The science of why people cheat

The reasons why people join such sites may be varied, but according to researchers, they boil down to two main causes; boredom and emotional support.

The first reason is largely acted on by people who are not happy with their sex lives, according to relationship expert, Professor Pepper Schwartz.

'They've been in a relationship for a long time, and they long for the excitement of something new,' the University of Washington professor told Live Science.

'Oftentimes, these people aren't actively looking for an affair, but they take advantage of meeting a cute crush at a conference, workplace or reunion.'

According to Eric Anderson, chief science officer at AshleyMadison.com, this is reflected on the site.

Most women who joined it said they weren't unhappy with their partner, and didn't want a divorce, they just wanted excitement.

The same can't be said for the second category of people who are unhappy in their relationships.

'They don't want to leave for various reasons - children, money, you name it — but they're just sort of aching for something that's emotionally reinforcing,' Schwartz said.

'The vast majority of cheaters aren't willful philanderers, but instead wind up getting involved almost by accident rather than by design,' relationship expert Dr Duana Welch told DailyMail.com.

'Science shows that the progression goes like this: They meet at work, where they're thrown together again and again.

'First, they tell themselves and each other that they're attracted, but that they'd never act on it, because they're happily married.

(dailymail.co.uk)