Close Encounters

Mating

Do We Really Know What We Want in a Partner?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on November 26, 2022

Research on dating explores factors that determine who we pair up with and how much of a role our preferences play.

Research on dating explores factors that determine who we pair up with and how much of a role our preferences play.

Relationships

What Are Today's Singles Seeking?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on November 15, 2022

A new survey of singles shows some things have changed, and other things haven't, since the start of the pandemic.

A new survey of singles shows some things have changed, and other things haven't, since the start of the pandemic.

Bias

How Well Do We Really Know Our Partners?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

We tend to view our partners through rose-colored glasses. But that doesn't mean love is totally blind. Research shows how we can simultaneously be both biased and accurate.

We tend to view our partners through rose-colored glasses. But that doesn't mean love is totally blind. Research shows how we can simultaneously be both biased and accurate.

Media

How Do Digital and In-Person Interactions Affect Wellbeing?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on September 6, 2022

Surveys examining wellbeing and social interactions shed light on the role of digital socializing.

Surveys examining wellbeing and social interactions shed light on the role of digital socializing.

Fear

Does Silencing Notifications Curb Compulsive Phone Use?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on July 26, 2022

New research investigates how turning off smartphone notifications may affect phone-checking frequency.

New research investigates how turning off smartphone notifications may affect phone-checking frequency.

Relationships

When, and Why, Looking at Your Phone Harms Your Relationship

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on June 9, 2022

The way phubbing is perceived is more important than whether or not it occurred.

The way phubbing is perceived is more important than whether or not it occurred.

Bias

Why Do We Let Our Phones Interfere When We Socialize?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on May 17, 2022

Even though most people dislike it when others "phub" (phone-snub) them, we keep doing it anyway. New research examines why.

Even though most people dislike it when others "phub" (phone-snub) them, we keep doing it anyway. New research examines why.

Conformity

The Pandemic's Long-Term Effects on Attitudes

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on April 13, 2022

The pandemic has led many people to shift their attitudes. But it's young people whose views will be indelibly marked.

The pandemic has led many people to shift their attitudes. But it's young people whose views will be indelibly marked.

Narcissism

What Narcissists Really Think About Their Partners

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on March 13, 2022

Narcissists seek trophy partners, but do they view themselves as the better trophy?

Narcissists seek trophy partners, but do they view themselves as the better trophy?

Relationships

Could Valentine’s Day Be Bad for Some Relationships?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

Valentine’s Day can increase feelings of love, but it also has the potential to make problems worse for couples who are already in trouble.

Valentine’s Day can increase feelings of love, but it also has the potential to make problems worse for couples who are already in trouble.

Relationships

Are Dating Apps Better at Finding Love or Sex?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on January 28, 2022

New research examines whether the search for love or lust leads people to meet up with their dating app matches.

New research examines whether the search for love or lust leads people to meet up with their dating app matches.

Anxiety

Can How You Look on Screen Contribute to Zoom Fatigue?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on December 20, 2021

Many factors contribute to Zoom fatigue. New research suggests that our level of self-consciousness and satisfaction with our appearance play a role.

Many factors contribute to Zoom fatigue. New research suggests that our level of self-consciousness and satisfaction with our appearance play a role.

Relationships

What Do Singles Want in the Second Year of the Pandemic?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on November 9, 2021

A new survey finds that singles are seeking more commitment and a slower progression to physical intimacy.

A new survey finds that singles are seeking more commitment and a slower progression to physical intimacy.

Narcissism

How Do Narcissists React to Breakups?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on October 23, 2021

A new study explored how different facets of narcissism can explain how narcissists react to romantic breakups.

A new study explored how different facets of narcissism can explain how narcissists react to romantic breakups.

Deception

The Necessity of "Butler Lies" in a Hyper-Connected World

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on September 27, 2021

Thanks to our smartphones, we're constantly connected to each other. But this may create pressure to engage in a new, subtle, type of dishonesty: The Butler Lie.

Thanks to our smartphones, we're constantly connected to each other. But this may create pressure to engage in a new, subtle, type of dishonesty: The Butler Lie.

Friends

The Benefits of Being Friends Before Partners

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on September 6, 2021

Friendships that turn into romances are more common than many think—and have some distinct advantages.

Friendships that turn into romances are more common than many think—and have some distinct advantages.

Relationships

Moving a Lockdown Relationship to Real Life

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on July 14, 2021

Despite social isolation, online dating surged during the pandemic. Now many couples must readjust their relationships to the restored rest of their lives.

Despite social isolation, online dating surged during the pandemic. Now many couples must readjust their relationships to the restored rest of their lives.

Mating

Why Online Dating Works for Some and Not Others

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on June 22, 2021

People who tend to focus on what they can gain from relationships tend to more successful than those who focus on avoiding the negatives.

People who tend to focus on what they can gain from relationships tend to more successful than those who focus on avoiding the negatives.

Ghosting

Breaking up the Easy Way: Who Ghosts and Who Gets Ghosted?

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on May 31, 2021

New research examines the qualities that make people more likely to be victims or perpetrators of the breakup technique known as “ghosting.”

New research examines the qualities that make people more likely to be victims or perpetrators of the breakup technique known as “ghosting.”

Anxiety

COVID-19 Anxiety and Shifting Relationship Standards

Gwendolyn Seidman Ph.D. on May 9, 2021

New research explores how anxiety about the pandemic changed people’s attitudes about what they value in a long-term romantic partner.

New research explores how anxiety about the pandemic changed people’s attitudes about what they value in a long-term romantic partner.