Infidelity turns out to be caused by a genetic mutation

Indonesians condemn adultery. It seems that most people, if not all, view it as immoral.

But ironically, the number of cheatings in Indonesia is unlikely to show signs of deterioration. Based on data compiled from Religious Courts throughout Indonesia, infidelity caused 10,444 couples to divorce from a total of 15,771 divorce cases throughout 2007.And from data belonging to the Director General of Badilag, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, infidelity is reported to have ranked second as the highest cause of divorce after economic factors in 2011.

We are used to thinking that cheating is a sign of an unhealthy relationship or moral flaw. In fact, the genes you inherit from your parents are also responsible for this deviant behavior.

A survey conducted by a research team at the University of Pennsylvania found that 71 percent of female respondents who had cheated had a mother who had also been ambivalent. Likewise with men. As many as 45 percent of male respondents who had flirted with a father who had also had an affair. What is the reason?

Genetics and adultery, what's the connection?

In men, the tendency to cheat is more based on the subconscious impulse of the brain inherited from ancient times, which views sex as a purely biological activity to reproduce in order to increase their chances of having more offspring in the world.

What needs to be understood, the desire or motivation to cheat from everyone comes from the reward center in the brain where the production of the hormone dopamine. When stimulated - by alcohol, drugs, chocolate candy, to sex - the brain releases dopamine. This hormone makes us feel happy, excited, and happy.

Research shows that in men who are fond of cheating, the mixed sensation of being happy because they have not (or haven't) been caught cheating due to this dopamine urge actually motivates them to do this even more.

People who have the DRD4 gene in their body are more prone to cheating

On the other hand, the tendency to cheat in some people is also influenced by the diversity of genes in their DNA chain. From the results of research by researchers from the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton, people who have certain variants of the polymorphic D4 receptor (DRD4 gene) are more likely to cheat and "snack on sex" outside the home.

Justin Garcia, chief researcher and doctorate student (S3) of the Faculty of Evolutionary Anthropology and Health at SUNY Binghamton, said that in people who have the DRD4 gene, the tendency to cheat is higher because their bodies naturally need greater stimulation to feel satisfaction..

For example, some people will feel really excited when they finish a tense roller coaster ride. But in people with the DRD4 gene, they would ask to repeat the attraction, again and again, to test their limits.

It is known from the study, 50 percent of participants who had the DRD4 gene admitted to having had an affair at least once in their lifetime compared to people who did not have this gene (only 22 percent). Interestingly, continued Gracia, the DRD4 gene mutation is inherited from a parent. So if your parents had this gene, you have it too.

It is not true that men are more at risk of cheating

In evolutionary theory, men are said to be more prone to cheating on the grounds of maintaining offspring. Meanwhile, women are always expected to live faithfully with one partner, even since ancient times.

Surprisingly, a study published in Evolution and Human Behavior in 2014 found that after observing more than 7,000 Finnish twins, women who carried mutations in the vasopressin receptor gene in their brains were more likely to cheat.

Vasopressin is a hormone produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and stored in the pituitary gland at the front of the brain; is released along with oxytocin when we have physical contact with other people, for example hugging, kissing, or having sex.

Vasopressin plays a major role in human social behavior, such as trust, empathy, and sexual bonding. Sex activates the happy hormone, which actually strengthens the value of sex as an activity to close relationships for women, which also strengthens the tendency to monogamy with their current partner.

So it makes sense that mutations in the vasopressin receptor gene (which can change its function) could influence women's sexual behavior. Interestingly, this gene mutation was not found in men. However, researchers still don't know whether the gene mutation at the vasopressin receptor associated with infidelity actually makes the brain less responsive to the hormone's effects.

Will everyone who has the gene mutation cheat automatically?

Above all, biological factors are not the only factors that play a role in infidelity. Other factors such as economy, emotional problems, and alcohol abuse are also known to have a big role in the likelihood of someone cheating.

Ultimately, although hormones and genetics influence our behavior to some extent, the final decision is yours - whether to stay loyal or land someone else's heart.