Dating and Mating

Infidelity

The Surprisingly Strong Link Between Genetics and Infidelity

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on March 19, 2024

Large research projects involving twins suggest a strong link between genetics and the likelihood of being unfaithful to a romantic partner.

Large research projects involving twins suggest a strong link between genetics and the likelihood of being unfaithful to a romantic partner.

Relationships

Why It's So Important to Feel Like Your Partner Knows You

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on March 6, 2024

Although we may believe that it is crucial to know a long-term partner well, new research reveals that it is more important to feel as if our partners know and understand us.

Although we may believe that it is crucial to know a long-term partner well, new research reveals that it is more important to feel as if our partners know and understand us.

Mating

Why Your Romantic Choices Can Surprise You

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on January 21, 2024

There are good reasons why our mate choices may not match our ideal preferences but we can still find ideal relationships.

There are good reasons why our mate choices may not match our ideal preferences but we can still find ideal relationships.

Sex

Does Gender Drive the First-Time Sexual Satisfaction Gap?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on December 8, 2023

New research suggests that women's less satisfying first experience with sex may be more strongly tied to their partner's gender than to their own.

New research suggests that women's less satisfying first experience with sex may be more strongly tied to their partner's gender than to their own.

Deception

Liars Are Less Attractive

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on November 10, 2023

New research details three studies showing evidence that people are rated as more attractive when they tell the truth rather than lie.

New research details three studies showing evidence that people are rated as more attractive when they tell the truth rather than lie.

Infidelity

Can a Relationship Possibly Thrive Again After Infidelity?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on November 4, 2023

Can a relationship thrive following infidelity? A new study finds there's hope for couples who are struggling to heal from infidelity.

Can a relationship thrive following infidelity? A new study finds there's hope for couples who are struggling to heal from infidelity.

Depression

Social Connections Mitigate Genetic Risk for Depression

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

Social connections strongly protected against repeated depressive episodes, even among those with a high genetic risk.

Social connections strongly protected against repeated depressive episodes, even among those with a high genetic risk.

Sleep

How Poor Sleep Quality Sabotages Relationships

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on September 16, 2023

New research shows that poor sleep quality is associated with increased feelings of anger and decreased perceptions of romantic relationship quality.

New research shows that poor sleep quality is associated with increased feelings of anger and decreased perceptions of romantic relationship quality.

Personality

Will a New Relationship Change Your Personality?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on August 29, 2023

New research explores which personality changes are reliably associated with different relationship events, from starting a new relationship to divorce.

New research explores which personality changes are reliably associated with different relationship events, from starting a new relationship to divorce.

Relationships

After the 12-Step Program, Avoid the Dangerous Step 13

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on July 22, 2023

While the 12-step program is recommended by Alcoholics Anonymous for recovery, the 13th step can be a dangerous and predatory practice.

While the 12-step program is recommended by Alcoholics Anonymous for recovery, the 13th step can be a dangerous and predatory practice.

Ethics and Morality

Is the World Really in Moral Decline?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on June 8, 2023

New research questions the common and historically consistent perception that global society is experiencing rapid moral decline.

New research questions the common and historically consistent perception that global society is experiencing rapid moral decline.

Relationships

When You Dislike Your Loved One's Romantic Partner

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

Why do we sometimes experience conflict with our loved ones over their romantic relationships?

Why do we sometimes experience conflict with our loved ones over their romantic relationships?

Relationships

Do Our Partner Preferences Change Over Time?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on April 12, 2023

New research shows that many of our mate preferences stay stable over time, but some key traits become more or less important to us.

New research shows that many of our mate preferences stay stable over time, but some key traits become more or less important to us.

Infidelity

Men’s Benevolent Behaviors Change With Suspected Infidelity

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on March 23, 2023

Men may initially employ more benevolent relationship strategies when their partners are more attractive. Hhowever, men’s tactics change when they suspect a partner’s infidelity.

Men may initially employ more benevolent relationship strategies when their partners are more attractive. Hhowever, men’s tactics change when they suspect a partner’s infidelity.

Sex

Is Women’s Desire for Sex Really That Different From Men's?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on March 1, 2023

The variability in men's and women's sexual desire is more consistent than previously assumed. Find out when women's sexual desire varies more than men's and when it doesn't.

The variability in men's and women's sexual desire is more consistent than previously assumed. Find out when women's sexual desire varies more than men's and when it doesn't.

Friends

What Makes a Great Conversation Just "Click"

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on January 24, 2023

One facet of conversations is a genuine signal of emotional connection among partners.

One facet of conversations is a genuine signal of emotional connection among partners.

Infidelity

Why Some Couples Are More Likely to Experience Infidelity

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on November 16, 2022

Does increased romantic conflict and relationship distress cause infidelity or follow infidelity?

Does increased romantic conflict and relationship distress cause infidelity or follow infidelity?

Infidelity

Can Personality Affect Our Ability to Detect Infidelity?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on November 8, 2022

Certain personality facets are associated with an increased or decreased tendency to detect a partner's infidelity.

Certain personality facets are associated with an increased or decreased tendency to detect a partner's infidelity.

Relationships

How Stressful Events Put New Relationships at Risk

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on October 1, 2022

External stressors can cause us to focus on a partner’s negative behaviors, leading to relationship turmoil and lasting damage to marital satisfaction.

External stressors can cause us to focus on a partner’s negative behaviors, leading to relationship turmoil and lasting damage to marital satisfaction.

Infidelity

Could Infidelity Be Contagious?

Madeleine A. Fugère Ph.D. on August 24, 2022

New research investigates whether exposure to others' infidelity make us more vulnerable to infidelity in our own relationships.

New research investigates whether exposure to others' infidelity make us more vulnerable to infidelity in our own relationships.