Love, Lies and Conflict

Relationships

Denial Prevents Pain, but Also Prevents Change

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on July 30, 2020

Do you sometimes dodge responsibilities in your life, minimize problems, or avoid issues in relationships? Facing the truth is the first step to making positive changes.

Do you sometimes dodge responsibilities in your life, minimize problems, or avoid issues in relationships? Facing the truth is the first step to making positive changes.

Motivated Reasoning

You Will Never Win Your Political or Relationship Arguments

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on July 1, 2020

Are you convinced your views are correct? Research on the futility of arguing suggests that debating others and pushing your views rarely changes minds.

Are you convinced your views are correct? Research on the futility of arguing suggests that debating others and pushing your views rarely changes minds.

Relationships

Think You're Above Average? Don’t We All

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on June 20, 2020

How inflated egos and denial can lead to frustration in relationships.

How inflated egos and denial can lead to frustration in relationships.

Domestic Violence

Trapped at Home: Domestic Abuse During the Pandemic

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on April 10, 2020

As the virus spreads, risks for domestic violence increase. Victims have fewer options available, but it is still possible to seek safety.

As the virus spreads, risks for domestic violence increase. Victims have fewer options available, but it is still possible to seek safety.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Keeping Your Relationship Healthy During the Coronavirus

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on March 25, 2020

Is the global pandemic stressing you and straining your relationship? A few efforts to soothe yourself and each other can bring healing and harmony.

Is the global pandemic stressing you and straining your relationship? A few efforts to soothe yourself and each other can bring healing and harmony.

Relationships

Four Factors That Help Women Leave Abusive Relationships

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on February 21, 2020

Escaping violence isn’t easy, but research shows what helps survivors get free.

Escaping violence isn’t easy, but research shows what helps survivors get free.

Relationships

8 Reasons Women Stay in Abusive Relationships

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on January 8, 2020

Outsiders often ask why people stay with abusers, but many powerful forces make it difficult to leave.

Outsiders often ask why people stay with abusers, but many powerful forces make it difficult to leave.

Humor

You Aren’t Going to Change Your Spouse, So Deal With It

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on November 13, 2019

Is your relationship suffering because of conflict? Learn how to accept and work with differences rather than trying to change each other.

Is your relationship suffering because of conflict? Learn how to accept and work with differences rather than trying to change each other.

Marriage

How Depletion Is Draining Your Marriage

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on September 26, 2019

Are you worn out from life stresses? Your fatigue can cause unexpected damage to your relationships.

Are you worn out from life stresses? Your fatigue can cause unexpected damage to your relationships.

Forgiveness

How Abusers Use Denial to Excuse Themselves and Blame Others

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on September 12, 2019

Abusers use defense mechanisms like denial and minimization to excuse their actions. They not only blame their victims, but also claim they themselves are the ones mistreated.

Abusers use defense mechanisms like denial and minimization to excuse their actions. They not only blame their victims, but also claim they themselves are the ones mistreated.

Marriage

A Hangry Spouse Can Harm a Happy Marriage

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on June 15, 2019

Do you find yourself arguing before dinner? Research has shown that hungry spouses are more likely to treat each other badly.

Do you find yourself arguing before dinner? Research has shown that hungry spouses are more likely to treat each other badly.

Autism

The Battle to Define Autism

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on March 23, 2019

As studies continue to debunk the myths about vaccinations and autism, it is important to understand what autism is, how it has evolved, and why rates have risen in recent decades.

As studies continue to debunk the myths about vaccinations and autism, it is important to understand what autism is, how it has evolved, and why rates have risen in recent decades.

Sexual Abuse

How Denial and Victim Blaming Keep Sexual Assault Hidden

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on January 16, 2019

Michigan State president John Engler's attacks on the abuse victims of Larry Nassar is the latest example of denying and downplaying sexual assault.

Michigan State president John Engler's attacks on the abuse victims of Larry Nassar is the latest example of denying and downplaying sexual assault.

Deception

How Pathological Lying Can Ruin Your Relationships

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on October 31, 2018

Learning how pathological liars operate in relationships will help you avoid getting burned.

Learning how pathological liars operate in relationships will help you avoid getting burned.

Depression

How Depression Can Damage a Marriage

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on September 7, 2018

Depression isn’t just an individual struggle. When it hits a relationship, both suffer.

Depression isn’t just an individual struggle. When it hits a relationship, both suffer.

Relationships

Small Lies Often Lead to Big Lies in Relationships

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on July 13, 2018

Are white lies in relationships harmless? Research suggests they not only change the way we see ourselves, but can also lead to bigger betrayals.

Are white lies in relationships harmless? Research suggests they not only change the way we see ourselves, but can also lead to bigger betrayals.

Relationships

How Flatterers Can Manipulate and Control in Relationships

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on June 1, 2018

Is flattery in a relationship harmless fun or a dangerous deception? It depends on who is doing the flattering, and why they are doing it.

Is flattery in a relationship harmless fun or a dangerous deception? It depends on who is doing the flattering, and why they are doing it.

Friends

True Love Is Passion, Rooted in Friendship

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on February 14, 2018

Are you wondering how to create fulfilling love that is more than the rush of passion? Nourishing your friendship will strengthen your love, and your relationship.

Are you wondering how to create fulfilling love that is more than the rush of passion? Nourishing your friendship will strengthen your love, and your relationship.

Anger

The Most Common Cause of Useless Relationship Fights

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on January 31, 2018

Are you getting trapped in the same old frustrating fights? The problem is in your pattern. Learn three ways to step back, stop the escalation, and increase connection.

Are you getting trapped in the same old frustrating fights? The problem is in your pattern. Learn three ways to step back, stop the escalation, and increase connection.

Anger

Your Body Is at the Root of Your Rage

Jason Whiting Ph.D. on November 21, 2017

Is anger interfering with your intimate relationships? Your body may be hijacking your good intentions.

Is anger interfering with your intimate relationships? Your body may be hijacking your good intentions.