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Is a gene to blame for some women's infidelity?

Sari Cooper, a certified relationship expert, joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss the controversial topic
New study explores role of genetics in infidelity 03:48

For years, some men have been able to blame their infidelity on genetics, but now a new study suggests some women might have a similar reason for cheating.

University of Queensland psychologist Brendan P. Zietsch looked at variants in people's vasopressin gene, a hormone related to bonding and attachment in humans.

Although it's too early to tell whether the gene is a major driver in behavior, said certified relationship expert Sari Cooper, the study showed a 40 percent association with the gene and infidelity in women.

Cooper said everyone has the hormone, but there are still many reasons why women tell her they're unfaithful.

"One of them is a fear that they are being ignored, that they almost feel invisible in their relationship," Cooper said Wednesday on "CBS This Morning." "That they want to feel special and cherished."

She also said another reason why a woman might cheat on her partner is because of "inequity."

"If a woman feels like their partner is making all of the decisions, has all the power in the relationship, an affair might be her way of getting back at her partner," she said.

While according to Cooper men and women can have similar reasons for cheating, some reasons are quite different.

"Some women will say, 'There was one point in our relationship where you just weren't there for me,' like, 'I was giving birth to our child and maybe you were drinking at a bar, and I've never gotten over it,'" Cooper said. "Men might say, 'I didn't think it was going to happen. I just happened to do it.' Or they might say, 'I was drunk. I didn't know what I was doing.'"

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