Love, Lies and Conflict

Deception

“It’s for Your Own Good": How People Justify Hurting Others

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on March 26, 2022

How can we hurt each other and feel good about it? One way is to create excuses that sound like we are doing the right thing.

How can we hurt each other and feel good about it? One way is to create excuses that sound like we are doing the right thing.

Relationships

Why Romantic Partners Need to Play Fair

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on February 26, 2022

Are you trying to improve satisfaction in your intimate relationship? Focusing on fairness may help.

Are you trying to improve satisfaction in your intimate relationship? Focusing on fairness may help.

Relationships

Why We Say We're Fine When We Aren't

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on January 21, 2022

Do you feel like you must have a happy face, even when you aren’t feeling it? Several cultural factors are working on you.

Do you feel like you must have a happy face, even when you aren’t feeling it? Several cultural factors are working on you.

Trust

The One Essential Ingredient of Any Happy Relationship

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on December 15, 2021

Of the many things that help build a successful relationship, establishing trust may be the most important.

Of the many things that help build a successful relationship, establishing trust may be the most important.

Relationships

Therapists Can Be Warm, Helpful and Wise, but Not Neutral

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on November 30, 2021

Some therapists aspire to be detached and neutral. This fails to capture the rich, moral conversations that are a part of every therapeutic relationship and every session.

Some therapists aspire to be detached and neutral. This fails to capture the rich, moral conversations that are a part of every therapeutic relationship and every session.

Relationships

The Spin on Social Media May Be Hurting Your Love Life

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on October 27, 2021

Do you wonder about the accuracy of social media and dating websites? Many posts contain fabrications that weaken trust and authenticity.

Do you wonder about the accuracy of social media and dating websites? Many posts contain fabrications that weaken trust and authenticity.

Relationships

Why Partners Lie to Each Other So Much

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on September 25, 2021

Most people want an honest partner. Being authentic takes commitment and may not come naturally, but honesty is essential in relationships.

Most people want an honest partner. Being authentic takes commitment and may not come naturally, but honesty is essential in relationships.

Autism

Why Do Some Have More Communication Problems Than Others?

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on August 31, 2021

Are you misreading cues in your relationships? Communication often happens outside of words, and reading subtle signals is crucial.

Are you misreading cues in your relationships? Communication often happens outside of words, and reading subtle signals is crucial.

Relationships

Love Is Scary, but That’s What Makes It Great

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on July 27, 2021

Do you find it scary to open yourself up to love? Sometimes taking the leap of faith is the only way to find deep connection.

Do you find it scary to open yourself up to love? Sometimes taking the leap of faith is the only way to find deep connection.

Relationships

Acceptance Is a Key to Happy Relationships

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

Do you find yourself getting annoyed at your significant other? Practicing acceptance can help ease feelings and improve the relationship.

Do you find yourself getting annoyed at your significant other? Practicing acceptance can help ease feelings and improve the relationship.

Relationships

Why Couples Often Start to Look and Sound Alike

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on May 26, 2021

Ever wonder why it seems like long-term lovers start to look and sound alike? Research shows how close relationships transform people as they interact.

Ever wonder why it seems like long-term lovers start to look and sound alike? Research shows how close relationships transform people as they interact.

Sexual Abuse

Why Is It So Hard to Report Sexual Assault?

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on April 23, 2021

Sexual assault is common and damaging, but often remains hidden. To understand why, researchers examined tweets from those who ran into barriers to reporting.

Sexual assault is common and damaging, but often remains hidden. To understand why, researchers examined tweets from those who ran into barriers to reporting.

Marriage

How Conflict Can Make Your Marriage Better

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on March 31, 2021

Are you discouraged about the conflicts in your intimate relationship? Learn how to accept and work with these differences to strengthen your connection.

Are you discouraged about the conflicts in your intimate relationship? Learn how to accept and work with these differences to strengthen your connection.

Memory

The Memory Problem that is Causing Your Arguments

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on February 27, 2021

Does it annoy you that your partner seems to change the details of your past arguments? They are likely feeling the same thing about you, and you are both right.

Does it annoy you that your partner seems to change the details of your past arguments? They are likely feeling the same thing about you, and you are both right.

Deception

How Our Brains Can Be Manipulated, Even in the Face of Facts

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on January 27, 2021

We like to assume we are reasonable and rational, but research has found that most people can change their minds on the spot, and not even realize it.

We like to assume we are reasonable and rational, but research has found that most people can change their minds on the spot, and not even realize it.

Relationships

What Do You Say When You Hear Your Lover’s Voice?

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on December 29, 2020

In relationships, partners make regular bids for each other’s attention. The difference between successful and unsuccessful couples is in the way each responds.

In relationships, partners make regular bids for each other’s attention. The difference between successful and unsuccessful couples is in the way each responds.

Career

How to Stand Up for Yourself With Toxic People

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on November 20, 2020

Do you feel taken advantage of or pressured to do things against your better judgment? Here are tips to help you set boundaries with difficult people.

Do you feel taken advantage of or pressured to do things against your better judgment? Here are tips to help you set boundaries with difficult people.

Friends

The Secret to Energizing Your Long-Term Relationship

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on October 30, 2020

Has your relationship gone flat with distractions and neglect? Research shows how having fun together can revive your feelings of friendship and love.

Has your relationship gone flat with distractions and neglect? Research shows how having fun together can revive your feelings of friendship and love.

Anger

How Anger Spreads Like a Virus

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on September 25, 2020

Aggressive words hurt, and our brains react to pain with more anger, which can lead to an escalating cycle of spreading rage.

Aggressive words hurt, and our brains react to pain with more anger, which can lead to an escalating cycle of spreading rage.

Sexual Abuse

Reporting Rape Is Scary; New Laws May Make It Harder

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on August 14, 2020

A new analysis describes the forces that silence assault survivors, including students affected by Title IX changes.

A new analysis describes the forces that silence assault survivors, including students affected by Title IX changes.