LA Times: What makes politicians stray?

In an opinion piece, Temple psychologist Frank Farley tries to answer the question about why people in power, namely politicians, engage in sexual infidelity. He points out that the very characteristic that makes politicians and people in power successful also contributes to their failings. "There are many possible factors: a need to express power, a love of conquest, perhaps narcissism — all characteristics that may serve a politician well in other arenas. But in my view the factor most responsible for philandering in public officials is a predisposition for risk-taking, which also happens to be an essential quality for politicians," wrote Farley.
May 22, 2011 | Los Angeles Times