Narcissism and cheating in relationships are often linked, as narcissists pursue sexual conquests for ego validation and may use infidelity to punish their partners. They typically cheat repeatedly, believing they have every right to do so, and are often incapable of true emotional closeness.
Many experts believe that narcissism and cheating in a relationship are inextricably linked. Symptoms of narcissism are often such that these individuals repeatedly cheat on their spouses or significant others, usually without realizing that they have done something wrong. The typical narcissist believes they are beyond retaliation and have the right to do as they please at all times. Many narcissists may hate women so much that they use sexual degradation and infidelity as a means to punish them for perceived wrongs. The narcissist may also feel obligated to maintain a “normal” aspect of married life, while still seeing his spouse as an obstacle and resent the fidelity she demands of him.
Many narcissists pursue sexual conquests as a means of ego validation. They can gain a sense of power from the sexual act, and acquiring new partners can give them feelings of dignity and worth that they usually inherently lack. Narcissism and deception in relationships may be linked largely because many narcissists enjoy having sex more if it is difficult to achieve because the goal is perceived as difficult. Encounters like these tend to bolster a person’s fragile ego even more than encounters that happen easily.
Unlike partners who cheat due to unmet needs in the relationship, narcissists typically cheat repeatedly, regardless of the perceived quality of the relationship central to their lives. Many may claim to hold their spouse or partner in high esteem, while insisting that their extramarital affairs mean nothing. In fact, these people tend to have no more regard for their partners or spouses than for the women they are unfaithful with.
Most experts agree that when a narcissist enters a relationship, they will typically cheat again and again, believing they have every right to do so and that there is nothing wrong with their behavior. This belief is often so ingrained that, when the spouse or partner finally gets fed up and walks out, the narcissist will typically attempt to do everything in her power to preserve the marriage. People with narcissism tend to use marriage for the social status and appearance of normalcy it can bring them, rather than for intimacy or family, as they are typically incapable of true emotional closeness.
Most psychologists agree that narcissism and deception in relationships often occur together because the average narcissist is unable to sympathize with, or in some cases, even see, the emotions of others. People with narcissism usually don’t understand or care about the emotional turmoil their cheating causes in their spouse. Nor are they usually interested in the broader familial and social ramifications of these acts in a relationship, such as the effects such behavior can have on any child in the family.
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