Why Bad Looks Good

Aging

How Others View Your Attempts to Look Younger

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on April 13, 2024

Want to look younger? Why does the answer matter to you, and how does it impact how others see you?

Sexual Abuse

Can You Recognize a Rapist? Stranger Safety Strategies

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 30, 2024

Rapists don’t just hang out in dark alleys. They usually operate in the light. Learn how to recognize the danger that lies below the disarming demeanor.

Relationships

Leaving an Angry Partner: Strategies for Safe Separation

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 29, 2024

Within volatile relationships, breaking up is hard to do. Here are some strategies for safe separation.

Parenting

How to Break Bad News to Children About a Parent’s Health

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

Difficult subjects require delicate discussion with children. But with proactive pre-planning, parents can soften the blow.

Sexual Abuse

Reproductive Abuse: a Modern Form of Relational Coercion

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 23, 2024

Intentional interference with reproductive autonomy is more relevant today than ever. Research describes why it is so important to recognize.

Relationships

This Is Who's Most Likely to See a Breakup Coming

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 12, 2024

Are you worried your relationship might be winding down? The accuracy of your perception might depend on your feelings.

Law and Crime

Protect Your Community by Boosting Bystander Reporting

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 3, 2024

Despite being continually reminded that if we “see something, say something,” most people don’t. Research reveals how to boost benevolent bystander behavior.

Happiness

Self, Selflessness, and the Get-Happy-Quick Scheme

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on March 2, 2024

Wouldn’t it be great to find a get-happy-quick scheme? It might be easier than you think.

Self-Control

How to Spot the Link Between Impulsivity and Infidelity

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 29, 2024

Does infidelity “just happen” or is it a choice? Research reveals the link between impulsivity and relational behavior.

Mating

Do You Really Mean That? Detecting False Affection Online

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 18, 2024

Beware of bittersweet nothings: How to detect deception on a dating profile.

Singlehood

Why Some Men Choose to Stay Unmarried

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 15, 2024

Why don’t some men get married? Their answers may surprise you.

Singlehood

Major Predictors of Long-Term Involuntary Singlehood

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 14, 2024

Still single but searching? Research may explain why—as well as how to enjoy the journey.

Mating

How Conversational Choices Boost Attraction, or Kill It

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 13, 2024

When you meet someone new, conversation topics matter. Here is what to talk about—and what to avoid.

Loneliness

How to Enjoy the Silence: Adjusting to the Empty Nest

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on February 1, 2024

When children finally leave home, some parents feel lonely. Yet research reveals potential relational and health benefits of living in an empty nest.

Attachment

Why You Shouldn’t Go to Bed Angry With Your Partner

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on January 7, 2024

How to stop a nighttime argument from negatively coloring your mood the next day.

Relationships

How Couples Discover Love Later in Life

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on January 6, 2024

Think you are too old to fall in love? Think again. There are benefits and blessings of love later in life.

Relationships

Is There an Emotional Price Tag for Loving a Wealthy Partner?

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on January 4, 2024

Do you love a partner who loves money? Understanding how to overcome the challenge is priceless.

Addiction

Loving a Partner Struggling With Substance Abuse

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on December 30, 2023

Struggling with substance abuse is challenging, yet easier with partner support.

Relationships

How Couples Can Stay in Their Honeymoon Phase

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on December 29, 2023

The honeymoon is over. Now what? Fortunately, according to research, the romance does not have to end.

Relationships

The Benefits of Matching Your Partner's Love Language

Wendy L. Patrick, J.D., Ph.D. on December 27, 2023

To rekindle romance and reignite the spark in your relationship, research can help. The power of matching the way your partner shows love is a key.