Introduction
Probability is the chance of occurrence of an event. It is denoted using a number depending on the frequency of occurrence of the event. Reasoning is the process of looking at actions in a step-by-step way and finding reasons for the conclusion. Probabilistic reasoning is therefore the analysis of an event’s occurrence and the reasons for its occurrence conclusively using probability. The paper seeks to explore infidelity and the contributory factors associated with probabilistic reasoning.
Contribution to Infidelity
Men and women are different beings whose psychological and physical physique is different. They also have similarities as noted by Fiddick (2004). He notes that psychologically men and women are similar in some areas. Giving the example of jealousy, he says that the emotion is an alert that a person is a threat to a valued relationship. Men and women also have differences. Men, for instance, are jealous of fellow men with resources whereas women feel threatened by women with nicer looks.
Probabilistic reasoning uses Bayeism theory whereby subjective and objective factors are calculated in posterior and prior probabilities. A prior probability is usually a subjective assessment of an experienced person. Once it is calculated, it is used to calculate the posterior probability. When applied to a relationship or a marriage, one partner will develop a tinge of jealousy which will be an obvious negative assessment of the other partner. If there are previous instances of infidelity, this will add to the prior probability that will have been created. Using the Bayes theorem, the most probable next instance of infidelity can be calculated (Fiddick, 2004).
Correlation to Other Factors
Happiness is a factor that every marriage or relationship yearns for. In some cases, it can about as the relationship’s undoing when it is just an illusion. Probability reasoning as a measure can be applied where a comparison is made between the happiness of yesterday and today. Taking yesterday as the prior probability of today’s happiness, a spouse may be in a position to evaluate today’s happiness and use it as a tool to insinuate infidelity (Fiddick, 2004).
The sexual life of the spouses is another illusionary factor that is related to infidelity. Men have a great attachment to sex and thus are more likely to be hurt by their spouses who cheat. When the relationship is still in its early stages, sex life is blissful and as the relationship grows and both the sex life is overridden by other factors such as children and finances, men may think of infidelity as the cause. When the probabilistic approach is used men will start comparing and this may be a wrong approach to the subject (Fenigstein and Peltz, 2002).
Children are the fruits of marriage but can become its undoing. Women cling to the children in their early stages and also giving birth results in a woman’s body not assuming the initial stature. There is also sudden disinterest in sex. During pregnancy, a man also has to contend with a psychologically disturbed woman. All these create loopholes that render the relationship in a comparison mode. In such cases, either spouse can think of infidelity.
Conclusion
Probabilistic reasoning is a major player in the decisions many people make. Since probabilistic reasoning stems from a previous benchmark, it is logically acceptable. Infidelity in a relationship can render spouses to this conclusion even when there is none at all. Correlation to other factors is always the most viable reason.
References
- Fenigstein, A., & Peltz, R. (2002). Distress over the infidelity of a child’s spouse: a crucial test of evolutionary and socialization hypotheses. Personal Relationship Journal, 9(1), 19-30.
- Fiddick, L. (2004). Domains of deontic reasoning: resolving the discrepancy between the cognitive and moral reasoning literatures. Infidelity, 57(1), 34–45.