The Attraction Doctor

Social Life

How to Change Social Anxiety Into Excitement

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on May 2, 2025

When people get anxious, especially in social situations, they may struggle to calm down and refocus. But research suggests that getting excited might be a better solution instead.

When people get anxious, especially in social situations, they may struggle to calm down and refocus. But research suggests that getting excited might be a better solution instead.

Relationships

3 Types of Trust Essential for Romantic Relationships

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on April 5, 2025

Learn how to build a sense of predictability, dependability, and faith with your partner—and take love and trust to the next level.

Learn how to build a sense of predictability, dependability, and faith with your partner—and take love and trust to the next level.

Mating

A Simple Explanation for the Mating and Dating Crisis

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on March 7, 2025

In modern societies, fewer people seem to be dating, getting married, or having kids. What is causing this trend? Early motivational psychology may have an answer.

In modern societies, fewer people seem to be dating, getting married, or having kids. What is causing this trend? Early motivational psychology may have an answer.

Relationships

4 Ways That Coping With Loss Can Bias Your Views About Love

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 3, 2024

Love hurts and coping with that pain can bias how we navigate later relationships in 4 different ways. Learn how you might be stuck in a state of coping—and how to move forward.

Love hurts and coping with that pain can bias how we navigate later relationships in 4 different ways. Learn how you might be stuck in a state of coping—and how to move forward.

Relationships

How to Persuade Your Romantic Partner to Commit

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on October 30, 2024

Research identifies five factors that can be used to evaluate your partner’s level of commitment—and help you influence them to commit even more too.

Research identifies five factors that can be used to evaluate your partner’s level of commitment—and help you influence them to commit even more too.

Persuasion

Persuasive Language to Build a Loving Connection

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 19, 2024

It isn’t always easy to create and maintain an intimate connection with a romantic partner. Using the right persuasive words can help.

It isn’t always easy to create and maintain an intimate connection with a romantic partner. Using the right persuasive words can help.

Sex

Behaviors that Signal Romantic or Sexual Interest

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on August 27, 2024

It isn’t always easy to tell whether someone wants to date you, love you, or go to bed with you. Research suggests behavioral cues to help tell the difference.

It isn’t always easy to tell whether someone wants to date you, love you, or go to bed with you. Research suggests behavioral cues to help tell the difference.

Relationships

Why People Manipulate and Play Games in Relationships

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 20, 2024

Why do people play games in relationships, especially when manipulation tends to turn out badly? How can you avoid games and build intimacy instead?

Why do people play games in relationships, especially when manipulation tends to turn out badly? How can you avoid games and build intimacy instead?

Flirting

3 Awkward but Common Flirting Mistakes

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on May 15, 2024

2. Relying too much on words.

2. Relying too much on words.

Mating

How Nice Guys (and Women) Can Find Love

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on March 11, 2024

People with warm and agreeable personalities can be overlooked at times—but they can win in romantic relationships. too. Learn how here.

People with warm and agreeable personalities can be overlooked at times—but they can win in romantic relationships. too. Learn how here.

Body Language

How to Tell Whether Someone Is Interested in You

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on February 12, 2024

Revealing verbal, nonverbal, and attentional cues.

Revealing verbal, nonverbal, and attentional cues.

Charisma

The Science of Charisma for Romance, Work, and Everyday Life

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

What exactly makes someone charismatic? Research provides an answer and shows how you can become more charismatic in love, life, and work.

What exactly makes someone charismatic? Research provides an answer and shows how you can become more charismatic in love, life, and work.

Relationships

When Is "Being Yourself" a Good Dating and Mating Strategy?

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on October 23, 2023

"Just be yourself" is often a cliché in dating advice. Nevertheless, research suggests it is successful under certain conditions. Learn how authenticity can lead to long-term love.

"Just be yourself" is often a cliché in dating advice. Nevertheless, research suggests it is successful under certain conditions. Learn how authenticity can lead to long-term love.

Mating

Cuffing Season Tips: A Guide for Holiday Romance

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Find love for the holidays (and perhaps beyond) with these persuasive tips for cuffing season success.

Find love for the holidays (and perhaps beyond) with these persuasive tips for cuffing season success.

Body Language

Body Language for Building Rapport and Connection

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on September 14, 2023

Classic research identified three factors necessary to build rapport, along with the nonverbal communication skills that create and maintain that connection.

Classic research identified three factors necessary to build rapport, along with the nonverbal communication skills that create and maintain that connection.

Relationships

4 Factors for Building Trust in Relationships

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on August 16, 2023

Most people want a trusting relationship but are often confused about how to build one. Now, research has simplified the process down to four important factors.

Most people want a trusting relationship but are often confused about how to build one. Now, research has simplified the process down to four important factors.

Motivation

Making Conversations Easier: Identifying Your Goals

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 29, 2023

Conversations can be difficult, leading to digressions and frustrations, instead of cooperation and satisfaction.

Conversations can be difficult, leading to digressions and frustrations, instead of cooperation and satisfaction.

Social Networking

The Benefits of Learning How to Talk to Strangers

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on June 27, 2023

Talking to strangers can be more beneficial than you might think. It can also be easier than you might imagine. Here's what the research has to say.

Talking to strangers can be more beneficial than you might think. It can also be easier than you might imagine. Here's what the research has to say.

Mating

How Our Romantic Feelings Change Over Time

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on March 30, 2023

Romantic feelings often change as a relationship grows. New research explains why—and how partners can use those changes to increase mutual attraction and compatibility over time.

Romantic feelings often change as a relationship grows. New research explains why—and how partners can use those changes to increase mutual attraction and compatibility over time.

Mating

How We Find the Right Partner

Jeremy Nicholson M.S.W., Ph.D. on March 23, 2023

Learn how mate evaluation theory can improve your success with dating and relationships.

Learn how mate evaluation theory can improve your success with dating and relationships.