Factors related to three types of Extra Relationship Involvement (ERI) in w
omen were explored: emotional ERI, sexual ERI, and a combination of sexual
and emotional ERIs. A model. based on a decision-making model of male ERI a
nd the additional variable of commitment, was evaluated The research involv
ed two studies with female participants (N = 112, N = 44) who had been invo
lved in heterosexual relationships of at least 6-month duration, The major
finding M as that women engage in emotional and combined ERIs but rarely en
ter into solely sexual ERIs. It was demonstrated that social norms, plannin
g, relationship satisfaction, and commitment were influential in predicting
emotional and combined ERI intentions. Past ERI behavior was a strong pred
ictor of future emotional and combined ERI behavior bur planning also added
to the prediction of combined ERI behavior: Women who had engaged in emoti
onal ERIs and combined ERIs indicated romantic affect as the main reason fo
r their ERI behavior. Overall, it was demonstrated that women's intentions
to engage in ERI were related to cognitive processes and relationship varia
bles, and that ERI behavior, although generally habitual, was also predicte
d br cognitive processes.