Between You and Me

Relationships

If You Need a Relationship Boost, Try This Simple Exercise

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on June 30, 2023

Even the best relationships can use a boost sometimes. Try an experiment for the weekend—switch your focus to looking for the good in your relationship and see what happens.

Even the best relationships can use a boost sometimes. Try an experiment for the weekend—switch your focus to looking for the good in your relationship and see what happens.

Relationships

3 Behaviors That Form Relationships

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on June 29, 2023

Why do we click with some people and not others? Why do some social interactions turn into friendships and romantic relationships, and others do not?

Why do we click with some people and not others? Why do some social interactions turn into friendships and romantic relationships, and others do not?

Relationships

Why Some People Get Along With Others So Easily

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Are there certain personality traits that are better suited to helping people get along with others?

Are there certain personality traits that are better suited to helping people get along with others?

Attention

Are You Addicted to Distraction? Smartphones Make It Easy

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 31, 2023

Personal Perspective: Do you check your phone while watching a movie or walking down the street? If so, you are not alone. Our phones are designed to be distracting and addictive.

Personal Perspective: Do you check your phone while watching a movie or walking down the street? If so, you are not alone. Our phones are designed to be distracting and addictive.

Sleep

Music Could Help You Sleep Better

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 30, 2023

Music has the power to move us, but does it have the power to help us sleep better? According to recent research, it does.

Music has the power to move us, but does it have the power to help us sleep better? According to recent research, it does.

Gratitude

Why I Finally Started Applying Gratitude Research to My Life

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 29, 2023

After teaching my students about the benefits of gratitude, I give them an optional assignment: Write a letter of gratitude. How many do you think completed the assignment?

After teaching my students about the benefits of gratitude, I give them an optional assignment: Write a letter of gratitude. How many do you think completed the assignment?

Relationships

Will You Be Happier Single Or in a Relationship?

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

Around the world, people in relationships tend to be happier than those who are single. But is this always the case?

Around the world, people in relationships tend to be happier than those who are single. But is this always the case?

Fear

Do You Have a Fear of Being Single?

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on December 28, 2022

Despite rising levels of singlehood in America (about a third of adults are single), some people still fear being single, and this fear may shape their relationship choices.

Despite rising levels of singlehood in America (about a third of adults are single), some people still fear being single, and this fear may shape their relationship choices.

Relationships

3 Facts About Consensual Non-Monogamy

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on December 27, 2022

Polyamory, monogamish, open relationships, and consensually non-monogamous relationships are gaining attention from the public and researchers. So, what are they?

Polyamory, monogamish, open relationships, and consensually non-monogamous relationships are gaining attention from the public and researchers. So, what are they?

Relationships

What Is Love?

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

Love is all around us, but do we actually know what it is?

Love is all around us, but do we actually know what it is?

Friends

Think You Talk Too Much? New Research Suggests Otherwise

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on September 25, 2022

Afraid you monopolize the conversation when you meet someone new? Research suggests that we actually like people who talk more.

Afraid you monopolize the conversation when you meet someone new? Research suggests that we actually like people who talk more.

Friends

Why You Should Reach Out to Old Friends Now

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on September 24, 2022

Have an old friend you haven't talked to in a while? They might appreciate you reaching out more than you think.

Have an old friend you haven't talked to in a while? They might appreciate you reaching out more than you think.

Relationships

How to Show a Partner That You'll Be There for Them

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on June 30, 2022

Relationships are one of our top sources of support—but giving support is not always easy.

Relationships are one of our top sources of support—but giving support is not always easy.

Beauty

A New Way to Make Life More Meaningful

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on June 29, 2022

Feeling that your life is meaningful can be deeply satisfying, but it's not always easy to achieve. New research suggests we may need to stop and appreciate the moment.

Feeling that your life is meaningful can be deeply satisfying, but it's not always easy to achieve. New research suggests we may need to stop and appreciate the moment.

Relationships

3 Relationship Strategies to Try Right Now

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Could your relationship use a boost? I have been studying relationships for over 20 years and still find myself using these three strategies to help me reset.

Could your relationship use a boost? I have been studying relationships for over 20 years and still find myself using these three strategies to help me reset.

Relationships

In Relationships, the Little Moments Matter

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

Each day the people in your life make small "emotional bids" for your attention. How often do you brush them off, and what does that mean for your relationships?

Each day the people in your life make small "emotional bids" for your attention. How often do you brush them off, and what does that mean for your relationships?

Relationships

The Top 5 Predictors of Relationship Quality

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 30, 2022

What predicts the quality of romantic relationships? Researchers sought the answer by looking at data from over 11,000 couples.

What predicts the quality of romantic relationships? Researchers sought the answer by looking at data from over 11,000 couples.

Mating

The Role of Familiarity in Attraction

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on March 27, 2022

Why do we like some people and not others? One reason may be how familiar they are to us.

Why do we like some people and not others? One reason may be how familiar they are to us.

Psychology

What My Psychology Students Say They’ll Remember in 10 Years

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

I asked the students in my Psychology of Close Relationships class which teachings (if any) they would still remember in 10 years. Here is what they told me.

I asked the students in my Psychology of Close Relationships class which teachings (if any) they would still remember in 10 years. Here is what they told me.

Relationships

What You Can Do to Help Yourself Get More Effective Support

Amie M. Gordon, Ph.D. on December 29, 2021

Getting good support from others is not always easy, but research suggests we can take matters into our own hands.

Getting good support from others is not always easy, but research suggests we can take matters into our own hands.