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Living Single

The truth about singles in our society.

Relationships

Single, Black, and Prospering: Singlehood’s Trailblazers

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on January 23, 2023

Staying single and living alone can be a route to the Black middle class and beyond. How the “Love Jones Cohort” is showing how to lead a meaningful and fulfilling single life.

Staying single and living alone can be a route to the Black middle class and beyond. How the “Love Jones Cohort” is showing how to lead a meaningful and fulfilling single life.

Relationships

Our Growing Love for Our Pets

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on January 4, 2023

Pets have a special place in the lives of today’s Americans, but the stereotypes about who dotes on their pets do not always match up with reality.

Pets have a special place in the lives of today’s Americans, but the stereotypes about who dotes on their pets do not always match up with reality.

Relationships

The Thrill of Going to Holiday Parties Alone

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on December 23, 2022

Research shows that fears about appearing alone in public are often unfounded. Showing up alone at an event geared toward couples may not be as rare or as daunting as we think.

Research shows that fears about appearing alone in public are often unfounded. Showing up alone at an event geared toward couples may not be as rare or as daunting as we think.

Loneliness

The Unsung Joy of Living Alone

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on December 10, 2022

Living alone is a whole different experience for people who love it than for those who want to live with other people. What’s healthy is getting to live the way you want to live.

Living alone is a whole different experience for people who love it than for those who want to live with other people. What’s healthy is getting to live the way you want to live.

Grief

The Profound Significance of a Close Friend's Death

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on December 3, 2022

People who experience the death of a close friend struggle with health, mental health, vitality, and social functioning, sometimes for years. Women suffer more than men.

People who experience the death of a close friend struggle with health, mental health, vitality, and social functioning, sometimes for years. Women suffer more than men.

Relationships

40 Years of Romantic Comedies, 1 Big Change

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on November 26, 2022

Over the past 40 years, romcoms have become more caricatured, giving life beyond romantic relationships less and less screen time. That’s not how real life has been unfolding.

Over the past 40 years, romcoms have become more caricatured, giving life beyond romantic relationships less and less screen time. That’s not how real life has been unfolding.

Jealousy

Are Couples Jealous of Single People?

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on November 14, 2022

When coupled people disparage single people, it can be motivated by their own insecurities. They feel threatened. More positive dynamics are even more interesting.

When coupled people disparage single people, it can be motivated by their own insecurities. They feel threatened. More positive dynamics are even more interesting.

Positive Psychology

Newly Revealed Secrets to Flourishing

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on October 30, 2022

For people facing adversity and injustice, flourishing cannot be achieved by psychological exercises such as practicing gratitude. More fundamental societal changes are needed.

For people facing adversity and injustice, flourishing cannot be achieved by psychological exercises such as practicing gratitude. More fundamental societal changes are needed.

Marriage

Do People Think Less Deeply When They Size Up Single People?

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on October 20, 2022

People reason in less sophisticated ways when they think about fairness to single people. We do not challenge prejudices against single people the way we challenge other prejudices

People reason in less sophisticated ways when they think about fairness to single people. We do not challenge prejudices against single people the way we challenge other prejudices

Loneliness

The One True Love That Protects You From Loneliness

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on October 15, 2022

Loving the time they have to themselves for the single at heart protects them from loneliness. It is a key to flourishing during a pandemic and in later life.

Loving the time they have to themselves for the single at heart protects them from loneliness. It is a key to flourishing during a pandemic and in later life.

Social Life

Where in the World Do People Live Alone?

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on October 5, 2022

The number of people living alone has risen dramatically in many places around the world. In some countries, though, it is still rare.

The number of people living alone has risen dramatically in many places around the world. In some countries, though, it is still rare.

Career

The Things We Do Grudgingly

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on October 1, 2022

What creates that feeling of grudgingness? And why do we do things we don’t really want to do?

What creates that feeling of grudgingness? And why do we do things we don’t really want to do?

Career

Firms That Give Huge Bonuses to Employees Who Marry

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on September 17, 2022

Married employees often get total compensation packages worth far more than what singles get. The issue isn’t just money, it is about who is valued and respected and who is not.

Married employees often get total compensation packages worth far more than what singles get. The issue isn’t just money, it is about who is valued and respected and who is not.

Relationships

Emotional Inequality in Single Life

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on September 6, 2022

Single people are systematically disadvantaged in ways that can leave them emotionally vulnerable. But there are also ways that single people are especially likely to flourish.

Single people are systematically disadvantaged in ways that can leave them emotionally vulnerable. But there are also ways that single people are especially likely to flourish.

Relationships

Single People, What Are You Waiting For?

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on August 22, 2022

Are single people just waiting for their “real” (coupled) life to begin? Waiting is passive and powerless. That’s not what it is like for people who embrace their single lives.

Are single people just waiting for their “real” (coupled) life to begin? Waiting is passive and powerless. That’s not what it is like for people who embrace their single lives.

Aging

Can a Love of Being Single Add Years to Your Life?

Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

People who have positive beliefs about aging live 7.5 years longer than those with negative beliefs. Is the same true for having positive beliefs about being single?

People who have positive beliefs about aging live 7.5 years longer than those with negative beliefs. Is the same true for having positive beliefs about being single?