How to Prevent Cheating

No one wants to go through the pain that cheating can bring to a relationship. While there are no guarantees to happiness in any relationship, experts believe you can take steps to prevent cheating by yourself or by your significant other. A few small changes will at least make cheating less likely.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Stopping Your Significant Other From Cheating

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1
Recognize red flags. Sometimes you can spot the red flags that lead to cheating before your significant other has cheated. This will allow you to address any problems before it's too late.
- Some people cheat in response to "emotional chaos" like a terrible argument. ^{[1]XResearch source}
- Not being immediately available when you call, text, or email or wanting more space are red flags. ^{[2]XResearch source}
- Changes or improvements in physical appearance can indicate cheating. If your significant other looks or smells better, you should be vigilant.
- Believe it or not, couples who stop arguing may be more prone to cheating. That's because not arguing can be a sign of giving up. ^{[3]XResearch source}
- Never having sex with your spouse is an obvious red flag that signals a problem in the relationship. Don't ignore that part of your relationship. ^{[4]XResearch source}
2
Don't live together before you marry. When asked to show firm commitment, people who hedge are more likely to cheat.
- Cheating is more likely with couples who live together before marriage. People are six times as likely to live together before marriage today than they were 30 years ago.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Many studies have found that people who live together are less happy overall in their relationships. You have the problems and challenges of a long-term relationship without the commitment.^{[6]XResearch source}
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3
Understand gender differences. Although not universally true, experts say that men and women sometimes cheat for different reasons.
- Women sometimes cheat because they don't feel emotionally affirmed and appreciated by their partners. ^{[7]XResearch source}
- Women may find emotional cheating more threatening than a physical affair.
- Some men may minimize physical cheating without emotional involvement. Make it clear if you consider physical only cheating wrong.
- However, it's not true that men never cheat because of emotional neglect. Some studies have found that men cheat for emotional affirmation.
4
Initiate sex sometimes. Don't always be the one to wait for an overture. You want to make your significant other know he or she is wanted. ^{[8]XResearch source}
- You should never do anything you are uncomfortable with, but being a little adventurous in the bedroom can keep relationships from feeling stale. Boredom is a key factor in cheating. ^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you don't have any sex drive, don't hide this from your partner. There could be an underlying medical reason or an emotional one, and it's better to discuss and address it.
- Physical contact like hugging, kissing, or holding hands can be important forms of physical intimacy. Don't ignore them.
5
Communicate. If something is bugging you, it's better to communicate about it than to let it fester. If you like something about your partner, let them know.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If you're feeling rejected or unhappy about something, tell your significant other. This is better than allowing the problem to grow. But try to start your sentence with words like "I feel" so your spouse doesn't end up feeling denigrated. ^{[11]XResearch source}
- Periodically go to counseling with your significant other. This can be a good way to dig out underlying problems before they get worse.
- Give your partner verbal reassurance. Some people cheat purely for physical reasons or because they are bored. However, cheating because of feeling emotionally neglected is more common.
- Let men feel like the hero. It might sound trite, but they love to hear it.
- Leave little notes telling your significant other how much they mean to you.
- Focus on and talk about what works, not just the problems in a relationship. ^{[12]XResearch source}
6
Enter agreements. Although entering agreements doesn't sound very romantic, it really can work. Sometimes people assume their expectations are understood when they are not. Studies into couples who have been married between 40 and 70 years found that communication was a very important factor in the marriage's working. Understanding each other's expectations and being realistic about your own is an important part of communicating well. ^{[13]XResearch source}
- Come to agreements over issues like how often you will travel, household chores, parenting matters, and finances. ^{[14]XResearch source}
- Make it clear what is considered to be cheating. Does kissing count? How about emotional connections? Having a conversation like this out of the blue could be jarring to many significant others. So you should bring it up only in a deeper conversation about your relationship. It might be a good idea to explain your expectations in this area first.^{[15]XResearch source}
- You could consider writing your agreements down so they are clear.
7
Don't let yourself go. This may lead to some hard truths. Have you let yourself go? Keeping your physical appearance shows respect for yourself and your partner.
- Physical attractiveness is more than just natural beauty or handsomeness. Studies have found that good hygiene and proper posture make people seem more attractive. ^{[16]XResearch source}
- Weight matters. It's common for people to gain weight as they age, but a combination of exercise and watching your diet can improve your physical attractiveness. ^{[17]XResearch source}
- Buying new clothes can enhance physical attractiveness. Getting a new hairstyle can too. ^{[18]XResearch source}
- Being positive and pleasant makes people seem more attractive. Smile, and you will look better.
8
Have your interests. Although it's dangerous to do everything on your own, people are attracted to people who have their interests or passions.
- Accommodating everything your partner wants can backfire and leave them bored with you. ^{[19]XResearch source}
- Part of showing independence is not overly restricting your partner, but allowing them to have their interests and space at times too. ^{[20]XResearch source}
9
Find the best way to emotionally connect with your partner. People don't express and receive love the same way. Understanding how your partner likes to be appreciated can help them feel more affirmed overall. Here are just a few ways your partner might like to be supported:
- Kind and meaningful statements about how much you care about them
- Thoughtful gestures to make their life a little easier
- Physical contact to help you feel closer
- Buying/making and giving them presents that they might enjoy
- Giving them your full focus
10
Don't use manipulation methods. Some methods people use to stop cheating can backfire because they are negative and manipulative.
- Stalking, tracking people, or snooping can be illegal, not just counterproductive.
- Threatening to leave or cheat yourself, becoming excessively controlling, or applying guilt trips are manipulation methods that might push your significant other farther away. ^{[21]XResearch source}
- Manipulation methods can be divided into two categories: direct guarding or negative inducements. Direct guarding means you control, snoop, or isolate your partner. Negative inducement includes crying, threatening, or insulting rivals. None of this is very effective in the long run.
11
Use positive inducements. Instead of resorting to manipulation methods, keep your mate with positive and affirming behavior.
- Buying your significant other a gift, complimenting them, being more interested in sex, and showing love all will reduce the chances of cheating. ^{[22]XResearch source}
- Go to bed at the same time as your partner. This encourages intimacy, and it gives less space for cheating. ^{[23]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Stopping Yourself From Cheating

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1
Watch alcohol use. Not surprisingly, alcohol causes people to do things they wouldn't do otherwise because it lowers inhibitions.
- Don't drink with people not your spouse. If you must attend an after-work gathering, for example, take your spouse along.
- Sometimes people drink before cheating to give themselves a ready-made excuse. Don't use the "alcohol made me do it" excuse. Alcohol and cheating are camouflaging deeper problems. ^{[24]XResearch source}
- Avoid places where alcohol and strangers collide, like parties and bars, unless your significant other is along.
2
Pick the right friends. It's dangerous to hang out with friends who are cheating or who enable cheating.
- Pick married friends or friends who are also in committed relationships.
- Don't meet friends you might be attracted to without others there. Try to have couples' friends, not friends your spouse doesn't know.
3
Think about your children. Although many children make it through divorces and thrive in life, there is no question that infidelity and divorce can be difficult on children.
- Imagine your behavior on the front page of the newspaper. Would you be OK with your children reading about it? If the answer is no, you probably shouldn't do it.
- If you must leave a relationship, don't cheat before you do. It will make the divorce process much more acrimonious, which is bad for children.
4
Watch out for work entanglements. Many affairs start in the workplace, in part because people spend so much time with people with whom they have a common interest.
- Don't ride in cars alone with a co-worker.
- Keep conversation strictly business-related.
- Working late too much provides an environment for cheating and will worry your significant other. It also shows a lack of prioritization of the relationship. ^{[25]XResearch source}
- Engage with co-workers in groups, not one-on-one.
- Get to know the families and significant others of your co-workers, and let them know yours.
5
Work on emotional bonding. Some people cheat because they feel emotionally neglected at home. However, there are steps you can take to increase your emotional connection with your significant other.
- Create touch points throughout the day, in which you email, call, or make an intimate gesture. You will likely receive one back.
- If your emotional needs are not being met, don't keep it to yourself. Express it. Tell your significant other what you need.
- The best thing to do is talk to them and say that you have been noticing some things and would like to know what is happening.
- Try to find some specific points you are concerned about, such as you may have noticed that your partner has been working late and you do not know where they are.
- If your partner has cheated, you can go for counseling with a professional. You may need to have several open discussions about it.
6
Demonstrate commitment. If you hesitate at all when revealing your level of commitment, you could be sending signals to people that you're available.
- Wear your wedding ring.
- Make your relationship clear on social media.
- If you find yourself hesitating when asked about your relationship by saying something like "it's complicated," you're leaving a door open.
- Make it clear to any temptations that you are not available.
7
Watch the Internet and other electronics. The Internet is a dangerous environment for relationships. The Internet makes it easy for exes or other people to have access to you.
- People on social networking are at more risk for cheating. Share passwords with your spouse or significant other.
- Pornography is easier to access on the Internet and can lead to cheating in real life. ^{[26]XResearch source}
- Don't guard your phone. Let your significant other have access to your phone, and don't password-protect it. If you're unwilling to answer calls in front of your significant other, you've got a problem.^{[27]XResearch source}
8
Understand emotional cheating. Cheating isn't always physical. Emotional cheating can be just as destructive. Understand what emotional cheating is because this can be key to preventing it.
- If you're communicating with someone in secret or lying about the nature of the communications, you're in a danger zone. ^{[28]XResearch source}
- It's the amount of communication that matters here, not just the content. Is most of your communication with someone not your significant other?
- Don't share confidences with someone not your significant other, especially secrets your significant other doesn't know.
- If you laugh a lot with a person, make eye contact, dress up for them, and find yourself excited to see them, you could be having an emotional affair.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Stopping Cheating at School

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1
Create a physical environment that deters cheating. Teachers and parents can take steps to make it less likely a student will cheat.
- Place an empty chair or desk in between each student during a test.
- Make seating assignments random during exams. ^{[29]XResearch source}
- Instruct students to leave blackberries, smartphones, tablets, and notebooks elsewhere during a test.
2
Craft tests that don't encourage cheating. Not all tests are created equal. Some make it easier for a student to cheat.
- Create two versions of your test. ^{[30]XResearch source}
- Students are less likely to cheat on tests that require essays than on tests with multiple choice or true and false questions.
3
Create a psychological environment that deters cheating. You can stop cheating by tackling the emotions that drive some students to cheat.
- Encourage mistakes. If you don't make students feel they can make mistakes without being criticized, they might be more likely to cheat. Explain that mistakes are part of learning.
- Schools that place heavy focus on grading statistics and class rankings instead of learning might find that more students will cheat.
- Outline your policy on cheating. ^{[31]XResearch source}
- Explain plagiarism. Some students might not be aware of what plagiarism is due to the easy availability of information on the Internet.

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Sometimes relationships can't be salvaged after cheating has occurred, but sometimes they can. As bizarre as it sounds, sometimes affairs make relationships stronger. Don't cheat for this reason, but if it's already happened to you, you can still fix things.^{[32]XResearch source}
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Think about what your future goals are, and what would be the consequences of cheating. For example, if you get caught cheating and your goal is to attend medical school, AMCAS requires you to disclose the offense even if nothing appears on your records.
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Remember that losing your credibility affects you much more than the three or so points you may have gained on an exam or assignment by cheating.
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