The Psychology of Relationships

Genetics

Is There a Strong-Relationship Gene?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on March 3, 2021

New research explores genes' role in gratitude, trust, forgiveness, and marital satisfaction.

New research explores genes' role in gratitude, trust, forgiveness, and marital satisfaction.

Relationships

23 Reasons People Leave Relationships

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on February 17, 2021

What does your relationship's future hold? Research has explored the most common reasons to stay and to go.

What does your relationship's future hold? Research has explored the most common reasons to stay and to go.

Relationships

Is Your Partner "The One"?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on February 8, 2021

Everyone deserves a great relationship. Have you found yours? It’s easy to know what you want, but much more difficult to know what you have. Relationship science can help.

Everyone deserves a great relationship. Have you found yours? It’s easy to know what you want, but much more difficult to know what you have. Relationship science can help.

Relationships

How Can You Avoid Settling in Your Relationship?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on January 21, 2021

No one wants to settle, so what's the solution? It's not what you think. Demanding "only the best" can backfire and result in losing the great relationship that you had all along.

No one wants to settle, so what's the solution? It's not what you think. Demanding "only the best" can backfire and result in losing the great relationship that you had all along.

Mindfulness

How Mindfulness Can Improve Relationships

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on January 6, 2021

Not only can daily mindfulness exercises help you, but your partner and your connection as well.

Not only can daily mindfulness exercises help you, but your partner and your connection as well.

Optimism

7 New Year's Resolutions for a Fulfilling Relationship

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on December 29, 2020

These 7 research-based and actionable resolutions will help strengthen your relationship in the year ahead.

These 7 research-based and actionable resolutions will help strengthen your relationship in the year ahead.

Relationships

5 Ways to Learn From Your Relationship’s Past

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on December 16, 2020

A better relationship future requires learning from our past. This 5-step review helps us build a strong foundation for next year by revealing what’s working and where to improve.

A better relationship future requires learning from our past. This 5-step review helps us build a strong foundation for next year by revealing what’s working and where to improve.

Relationships

Who Is Most Eager to Get Back Together With an Ex?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on December 2, 2020

Breakups are tough, so it's natural to want to get back together. But what does the desire to rekindle a past relationship say about you?

Breakups are tough, so it's natural to want to get back together. But what does the desire to rekindle a past relationship say about you?

Relationships

Should You Break Up With Your Partner?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on November 19, 2020

Deciding whether to end a relationship is a big deal. But there's a surprisingly easy way to help you decide: Flip a coin. Though it seems ridiculous, it's revealing.

Deciding whether to end a relationship is a big deal. But there's a surprisingly easy way to help you decide: Flip a coin. Though it seems ridiculous, it's revealing.

Mating

What Happens When Men and Women Reverse Dating Roles?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on November 10, 2020

Dating follows predictable patterns. But what happens when men and women go off script? When roles are reversed, the results can be unexpected.

Dating follows predictable patterns. But what happens when men and women go off script? When roles are reversed, the results can be unexpected.

Marriage

Is Your Relationship Headed for Marriage?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on October 22, 2020

When you look into your relationship’s future, do you see marriage or will things fizzle out? Rituals provide a deceptively simple glimpse that may reveal your fate.

When you look into your relationship’s future, do you see marriage or will things fizzle out? Rituals provide a deceptively simple glimpse that may reveal your fate.

Flirting

The Science of Flirting: Deciphering Subtle Signals

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on October 8, 2020

Flirting is confusing. But by learning more about the science of flirting you may be a little more effective at sending and interpreting the subtle signals.

Flirting is confusing. But by learning more about the science of flirting you may be a little more effective at sending and interpreting the subtle signals.

Relationships

Who Is Most Likely to Fall in Love with the Wrong Person?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on September 18, 2020

No one wants to pick the wrong partner, but some people may be especially prone to it. New research show how falling in love too easily can lead to bad decisions.

No one wants to pick the wrong partner, but some people may be especially prone to it. New research show how falling in love too easily can lead to bad decisions.

Relationships

Why Do People Call Off Their Wedding?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on August 13, 2020

Ending an engagement is a big decision. What leads people to do it, and what steps can you take to avoid a similar turn of events?

Ending an engagement is a big decision. What leads people to do it, and what steps can you take to avoid a similar turn of events?

Infidelity

The Biology of Relationship Infidelity

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on August 4, 2020

There are lots of reasons why people cheat on a partner. But it may all start with biology. Could our testosterone or estrogen levels actually impact infidelity?

There are lots of reasons why people cheat on a partner. But it may all start with biology. Could our testosterone or estrogen levels actually impact infidelity?

Beauty

Will a Tan Make You More Attractive?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on July 17, 2020

Does getting a tan make us more attractive? Do pale people look less healthy? See what research can tell us about the benefits and consequences of sunbathing.

Does getting a tan make us more attractive? Do pale people look less healthy? See what research can tell us about the benefits and consequences of sunbathing.

Infidelity

What Type of Person Gets Cheated on Most Often?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on June 24, 2020

Are you the type of person who gets cheated on? New research examines the role our personality plays in our partner's infidelity.

Are you the type of person who gets cheated on? New research examines the role our personality plays in our partner's infidelity.

Marriage

Predicting Your Relationship Future...Marriage or Misery?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on June 15, 2020

Unseen patterns in your relationship past can provide clues for the future.

Unseen patterns in your relationship past can provide clues for the future.

Relationships

Will the Pandemic Ruin Your Relationship?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on May 21, 2020

How has the global pandemic affected romantic relationships? What about how much we argue, couples' sex lives, or their stress? How do they think the virus impacts their future?

How has the global pandemic affected romantic relationships? What about how much we argue, couples' sex lives, or their stress? How do they think the virus impacts their future?

Friends

Should My Partner Be My Best Friend?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on May 18, 2020

How many people consider their relationship partner their best friend? Are best-friend partners better partners? Why are best-friend partners so beneficial?

How many people consider their relationship partner their best friend? Are best-friend partners better partners? Why are best-friend partners so beneficial?