While definitions of cheating come in a wide variety, they generally revolve around two main ideas: betrayal and broken trust.

Eve blazed the trail when she found herself screwed, apple in hand, in the Garden of Eden. Ever since, mankind has struggled to resist all sorts of temptation, including infidelity.

According to the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, research done in 2013 revealed that cheating is fairly common for both men and women. About 57 percent of men admit to committing infidelity in any relationship they’ve had; 54 percent of women admit doing the same. These numbers only increase on college campuses.

Glenn Geher, director of evolutionary studies at State University of New York at New Paltz, said cheating in relationships is “relatively common among college students.”

According to a study conducted by Oakland University’s Evolutionary Psychology Lab, anywhere from 65-75 percent of college students have been unfaithful in a relationship. Many experts attribute this to the ever-changing dating culture on campuses and NSA (No Strings Attached) sex.

Regardless of their cause, these behaviors don’t cease come graduation day. After years of developing premarital cheating patterns, experts believe that these behaviors “spill over into marriage.”

Makes one wonder — why the need for so much booty on the side?

There are many schools of thought on why people cheat. However, there are primary differences between male and female cheaters.

According to WebMD.com, the majority of women cheat to fill an emotional void or something lacking in their relationship. Marriage and Family Therapist Winifred Reilly describes it as a coping mechanism.

“They are on a sinking ship and use it as a life raft because they don’t want to just jump into the cold water,” she said.

Men, on the other hand, often report to being happy in their primary relationships and having sexual motives. They can also succumb to peer pressure if they see their friends engaging in sexually promiscuous behavior.

As for college campuses, heavy binge drinking can aid in risky sexual decision making.

The impairment that comes with consuming multiple drinks at a time can lead to a range of things. Students report everything from having unprotected sex to sexual assault. The result: college cheaters blame their decisions on alcohol consumption.

The bottom line: regardless of what you believe, be smart and protect your heart.