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Understanding Attribution Bias and Reasons Behind Internet Infidelity in India

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Cybercrime, Organized Crime, and Societal Responses

Abstract

It has been alleged that social pathologies are beginning to surface in cyberspace. The present study examined whether attribution-making process serve as a mechanism for a partner’s extradyadic involvement with some else through Internet. It extends insight into the prevalence, attribution, and rationale behind indulging in Internet Infidelity. A pilot study was conducted in North India (n = 488) where a survey questionnaire was administered.

Study 1 attempted to address the question by comparing attributions, perception, and attitude towards online acts of infidelity of the two set of participants: Those who admitted their involvement in Internet Infidelity (Group A) and those who were never involved in Internet Infidelity (Group B) of Online Infidelity. Meta-analysis yielded two components: Dispositional factors (which included three sub-factors: (a) Strong Moral Values, (b) Religious Principles, (c) Not wanting to Cheat on One’s Partner) and Situational factors (which also included three sub-factors: (a) Fear of Being Caught, (b) Lack of Knowledge, (c) Internet Inaccessibility). It was found that Perpetrators attributed situation factors and non-perpetrators attributed dispositional factors behind non indulgence or disengagement of people in Internet Infidelity.

Study 2 investigates the reasons of perpetrators (Married and In a committed relationship) behind involvement in Internet Infidelity. Findings demonstrated significantly different reasons behind involvement in extradyadic online relationship between respondents who are Married (Emotional Support, Frustration, Boredom) and In a Relationship (Peer Pressure, Desire to Explore).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    http://www.businessinsider.in/MAP-Divorce-Rates-Around-The-World/articleshow/35606389.cms.

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  1. Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P. Jindal Global University, Haryana, 131001, India

    Garima Jain & Sanjeev P. Sahni

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  1. Garima Jain
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  2. Sanjeev P. Sahni
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Correspondence to Garima Jain .

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  1. International Society of Criminology, Washington, DC, USA

    Emilio C. Viano

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Jain, G., Sahni, S.P. (2017). Understanding Attribution Bias and Reasons Behind Internet Infidelity in India. In: Viano, E. (eds) Cybercrime, Organized Crime, and Societal Responses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44501-4_3

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