Social Instincts

Relationships

2 Reasons Why Lasting Love Starts With True Friendship

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 15, 2025

Why calling your partner your best friend is more meaningful than you'd think.

Why calling your partner your best friend is more meaningful than you'd think.

Relationships

2 Compliments That Are 'Terms and Conditions' in Disguise

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 14, 2025

Sometimes, praise serves to shape you, rather than to flatter you.

Sometimes, praise serves to shape you, rather than to flatter you.

Relationships

3 Common Texting Red Flags to Look Out For

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 11, 2025

Are you too invested in a relationship with someone who is emotionally unavailable? Repeating patterns in text messages are worth paying attention to.

Are you too invested in a relationship with someone who is emotionally unavailable? Repeating patterns in text messages are worth paying attention to.

Default Mode Network

3 Ways to Stop Sleepwalking Through Your Life

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 9, 2025

Stuck on autopilot? You can shake the dust off your routine.

Stuck on autopilot? You can shake the dust off your routine.

Humor

3 Ways Contempt Hides Within Humor in Relationships

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 3, 2025

Is your partner laughing with you, or laughing at you?

Is your partner laughing with you, or laughing at you?

Boundaries

3 Ways Boundaries Can Backfire

Mark Travers Ph.D. on July 2, 2025

Some well-intentioned boundaries can lead to disconnection and emotional walls.

Some well-intentioned boundaries can lead to disconnection and emotional walls.

Relationships

3 Reasons Pet Names Could Be Bad for Relationships

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 27, 2025

2. Affection can hide infantilization.

2. Affection can hide infantilization.

Relationships

2 Signs That You Could Be a Target for Gaslighting

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 26, 2025

For some, love is too precious to lose, regardless of how unhealthy it might be. This mindset makes them especially prone to be manipulated or gaslit by a partner.

For some, love is too precious to lose, regardless of how unhealthy it might be. This mindset makes them especially prone to be manipulated or gaslit by a partner.

Relationships

5 Ways We Confuse Being in Love With Being Seen

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 25, 2025

Validation isn't the same as love. Here are five ways this conflation can arise.

Validation isn't the same as love. Here are five ways this conflation can arise.

Relationships

3 Signs That a Partner Has Commitment Issues

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 20, 2025

1. They insist on your emotional availability but withhold theirs.

1. They insist on your emotional availability but withhold theirs.

Divorce

The 3 Issues That Most Often Lead to Divorce

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 19, 2025

1. Distance and loneliness.

1. Distance and loneliness.

Relationships

2 Relationship Deal-Breakers No One Should Ever Ignore

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 18, 2025

1. Chronic, casual dishonesty.

1. Chronic, casual dishonesty.

Motivation

2 Ways an "Ambition Gap" Can Ruin a Relationship

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 17, 2025

How differing levels of ambition can negatively affect relationship goals.

How differing levels of ambition can negatively affect relationship goals.

Relationships

4 Things the Happiest Couples Do Differently

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 16, 2025

3. Each makes sure the other experiences safety.

3. Each makes sure the other experiences safety.

Relationships

2 Common Red Flags That Emerge Early in Relationships

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 13, 2025

If either of these two early relationship red flags emerge, don't ignore them.

If either of these two early relationship red flags emerge, don't ignore them.

Sleep

2 Reasons Why You Need to Start 'Bedscaping'

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 12, 2025

'Bedscaping' is all the rage in 2025. Here's how it can help you recharge.

'Bedscaping' is all the rage in 2025. Here's how it can help you recharge.

Friends

2 Ways to Build Relationships That Last

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 11, 2025

Here's how altruism can help you sustain and nurture your friendships.

Here's how altruism can help you sustain and nurture your friendships.

Divorce

Why Divorce Rates Might Start Rising Soon

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 10, 2025

Research reveals the link between economic recessions and divorce rates.

Research reveals the link between economic recessions and divorce rates.

Relationships

2 Signs That an "Ick" Is Really Fear of Intimacy

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 9, 2025

1. The ick emerges at the same time as emotional closeness.

1. The ick emerges at the same time as emotional closeness.

Marriage

The Hidden Dangers of 'Role Blurring' in Marriage

Mark Travers Ph.D. on June 6, 2025

The lines between partners' various life roles have become dangerously thin. Here's what that means for their relationships and mental health.

The lines between partners' various life roles have become dangerously thin. Here's what that means for their relationships and mental health.