Payne, I find it interesting that you bring up that some species are "faithful", yet I consider faithfulness to be a human construct. If another species is faithful, I don't believe it's out of a sense of loyalty or anything to that effect. As for people having more intelligence than lower animals...well, that's certainly debatable.

I have a rather large family, so there are many examples from which I can draw information. One of my aunts was married and in an emotionally abusive relationship. They eventually divorced quite early on, but not until after thay had four children (five if one of the twins hadn't died in childbirth). I'm certain he openly cheated on her, but when he remarried later in life, it seems that he may have settled down. When I look at her children, her eldest son has been sowing his seeds as far as he can. He has several children that we know about, one that we were introduced to (thought not as his child) at our last family reunion, and really, who knows how many others there are. He's been in and out of relationships...but is finally married. I really hope this relationship lasts for him...she's a lovely woman and they have two very young children. Anyway...the other two sons found their partners fairly early on and from what I know, are quite happily married, with children. The daughter recently divorced from a childless marriage (no infidelity from what I understand) and has remarried now. My point is, from one family, there are really three (if not, four) quite different situations that came out of what they arguably all witnessed. Is there a way to explain that? Probably not - we could say that each child saw different things or had different experiences.

I'd love to know if there's a part of the brain that "lights up" differently in a "cheating" brain than in one who doesn't consider going outside of their relationship for anything during certain events.

Also, brokenandalone...textbookie is completely fine. Thanks for continuing the conversation...