The Psychology of Relationships

Relationships

10 Dilemmas Every Couple Will Face

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on November 9, 2023

Every relationship has million-dollar questions like, Am I in love? and, Is it supposed to be this hard? Here's how to begin answering them in your own relationship.

Every relationship has million-dollar questions like, Am I in love? and, Is it supposed to be this hard? Here's how to begin answering them in your own relationship.

Relationships

7 Ways to Make a Relationship More Resilient

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on October 12, 2023

You need to be resilient to combat stresses, strains, and threats to your relationship. Here's how to boost resiliency and give your relationship a chance to thrive.

You need to be resilient to combat stresses, strains, and threats to your relationship. Here's how to boost resiliency and give your relationship a chance to thrive.

Relationships

How You Can Use Passion to Maintain Long-Lasting Love

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on September 19, 2023

No one wants their relationship to fizzle. Thankfully there are behaviors couples can implement to build passion and keep their relationship going strong.

No one wants their relationship to fizzle. Thankfully there are behaviors couples can implement to build passion and keep their relationship going strong.

Jealousy

How Jealousy Can Lead to Risky Behavior

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on August 9, 2023

What are you willing to risk for beauty? Your appearance not only attracts mates but helps you keep your current one. How does jealousy impact beauty decisions?

What are you willing to risk for beauty? Your appearance not only attracts mates but helps you keep your current one. How does jealousy impact beauty decisions?

Relationships

10 Relationship Lessons for My Teenage Daughter

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on July 12, 2023

If you were to give relationship advice to someone just starting to date, what would you say? Here's what a relationship scientist shared with his daughter for her 16th birthday.

If you were to give relationship advice to someone just starting to date, what would you say? Here's what a relationship scientist shared with his daughter for her 16th birthday.

Relationships

3 Simple Ways to Improve Any Relationship

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on June 8, 2023

Unlock the keys to thriving relationships with three strategies: Do more, demand less, and better appreciate what you have.

Unlock the keys to thriving relationships with three strategies: Do more, demand less, and better appreciate what you have.

Attention

Don't Leave Your Relationship to Fate

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on May 9, 2023

Finding a great relationship partner is only the start. Complacency can ruin even the best couples. Discover the simple solution to keep your love life alive and thriving.

Finding a great relationship partner is only the start. Complacency can ruin even the best couples. Discover the simple solution to keep your love life alive and thriving.

Friends

7 Easy-to-Miss Signs of Relationship Trouble

Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on April 6, 2023

There's nothing worse than being blindsided by a breakup (or divorce). But a relationship’s sudden demise is rarely as sudden as it seems.

There's nothing worse than being blindsided by a breakup (or divorce). But a relationship’s sudden demise is rarely as sudden as it seems.

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 It Could Be Best to Stay in Your Own League

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

When it comes to dating, you may not always get what you want. Research shows that's usually a good thing.

When it comes to dating, you may not always get what you want. Research shows that's usually a good thing.

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.