David Moultrop (1990) defined an emotional affair in the following way:

"A relationship between a person and someone other than (their) spouse (or lover) that has an impact on the level of intimacy, emotional distance and overall dynamic balance in the marriage. The role of an affair is to create emotional distance in the marriage."

Dr. Shirley Glass (2003) provides the following criteria to assess the difference between friendship and an emotional affair. Do you confide more to your friend than to your partner about how your day went?

Do you discuss negative feelings or intimate details about your marriage with your friend but not with your partner? Are you open with your partner about the extent of your involvement with your friend?

Would you feel comfortable if your partner heard your conversation with your friend? Would you feel comfortable if your partner saw a videotape of your meetings? Are you aware of sexual tensions in this friendship? Do you and your friend touch differently when you're alone than in front of others? Are you in love with your friend?

Discuss the idea that friendship characterized by such behaviours identified above is or is not just friendship. Do you consider such behaviours to be cheating? What have you learned about infidelity from your readings that would suggest such relationships are doomed to fail?