forgiving they’d be after infidelity. In addition, the less conscientious a person is, the more forgiving they’d be after infidelity. This research will take a different approach in helping to inform and/or alter psychological, therapeutic, and mental health practices for supporting and advising romantic couples in need of relationship guidance after infidelity occurs. Keywords: Big 5 personality, forgiveness, intimacy, monogamy, infidelity, trust