Why I wrote Unfaithful Minds

Over the decades, I’ve had countless clients seek my assistance because they were struggling to understand why they or their partner had been unfaithful, even though they’d already read a stack of self-help books and spoken to several previous therapists. These individuals were looking for substantive answers, but there was no way for me to provide that information during therapy sessions.

During recent decades, scientists’ understanding of human behavior has changed a great deal. The new perspective has obvious implications for infidelity. However, before I wrote Unfaithful Minds (Prometheus, 2026), there weren’t any books that applied the modern scientific view of behavior to violations of trust that occur in romantic relationships.

Unfaithful Minds doesn’t tell you how to put an end to your own unfaithful behavior, nor does it say much about how to respond if you discover that your partner has been unfaithful. Those are important topics, but plenty of self-help books have already addressed them.

Unfaithful Minds explains the psychological processes that lead to infidelity. Unless you’ve carefully followed serious scientific-psychology research over the last 20 years, many of the mechanisms will surprise you. (If you want to understand why someone who was, or at least seemed to be, happy in their relationship was unfaithful, Unfaithful Minds is the only place you’ll find the answer.)

The Next Big Idea Club (curators: Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Daniel Pink, and Adam Grant) has designated Unfaithful Minds a Must-Read!

What Experts Are Saying about Unfaithful Minds

“Hutchinson combines a rare breadth and depth of scholarship with exceptionally clear and engaging prose to help us understand one of the most vexing aspects of human nature. Drawing on insights from the latest research and his own rich clinical experience, he shows the reader that infidelity often stems from brain processes that operate outside of our conscious awareness.

This is a must read for anyone interested in a rigorous scientific understanding of infidelity, presented by a thoughtful clinician and scholar in a highly accessible manner.” – Jim Rilling, Professor of Psychology, Emory University

“Hutchinson, an experienced marital therapist, weaves stories about his clients with discussion of scientific findings regarding (mostly unconscious) mental processes to illuminate the factors that often lead to infidelity… a thoroughly engaging read!” – Russell Fazio, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, Ohio State University

“Glenn Hutchinson has written a book about infidelity that is at once fascinating, profound, courageous, and understandable.  He captures your interest with engaging clinical cases and once he has your attention, he weaves scientific theory and research seamlessly into explaining the how and why of this intriguing aspect of human relationships.  It is a must read for all who have been affected by infidelity!” – Steve Nowicki, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology, Emory University

“Unfaithful Minds is a fascinating, eye-opening, scientifically grounded account of the myriad factors that influence people toward acts of infidelity, many of which fly under the radar. Dr. Glenn Hutchinson masterfully draws from disciplines such as experimental psychology, anthropology, and evolutionary biology, combining a wealth of research findings with captivating and highly recognizable real-life examples from couples therapy. The result is a compelling read that is educational, enlightening, and entertaining. Whether one’s interest in this subject is intellectual, personal, or clinical, readers will find this book to be highly relevant and thought-provoking.” – Cory F. Newman, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology, in Psychiatry; University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine; Director, Center for Cognitive Therapy