The Psychology of Relationships

Relationships

How Worrying and Overthinking Can Ruin Your Relationship

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on March 7, 2023

Don't trust everything you feel. In relationships, it's easy to worry. But you may just be overthinking. Here are four strategies to fix this before it's too late.

Don't trust everything you feel. In relationships, it's easy to worry. But you may just be overthinking. Here are four strategies to fix this before it's too late.

Relationships

10 Secrets to Lasting Love

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

It's everyone's million-dollar relationship question: “What’s the secret to finding lasting love?” See what 10 relationship experts had to say.

It's everyone's million-dollar relationship question: “What’s the secret to finding lasting love?” See what 10 relationship experts had to say.

Relationships

5 Beliefs About Love That Kill Relationships

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on February 2, 2023

We want a magically romantic storybook relationship. But is that what's best for us? In reality, many of our most romantic beliefs are harmful and sabotage relationship success.

We want a magically romantic storybook relationship. But is that what's best for us? In reality, many of our most romantic beliefs are harmful and sabotage relationship success.

Relationships

5 Collaboration Mistakes to Avoid in a Relationship

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on January 24, 2023

Companies recognize the value of high-functioning relationships. Romantic relationships can benefit from that perspective.

Companies recognize the value of high-functioning relationships. Romantic relationships can benefit from that perspective.

Relationships

Adrift in Love: 3 Key Signs of a Failing Relationship

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on January 10, 2023

Your relationship is solidly mediocre. It's not ideal, but it lacks dealbreakers. You're not apart, but not fully together. You're adrift in love and in a failing relationship.

Your relationship is solidly mediocre. It's not ideal, but it lacks dealbreakers. You're not apart, but not fully together. You're adrift in love and in a failing relationship.

Relationships

How to Be Sure That You'll Make the Right Relationship Decisions

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

When it comes to relationship decisions, you need to get them right. To do that, your approach matters, and being more intentional helps.

When it comes to relationship decisions, you need to get them right. To do that, your approach matters, and being more intentional helps.

Mating

What Really Matters When Choosing Who to Date

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on November 8, 2022

What are you looking for in a relationship partner? Ironically, what you think you want often does not match up with the partners you actually prefer.

What are you looking for in a relationship partner? Ironically, what you think you want often does not match up with the partners you actually prefer.

Relationships

Do Couples Need to Share the Same "Love Language"?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on October 4, 2022

What's your love language? How about your partner's? Being aligned may help your relationship.

What's your love language? How about your partner's? Being aligned may help your relationship.

Stress

The Best Mindset for Minimizing Stress

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on September 6, 2022

Life is stressful and there's no way to avoid it. To cope, we need better ways to interpret the stress we inevitably experience. Developing a "synergistic mindset" helps.

Life is stressful and there's no way to avoid it. To cope, we need better ways to interpret the stress we inevitably experience. Developing a "synergistic mindset" helps.

Mating

Don't Date Up: Why to Stay In Your Own League

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on August 17, 2022

How to get exactly what you need, and love it.

How to get exactly what you need, and love it.

Flirting

Why Flirting Can Be So Risky

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on July 28, 2022

Flirting is harmless, especially if it's someone else flirting with you, right? Maybe not. In fact, it can undermine your current relationship.

Flirting is harmless, especially if it's someone else flirting with you, right? Maybe not. In fact, it can undermine your current relationship.

Sleep

The Significant Benefits of Sleeping Next to a Partner

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on July 20, 2022

Couples share a lot of things, often including a bed. But does this sleeping arrangement help or harm their ability to get a good night's rest? Research offers some clues.

Couples share a lot of things, often including a bed. But does this sleeping arrangement help or harm their ability to get a good night's rest? Research offers some clues.

Identity

A Hidden Key to a More Satisfying Relationship

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on July 6, 2022

Great relationships start with you, which is why greater self-understanding is a foundation for a strong connection.

Great relationships start with you, which is why greater self-understanding is a foundation for a strong connection.

Career

36 Questions Everyone Should Ask Themselves

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on June 1, 2022

We don't know ourselves nearly as well as we think. Yet knowing yourself has numerous benefits. These questions could facilitate greater self-discovery.

We don't know ourselves nearly as well as we think. Yet knowing yourself has numerous benefits. These questions could facilitate greater self-discovery.

Relationships

How Many Problems Does It Take to Kill a Relationship?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on May 3, 2022

No relationship is perfect, but how many problems would you put up with before you call it quits? Despite having dealbreakers, people may tolerate more than they think.

No relationship is perfect, but how many problems would you put up with before you call it quits? Despite having dealbreakers, people may tolerate more than they think.

Relationships

The Long Tail of COVID-19 for Our Romantic Relationships

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on April 19, 2022

Early in the pandemic, everyone predicted relationships were doomed. Yet, they thrived. Now, data show that relationships are returning to normal, which is bad news.

Early in the pandemic, everyone predicted relationships were doomed. Yet, they thrived. Now, data show that relationships are returning to normal, which is bad news.

Intelligence

Together or Separate? How Couples Should Handle Their Money

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on April 4, 2022

Couples face a lot of decisions, like whether to combine their money or keep it separate. Though there are logical reasons for both, research reveals which is actually better.

Couples face a lot of decisions, like whether to combine their money or keep it separate. Though there are logical reasons for both, research reveals which is actually better.

Relationships

A Breakup Doesn’t Have to Leave You Broken

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on March 29, 2022

Breakups can leave us feeling broken. But there's another way to look at it. Ending a relationship may leave you better off.

Breakups can leave us feeling broken. But there's another way to look at it. Ending a relationship may leave you better off.

Relationships

Is Your Relationship Making You a Better Person?

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on March 10, 2022

Is your relationship helping you grow? Does it make you a better person? It should. Take this quiz to find out how you're doing.

Is your relationship helping you grow? Does it make you a better person? It should. Take this quiz to find out how you're doing.

Relationships

12 Things People Get Wrong About Relationships

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on February 7, 2022

What mistaken beliefs about love are threatening your relationship? Top relationship experts share the most common myths and mistakes that couples make, and how to avoid them.

What mistaken beliefs about love are threatening your relationship? Top relationship experts share the most common myths and mistakes that couples make, and how to avoid them.