Intimately Connected

Attention

The Flirting Paradox

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on October 17, 2024

New research reveals a surprising twist in how we react when others show interest in our significant other.

New research reveals a surprising twist in how we react when others show interest in our significant other.

Relationships

Does Power Corrupt the Heart?

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on October 12, 2024

Power dynamics don’t just shape boardrooms, they infiltrate our most intimate bonds. A new study reveals how and why feeling powerful might increase vulnerability to infidelity.

Power dynamics don’t just shape boardrooms, they infiltrate our most intimate bonds. A new study reveals how and why feeling powerful might increase vulnerability to infidelity.

Sex

Can Couples With Different Sexual Desires Survive?

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on May 28, 2023

Differing sexual needs don't necessarily doom a relationship. Here's how to navigate them.

Differing sexual needs don't necessarily doom a relationship. Here's how to navigate them.

Sex

Why Foreplay Begins Outside the Bedroom

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on May 15, 2023

How to create a relational ambiance that will unleash sexual desire.

How to create a relational ambiance that will unleash sexual desire.

Infidelity

How to "Inoculate" Partners Against Infidelity

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on April 2, 2023

For the first time, a study shows how virtual reality affects real-world relationships.

For the first time, a study shows how virtual reality affects real-world relationships.

Relationships

How to Make a Relationship More Infidelity-Proof

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on December 5, 2022

A thought exercise that fortifies resolve.

A thought exercise that fortifies resolve.

Infidelity

What Makes Someone More Likely to Cheat?

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on October 7, 2022

Are you living in an environment where cheating is common? Beware—it's contagious!

Are you living in an environment where cheating is common? Beware—it's contagious!

Flirting

What Happens After an Attempted Mate Poaching

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on October 1, 2022

If someone’s flirting with you online, beware: It could ruin your relationship.

If someone’s flirting with you online, beware: It could ruin your relationship.

Sex

Why Sexual Desire Is So Important to a Relationship

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on November 4, 2021

Sexual desire functions as a psychological mechanism encouraging investment in partners.

Sexual desire functions as a psychological mechanism encouraging investment in partners.

Fantasies

What Sexual Fantasies Can Do for a Relationship

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on October 27, 2021

What are the broader implications of having certain sexual fantasies?

What are the broader implications of having certain sexual fantasies?

Fantasies

What Fantasies Reveal About Who You Are in Relationships

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on October 4, 2021

How does your personality interact with your broader relationship atmosphere to influence what you fantasize about?

How does your personality interact with your broader relationship atmosphere to influence what you fantasize about?

Fantasies

How Does Your Personality Affect What You Fantasize About?

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on August 11, 2021

Why people frequently fantasize about certain fantasies while only rarely fantasizing about others.

Why people frequently fantasize about certain fantasies while only rarely fantasizing about others.

Fantasies

Why People Fantasize About Sex

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on August 10, 2021

How do real-life interactions affect your fantasies?

How do real-life interactions affect your fantasies?

Fantasies

What Sexual Fantasies Can Teach Us

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on August 10, 2021

Sexual fantasies are unique expressions of sexual desire. Here's what we can learn from studying them.

Sexual fantasies are unique expressions of sexual desire. Here's what we can learn from studying them.

Sex

How Sexual Thoughts Build Emotional Connections Between Strangers

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on September 2, 2020

Why you should get “in the mood” before a date.

Why you should get “in the mood” before a date.

Sex

Seeing What You Want to See in a Potential Partner

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on August 27, 2020

How to increase the odds of finding a mate.

How to increase the odds of finding a mate.

Sex

Attachment Insecurity and the Toll It Takes on Your Sex Life

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on August 18, 2020

How do men and women differ in the way they manage their sexual insecurities?

How do men and women differ in the way they manage their sexual insecurities?

Play

What Really Happens When People Play Hard to Get

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on June 6, 2020

Is being hard to get an effective mating strategy?

Is being hard to get an effective mating strategy?

Sex

A Deadly Aphrodisiac

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on April 5, 2020

How might the pandemic affect your desire for sex?

How might the pandemic affect your desire for sex?

Sex

How Far People Will Go to Impress a Potential Partner

Gurit E. Birnbaum, Ph.D. on April 1, 2020

Will being in a sexy mood change how far you would go to impress a prospective romantic partner?

Will being in a sexy mood change how far you would go to impress a prospective romantic partner?