A Shared Existence

Relationships

The Psychological Impact of a Moment of Social Connection

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

What kinds of thoughts and emotions accompany meaningful interactions?

What kinds of thoughts and emotions accompany meaningful interactions?

Relationships

9 Research-Backed Ways to Connect With Others

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on May 19, 2023

Social connection is key to well-being—fortunately, there are many ways to experience moments of connection in everyday life

Social connection is key to well-being—fortunately, there are many ways to experience moments of connection in everyday life

Attention

6 Conversation Habits That Lead to More Meaningful Connection

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on April 2, 2023

Practicing these skills can help us cultivate moments of connection in any kind of relationship.

Practicing these skills can help us cultivate moments of connection in any kind of relationship.

Relationships

6 Conversation Habits to Break Today

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on February 13, 2023

Listening and responding in these ways can disrupt meaningful moments of connection.

Listening and responding in these ways can disrupt meaningful moments of connection.

Relationships

Can Asking Specific Questions Deepen Any Relationship?

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

What can we learn from psychology experiments that have participants ask each other specific questions to cultivate emotional closeness?

What can we learn from psychology experiments that have participants ask each other specific questions to cultivate emotional closeness?

Anger

Are Moments of Human Connection Always Joyful?

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on January 30, 2023

Exploring the kinds of feelings that arise in meaningful interactions.

Exploring the kinds of feelings that arise in meaningful interactions.

Relationships

Dating Profile Red Flag: “Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously”

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on January 25, 2023

Taking ourselves and our partners seriously is essential for developing closeness in relationships.

Taking ourselves and our partners seriously is essential for developing closeness in relationships.

Forgiveness

How to Practice Forgiveness

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on December 16, 2022

Forgiveness helps us overcome painful feelings of anger that linger after we've been harmed. This routine practice can help you exercise your ability to forgive.

Forgiveness helps us overcome painful feelings of anger that linger after we've been harmed. This routine practice can help you exercise your ability to forgive.

Stress

5 Ways Relationships Can Survive the Most Stressful Times

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on November 25, 2022

The end of the year can add additional stress to our lives. Here are five things couples can do to stay connected and cope with the strain as a team.

The end of the year can add additional stress to our lives. Here are five things couples can do to stay connected and cope with the strain as a team.

Relationships

Being Vulnerable Is Just One of Many Ways to Connect

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on November 20, 2022

Human connection can occur in many different ways. The capacity to be vulnerable is a useful tool in our social toolkit, but not always essential—or advisable.

Human connection can occur in many different ways. The capacity to be vulnerable is a useful tool in our social toolkit, but not always essential—or advisable.

Relationships

How This Common Misunderstanding Leads So Many Couples Into Conflict

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on September 20, 2022

Despite the best intentions, couples can struggle to support each other in ways that feel good to both partners. Here’s how to get on the same page.

Despite the best intentions, couples can struggle to support each other in ways that feel good to both partners. Here’s how to get on the same page.

Resilience

How Disaster Can Inspire Human Connection

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on September 13, 2022

Don't assume a catastrophe will unleash selfishness and roving mobs. Here's how most people respond to collective emergencies.

Don't assume a catastrophe will unleash selfishness and roving mobs. Here's how most people respond to collective emergencies.

Relationships

The Relationship Skill Every Couple Needs to Build

Dave Smallen Ph.D. on September 1, 2022

Studies show how a specific kind of experience between two people is crucial for satisfying relationships, and mental and physical health.

Studies show how a specific kind of experience between two people is crucial for satisfying relationships, and mental and physical health.