Why Bad Looks Good

The Psychology of Attraction

Wendy L. Patrick, Ph.D.

The Dark Side of Casual Dating

Dating has evolved from formal to casual. But when physical intimacy has been granted in the past, it might then be taken for granted in the future.

Friendly or Flirting? How to Interpret Modern Mixed Messages

Have you ever been asked to dinner by someone you are interested in — and wondered what it meant?

The Relational Benefits of Daydreaming About Your Partner

Do you miss your partner when you are apart? Research reveals how to re- establish a sense of connectedness without even touching your device.

The Best Way for Couples to Create Quality Time Together

We all know that great relationships require time and investment. What about sacrifice? Research reveals how people in happy couples consider their partner's preferences.

Want to Be Happy? Here Are a Few Paths to Pleasure

Money can buy niceties and necessities, but happiness is priceless. Consider how friends, family, and fitness might help improve your mood.

Clues That Your Partner Wants a More Serious Relationship

How do you know when a love interest wants to take your relationship to the next level? Both their actions and words send crucial signals.

What to Do When You Have a Crush on Your Boss

Workplace romance between superiors and subordinates is often not prohibited but discouraged. Yet some of these couples go from the office to the alter. How do they do it?

The Dark Side of Cyber Monitoring a Partner

Everyone knows someone who has used technology to keep tabs on a partner. Research shows such surveillance can be a risk factor in an abusive relationship—especially when drinking.

Eat to the Beat: How Music Impacts What You Order

Research reveals that what you hear may determine what you eat.

What to Do When You Have a Crush on a Coworker

Workplace romances are often characterized by stealth and scandal. Yet research reveals they can also lead to mutual satisfaction when they are successful. Here's how.

Check Your Baggage: How to Start Fresh in a New Romance

Have you ever wondered how many of your current relationship issues are based on experiences in past relationships?

How to Liven Up Leisure Time and Beat Boredom

Have you ever found yourself “killing time” instead of relishing spare time? If so, consider how to plan time off wisely.

Living on Video: When Can You Record Guests in Your Home?

In public, everyone knows cameras are everywhere. But when they are in your own home, and you have workers or guests inside, should you tell them?

Should You Use Surveillance to Monitor an Elderly Parent?

We love our aging parents and want to protect them when they begin to suffer physical or cognitive decline. But does that include clandestine surveillance? And who decides?

Virtual Victims: How Domestic Abusers Weaponize Technology

The dark side of technology reveals how what is designed for convenience facilitates control and abuse. Welcome to the world of psychological abuse-by-device.

How to Tell if Your Partner Still Has a Crush on You

Remember how your partner was head over heels for you when you first started dating? Do they still feel the same? Here is how to tell.

Can You Spot a Manipulator? When Clothing Is a Costume

Can you gauge someone's credibility just by looking? Consider how easily anyone can dress the part.

Why Younger Women Prefer to Date Older Men

Do you jump to conclusions when you see a young woman with a much older paramour? Here are some facts that might surprise you.

Why Men Like to Date Older Women

If you have ever thought, “She's too old for him,” consider: according to whom? When it comes to younger men dating older women, research reveals the truth behind typecasting.

Age-Gap Romance: Recipe for Stigma or Success?

In romantic relationships, age is more than just a number. Research has explored how age-gap dating is linked to relational success, stigma, and stereotypes.

When Should You Offer Unsolicited Advice?

Think others could benefit from your opinions? Or do you just like to share? How to ensure your well-intentioned wisdom is also well received

What to Say When You See a Pregnant Woman Drinking Alcohol

Would you tell a pregnant woman to put out her cigarette? Or put down her glass of wine? Why well-intentioned wisdom is not always well received.

Why We Love to Wear a Costume

What is the attraction of pretending to be someone or something else? Research reveals the rave of costume culture.

Comic-Con: Where it Is Cool to Be a Geek

Ever wonder how it became cool to be a geek? Comic-Con crowds demonstrate how many people share similar obsessions.

An Important Factor in Preventing Infidelity

Research reveals a simple feature that motivates partners to stay faithful.

Think Your Neighborhood Is Safe? What You Need to Know

Think you live in a safe neighborhood? Hopefully you're right. But invest in an alarm system—and an awareness of how criminals operate.

Shopping Mall Safety: What to Know Before You Go

This location draws customers and criminals in record numbers: the shopping mall. So if you love the sales but worry about safety, learn to protect your wallet as well as yourself

The Real Reason Some People Get Hooked on Slot Machines

Research on "dark flow" reveals that, for some people, the appeal of slots might have little to do with money.

Dieting? How Colors Impact Food Appeal and Appetite

Why do some meals look so much more appealing than others, when they include the exact same ingredients? Research reveals the appetite-stimulating control of color.

The Most Attractive Trait in Any Partner

There are some people you love to be around. They make you feel positive and happy. Research reveals that attraction to others is not all about the way they look.

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