At First Blush

Infidelity

Your Partner Cheated: Now What?

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

We expect our partners to maintain exclusivity, but lapses are common. Should they be dealbreakers?

We expect our partners to maintain exclusivity, but lapses are common. Should they be dealbreakers?

Relationships

Breaking Up and Bouncing Back Bold

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on July 25, 2023

When you are in the throes of a painful breakup, it is nearly impossible to imagine that there can be substantial gains to the experience. But there can be.

When you are in the throes of a painful breakup, it is nearly impossible to imagine that there can be substantial gains to the experience. But there can be.

Infidelity

The 4 Main Reasons Why Partners Cheat

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on May 24, 2022

Prone to cheating? There are reasons behind that.

Prone to cheating? There are reasons behind that.

Sex

Why It's So Hard for Men to Say No to Sex

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on January 28, 2022

Why men can and should say no to sex now and then.

Why men can and should say no to sex now and then.

Beauty

Who Will Find You Attractive?

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on August 12, 2021

Wondering who will find you attractive? There's some good science behind that question.

Wondering who will find you attractive? There's some good science behind that question.

Jealousy

Jealousy: That Toxic Mix of Emotions

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on August 6, 2021

Is jealousy eating away at you and undermining your confidence in your relationship?

Is jealousy eating away at you and undermining your confidence in your relationship?

Relationships

What Love Is

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on April 18, 2021

Had some time on your hands lately to question the love in your life?

Had some time on your hands lately to question the love in your life?

Marriage

3 Ways That Faithful Partners Stay That Way

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on October 19, 2020

How to successfully maintain monogamy in your relationship given the inevitability of interacting with attractive others.

How to successfully maintain monogamy in your relationship given the inevitability of interacting with attractive others.

Relationships

Crushes: Hot for Someone You Cannot Have?

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on June 29, 2020

Worry that finding others attractive is a bad sign for your relationship? Fear not.

Worry that finding others attractive is a bad sign for your relationship? Fear not.

Sex

Sequestered Sex: The Coronavirus Outbreak and Your Sex Life

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

Time to get creative.

Time to get creative.

Orgasm

Orgasm Chasm: Men's and Women's Orgasm Experiences

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on September 24, 2019

How good does it get, anyway? And can it be better?

How good does it get, anyway? And can it be better?

Pornography

How on Earth Can Porn Be Good for Your Relationship?

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on September 18, 2019

Porn gets a bad rap, but some couples benefit from including it into their sex lives.

Porn gets a bad rap, but some couples benefit from including it into their sex lives.

Sex

What Real People Actually Think About Kissing

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on August 23, 2019

New research reveals what we really think about kissing.

New research reveals what we really think about kissing.

Sex

How Many Sexual Partners Is “Too Many” Sexual Partners?

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on September 11, 2018

We love to judge others for their sexual history—or lack thereof.

We love to judge others for their sexual history—or lack thereof.

Pornography

Getting Off on Porn: How Much Is Too Much?

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on March 23, 2018

How do you know when online porn use is becoming problematic?

How do you know when online porn use is becoming problematic?

Mating

Asexuality Is a Lifelong Lack of Sexual Attraction

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on January 20, 2018

If you have never experienced sexual attraction, like, ever, you may be asexual.

If you have never experienced sexual attraction, like, ever, you may be asexual.

Sex

The Many Subtle Ways Women Signal Romantic Interest

Lucia F. O'Sullivan Ph.D. on October 26, 2017

It's often women, not men, who initiate the first approach.

It's often women, not men, who initiate the first approach.