http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/relationships/ Research about healthy relationships. From friendships to love and marriage, articles explore human interactions. en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:02 EST Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/relationships/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213185826.htm If the one you love usually forgets Valentine's Day, but this year makes a romantic effort, you should give him credit for trying. A new study shows that the more you believe your partner is capable of change and perceive that he or she is trying to improve, the more secure and happy you will feel in your relationship. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213185826.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213133106.htm Blogs are more than a tool to publish on the web, they are also a way to build and maintain communities between people who share interests online. New research analyzes how weblog communities are formed and differ from one another. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:31:31 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120213133106.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120211095051.htm People may think that online dating is only for the young, but individuals over the age of 60 are the fastest growing demographic in online dating. However, they may be looking for different qualities in their relationships than their younger counterparts. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120211095051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135058.htm Young adults who easily engage in rewarding conversations with their partners are less likely to hold onto anger and stress and more likely to be satisfied with the relationship, according to new research. Researchers are also looking at factors that relate to positive dating relationships or problematic relationships. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:50:50 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208152250.htm When low-income cohabiting couples with children decide to no longer live together, that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of their romantic relationship, a new study suggests. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:22:22 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208152250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207095535.htm There’s a dark side to puppy love. Teen dating: it’s a subject that causes many parents to shudder and shy away, but parents can use Valentine’s Day to start important conversations with their teens or pre-teens. There are ways to make dating and relationships safer for them – not just now but throughout their lives. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:55:55 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120207095535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206092552.htm Online dating has not only shed its stigma, it has surpassed all forms of matchmaking in the United States other than meeting through friends, according to a new analysis of research on the burgeoning relationship industry. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206092552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203101153.htm Understanding the human mind is the key to social robotics, and researchers describe what we can expect from this field in the future. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120203101153.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202093836.htm Men put on their best behavior when attractive ladies are close by. When the scenario is reversed however, the behavior of women remains the same. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:38:38 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120202093836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181459.htm In theory, the social networking website Facebook could be great for people with low self-esteem. Sharing is important for improving friendships. But in practice, people with low self-esteem seem to behave counterproductively, bombarding their friends with negative tidbits about their lives and making themselves less likeable, according to a new study. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181453.htm What does being committed to your marriage really mean? A psychology professors answer this question in a new study based on their analysis of 172 married couples over the first 11 years of marriage. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181453.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120131092420.htm For those with few social advantages, college is a prime pathway to financial stability, but it also unexpectedly lowers their odds of ever marrying, according to a new study. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:24:24 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120131092420.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130131155.htm Divorce at a younger age hurts people's health more than divorce later in life, according to a new study. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130131155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130093921.htm Scientists have created a new algorithm to detect virtual communities, designed to match the needs of real-life social, biological or information networks detection better than with current attempts. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:39:39 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120130093921.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120127135938.htm Girls are not as good at playing football as boys, and they do not have a clue about cars. Instead they know better how to dance and do not get into mischief as often as boys. Prejudices like these are cultivated from early childhood onwards by almost everyone, a researcher asserts. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120127135938.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125091053.htm Researchers in Italy have used two high-speed computer algorithms to analyze the connections between a large sub-set of the more than half a billion users of the social networking site Facebook to reveal that the system has a very strong structure. The study shows that Facebook has a well-defined community structure that follows a statistical power law in which there are a huge number of people with few connections and a much smaller number with a large number of connections. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120125091053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124183755.htm When it comes to the well-being of married versus cohabitating Valentines, wedded couples experience few advantages in psychological well-being and social ties, according to a new study at Cornell University. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124183755.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124113053.htm Prejudice against people from groups different than their own is linked to aggression for men and fear for women, suggests new research. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124113053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124093142.htm In cultures that permit men to take multiple wives, the intra-sexual competition that occurs causes greater levels of crime, violence, poverty and gender inequality than in societies that institutionalize and practice monogamous marriage. That is a key finding of a new study that explores the global rise of monogamous marriage as a dominant cultural institution. The study suggests that institutionalized monogamous marriage is rapidly replacing polygamy because it has lower levels of inherent social problems. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:31:31 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124093142.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123114255.htm For most heart and stroke patients, it's probably safe to have sex. "For a patient who has sex with a familiar partner in a familiar setting, sexual activity generally is safe and no more strenuous than golf," a cardiologist said. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:42:42 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123114255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120121120112.htm According to a recent study by evolutionary psychologists, the tendency to fall asleep first after sex is associated with greater partner desire for bonding and affection. Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120121120112.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120121120109.htm Researchers examined how perceptions of a person’s sexual orientation are influenced by facial symmetry and proportions. Self-identified heterosexuals had facial features that were slightly more symmetrical than homosexuals. And the more likely raters perceived someone as heterosexual, the more symmetrical that person’s features were. Sat, 21 Jan 2012 12:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120121120109.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118165137.htm A nurse's tender loving care really does ease the pain of a medical procedure, and grandma's cookies really do taste better, if we perceive them to be made with love -- suggests newly published research. The findings have many real-world applications, including in medicine, relationships, parenting and business. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118165137.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118101335.htm Married couples experience few advantages for psychological well-being, health, or social ties compared to unmarried couples who live together, according to a new study. While both marriage and cohabitation provide benefits over being single, these reduce over time following a honeymoon period. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118101335.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120117145103.htm For centuries, gossip has been dismissed as salacious, idle chatter that can damage reputations and erode trust. But a new study suggests rumor-mongering can have positive outcomes such as helping us police bad behavior, prevent exploitation and lower stress. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120117145103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120116095821.htm Millions of online human interactions were assessed during a new study which included actions such as communication, founding and ending friendships, trading goods, sleeping, moving, however also starting hostilities, attacks and punishment. The game does not suggest any rules and everyone can live with their avatar (i.e. with their “game character” in the virtual world) as they choose. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120116095821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113211028.htm A new book, "Two Plus Two: Couples and Their Couple Friendships," presents findings based on more than 400 interviews in which couples share experiences over the lifespan that readers can emulate to improve their own marriages. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120113211028.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112112637.htm Research shows that English is strongly biased toward being positive. This new study complements another study showing that average global happiness, based on Twitter data, has been dropping for the past two years. Combined, the two studies show that short-term average happiness has dropped -- against the backdrop of the long-term fundamental positivity of the English language. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112112637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105145714.htm Stating that you don't care if you land a partner who is "hot" or "sexy" is relatively commonplace. But what people say they want and what they actually want are often two very different things when it comes to romantic attraction. A new methodology that measures people's implicit, split-second responses gets around this problem. New research measures whether people's implicit preferences actually predict how much you like the hotties. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:57:57 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105145714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105142811.htm Today, one-in-five Americans finds his or her spouse via online dating websites, but according to researchers, marriage isn’t the only measure of success among people looking for love in cyberspace. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120105142811.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104115104.htm Blogging may have psychological benefits for teens suffering from social anxiety, improving their self-esteem and helping them relate better to their friends, according to new research. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:51:51 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120104115104.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103134907.htm A new study of sexually active older women has found that sexual satisfaction in women increases with age and those not engaging in sex are satisfied with their sex lives. A majority of study participants report frequent arousal and orgasm that continue into old age, despite low sexual desire. Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:49:49 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120103134907.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223114119.htm That cartoon scary face -- wide eyes, ready to run -- may have helped our primate ancestors survive in a dangerous wild, according to a new article. The authors present a way that fear and other facial expressions might have evolved and then come to signal a person's feelings to the people around him. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223114119.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140627.htm Where does prejudice come from? Not from ideology, say the authors of a new article. Instead, prejudice stems from a deeper psychological need, associated with a particular way of thinking. People who aren't comfortable with ambiguity and want to make quick and firm decisions are also prone to making generalizations about others. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140627.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220205212.htm Humans have evolved to become the most flexible of the primates and being able to live in lots of different social settings sets us apart from non-human primates, suggests new research. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:52:52 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220205212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111218150305.htm With the share of married adults at an all-time low in the United States, new research by demographers unveils clues why couples don't get married -- they fear divorce. Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111218150305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215113512.htm A new study finds declines in two kinds of youth Internet sexual encounters of great concern to parents: Unwanted sexual solicitations and unwanted exposure to pornography. The researchers suspect that greater public awareness may have been, in part, what has helped. Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:35:35 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111215113512.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214125904.htm The ability to trust, love, and resolve conflict with loved ones starts in childhood -- way earlier than you may think. New research suggests that your relationship with your mother during the first 12 to 18 months of life predict your behavior in romantic relationships 20 years later. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111214125904.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213132001.htm Does she or doesn't she ... ? Sexual cues are ambiguous, and confounding. We -- especially men -- often read them wrong. A new study hypothesizes that the men who get it wrong might be the ones that evolution has favored. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:20:20 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213132001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213120833.htm Life without cigarettes is not all doom and gloom. In fact, successful quitters are more satisfied with their lives and feel healthier, both one year and three years afterwards, than those who continue to smoke. That's according to new research by Dr. Megan Piper, from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the US, and her team. Their work looks at whether quitting smoking can improve psychological well-being. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:08:08 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213120833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212092649.htm Yawning is contagious, as everybody knows. A new study shows that “yawn transmission” is more frequent, and faster, between people sharing an emotional bond: close friends, kin, and mates. Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111212092649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209123212.htm New research has found an intranasal form of oxytocin can improve self-perception and make introverted individuals feel like socialites. Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:32:32 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111209123212.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206151528.htm Power -- defined as the ability to influence others -- makes people think differently. For North Americans, a feeling of power leads to thinking in a focused and analytical way, which may be beneficial when pursuing personal goals. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:15:15 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206151528.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205140529.htm For many, an important marker of adulthood is forming a family, whether it's having a child, getting married or cohabiting with a romantic partner. Researchers say a majority of young adults have formed a family by age 25. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:05:05 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205140529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201094819.htm Anthropologists report that chimpanzees in Senegal frequently share food and hunting tools with other chimps. This is thought to be the first study to document non-meat sharing behavior among chimpanzees. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:48:48 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201094819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201094758.htm Children's reasoning about language and race can take unexpected turns, according to researchers, who found that for younger white children in particular, language can loom larger than race in defining a person's identity. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201094758.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100220.htm Distrust is the central motivating factor behind why religious people dislike atheists, according to a new study led by psychologists. While reasons behind antagonism towards atheists have not been fully explored, the study is among the first explorations of the social psychological processes underlying anti-atheist sentiments. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:02:02 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123538.htm High-quality friendships in kindergarten may mean that boys will have fewer behavior problems and better social skills in first and third grades, according to an expert in human development. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:35:35 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123538.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128132704.htm Men may think about sex more often than women do, but a new study suggests that men also think about other biological needs, such as eating and sleep, more frequently than women do, as well. And the research discredits the persistent stereotype that men think about sex every seven seconds, which would amount to more than 8,000 thoughts about sex in 16 waking hours. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128132704.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128120146.htm Thoughts about killing oneself and engaging in suicidal behavior may begin much younger than previously thought. While about one of nine youths attempt suicide by the time they graduate from high school, new findings reveal that a significant proportion make their first suicide attempt in elementary or middle school. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128120146.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128115258.htm Results of extensive study reveals gender divide in use of social media -- and how celebrities exploit social media to connect with their fans. Young women are leaders of change in styles of storytelling in the new digital economy, a social media expert has found. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:52:52 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111128115258.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111122113002.htm Girls may be sugar and spice, but "everything nice" takes a back seat when friends let them down. Researchers found that pre-teen girls may not be any better at friendships than boys, despite previous research suggesting otherwise. The findings suggest that when more serious violations of a friendship occur, girls struggle just as much and, in some ways, even more than boys. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111122113002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116174735.htm Playful behavior is widespread in mammals, and has important developmental consequences. A recent study of young chimpanzees shows that these animals play and develop much the same way as human children. The work can therefore also shed light on the role of human play behavior. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116174735.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116124726.htm Aging and health issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender baby boomers have been largely ignored by services, policies and research. These seniors face higher rates of disability, physical and mental distress and a lack of access to services, according to the first study on aging and health in these communities. Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:47:47 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111116124726.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115103510.htm There's definitely something to be said for first impressions. New research suggests it can take just 20 seconds to detect whether a stranger is genetically inclined to being trustworthy, kind or compassionate. The findings reinforce that healthy humans are wired to recognize strangers who may help them out in a tough situation. They also pave the way for genetic therapies for people who are not innately sympathetic, researchers said. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:35:35 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115103510.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111109152213.htm Providing support to a loved one offers benefits, to the giver, not just the recipient, a new neuroimaging study reveals. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:22:22 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111109152213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101095302.htm Study of adults in tight-knit South Dakota community shows lonely feelings associated with compromised sleep -- that is, the stronger the loneliness, the more disruptions during the night, with potentially negative consequences on wellness. Results agree with 2002 study of college students, indicating that individuals young and old, in big towns and small, need to feel secure in their social setting to get a healthy night's rest. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:53:53 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111101095302.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027112517.htm Being hard up socially and financially during adolescence and early adulthood takes its toll on the body, and leads to physiological wear and tear in middle aged men and women, irrespective of how tough things have been in the interim. According to researchers, experience of social and material stressors around the time of transition into adulthood is linked to a rise in disease risk factors in middle age, including higher blood pressure, body weight and cholesterol. Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027112517.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026094201.htm Why do we think that men are funnier than women? And why are men particularly responsive to other men's humor? Women, however, find men funnier because they mistakenly attribute funny things to men. A new article explores the reasons behind the stereotype that men are funnier than women and find scientific proof to support it. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026094201.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084632.htm After a mastectomy, women who undergo breast reconstruction with tissue from their own abdomen experience significant gains in psychological, social, and sexual well-being as soon as three weeks after surgery, according to a new study. Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:46:46 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084632.htm