Platonic Love

Loneliness

You Can Stop Forcing Yourself to Socialize

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on October 20, 2021

Feeling pressure to socialize? Research suggests you don't have to push yourself.

Feeling pressure to socialize? Research suggests you don't have to push yourself.

Friends

Why No One Should Ever Expect a Friendship to Be Perfect

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on August 28, 2021

Are you a friendship perfectionist? Here's how to stop applying perfectionist standards to friendship.

Are you a friendship perfectionist? Here's how to stop applying perfectionist standards to friendship.

Friends

How to Get Your Friends to Like You More

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on June 28, 2021

The secret to likability is not what you think it is.

The secret to likability is not what you think it is.

Friends

How You May Be Harming Your Friendships

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on May 28, 2021

We may have to think differently about friendship to find the intimacy we're looking for.

We may have to think differently about friendship to find the intimacy we're looking for.

Friends

How Men Can Make Friends

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on April 30, 2021

To make and keep friends, men may need to make a few tweaks. Here are some suggestions.

To make and keep friends, men may need to make a few tweaks. Here are some suggestions.

Friends

4 Ways to Deepen Your Friendships

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on March 27, 2021

Can't get past the "talking" stage with new friends? Try these techniques.

Can't get past the "talking" stage with new friends? Try these techniques.

Relationships

Why We Struggle to Receive Love

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

Research sheds light on why we struggle to receive love.

Research sheds light on why we struggle to receive love.

Loneliness

How to Relieve Loneliness When No One's Around

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on November 23, 2020

Being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Here are some strategies to experience joy and connection in your alone time.

Being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Here are some strategies to experience joy and connection in your alone time.

Humor

How to Deescalate Conflict During COVID

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on October 9, 2020

Has the pandemic been making your relationships tense? Here's how to solve those disagreements.

Has the pandemic been making your relationships tense? Here's how to solve those disagreements.

Friends

What Our View of Others Says About Us

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on September 10, 2020

How we view others shapes how we behave and who we are.

How we view others shapes how we behave and who we are.

Career

The Science of Networking

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on September 9, 2020

There's one question that will help you network better.

There's one question that will help you network better.

Friends

How to Know Which Friends to Keep

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on August 10, 2020

It pays to stop and discern who we really want in our life.

It pays to stop and discern who we really want in our life.

Friends

5 Ways to Make New Friends When You're Stuck at Home

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on July 17, 2020

Being stuck at home doesn't mean you have to be lonely.

Being stuck at home doesn't mean you have to be lonely.

Personality

We Have an Innate Desire to Reveal Ourselves

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on June 26, 2020

The pleasures of sharing about ourselves, according to the research.

The pleasures of sharing about ourselves, according to the research.

Trauma

Why Black People Are Traumatized by Police Encounters

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

Police brutality can lead to PTSD, particularly among Black people.

Police brutality can lead to PTSD, particularly among Black people.

Trust

Why Connection Is the Key to Fighting Misinformation

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on June 17, 2020

How we interpret "truth" depends on our relationship with the messenger.

How we interpret "truth" depends on our relationship with the messenger.

Grief

How to Help Our Friends Grieve

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on April 30, 2020

What does it look like to show up for one another right now? Here are some specific ways.

What does it look like to show up for one another right now? Here are some specific ways.

Grief

Culture Impacts How We Grieve

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on April 27, 2020

We don't all grieve the same way. Learning about how we grieve differently can help us best support one another.

We don't all grieve the same way. Learning about how we grieve differently can help us best support one another.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

This Bias Explains Why People Don't Take COVID-19 Seriously

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on March 24, 2020

Unrealistic optimism is our psychological tendency to underestimate our personal risk.

Unrealistic optimism is our psychological tendency to underestimate our personal risk.

Friends

How to Help Your Immunocompromised Friends

Marisa G. Franco Ph.D. on March 13, 2020

What to do and what not to do to help your friends at high-risk for coronavirus.

What to do and what not to do to help your friends at high-risk for coronavirus.