Explore the evolutionary roots of human behavior and learn about the psychological mechanisms of the Stone Age that govern our modern-day behavior. Evolutionary psychology explains the fundamentals of human behavior—those hard-wired tendencies that make us human before social conditioning has a chance to imprint itself upon us.
People naturally expect the highest levels of intimacy in their romantic relationships. There are different types of intimacies, the primary ones being physical and emotional. When we hear of affairs and cheating, the violation of physical intimacy immediately comes to mind. That is, the cheating partner had a physical relationship with someone other than their …
Having children is a social norm. Not only are you genetically programmed to reproduce, but society also pushes you to do it. People who can’t have kids because of infertility or situational reasons feel great distress because they wanted kids but couldn’t have them. They’re breaking a social norm, but not intentionally. Society doesn’t judge …
What is intentional dating? Intentional or conscious dating means dating with a goal and plan in mind. It’s being strategic about your dating efforts so that you can maximize your relational ROI. It’s about decreasing the odds of investing your time in the wrong people and increasing the odds of doing so in the right …
Both men and women can be toxic in relationships. While the toxic behaviors of men (toxic masculinity) are well-known and frequently discussed, it’s rare to hear people talk about the toxic behaviors of women (toxic femininity). There are a few reasons for this. First, many toxic female behaviors tend to be covert. Second, society and …
There are systems everywhere in nature. A system has parts that do their work to sustain the system and make it work. If one part of a system changes or breaks down, it can change or break down the whole system. A family can be seen as a system. Each family member is a ‘part’ …
For many, it’s hard to imagine that a mother can hate her own child. This is because mothers typically invest more in their offspring than fathers. For this reason, a mother’s love is considered ‘divine’ and ‘pure’. However, there are exceptions to this norm. Some mothers do hate their children. Some mothers treat their children …
Physical violence in any shape or form is generally unacceptable and illegal. I say ‘generally’ because, in some situations, it can be okay and even necessary. Self-defense, for example. Intimate partner violence, unfortunately, is common. And both genders are equally guilty. Studies show that men and women initiate physical violence in intimate relationships at equal …
Sibling relationships are a fascinating mix of love, care, rivalry, and jealousy. Siblings compete with each other for parental resources so they can ensure their survival. But they also have a desire to care for and help each other because they share 50% of their genes with one another. Consequently, the type of relationship you …
For relationships to work, they need to be equal or slightly unequal. Equal relationships are those where both parties gain equally. Slightly unequal relationships are those where one partner gains slightly more than the other. When a relationship is unequal, it rests on shaky grounds. It is unstable. After all, you can’t do business with …
Everywhere you look, people seem to be having trouble with their relationships. What’s going on?Why are relationships so full of problems and conflicts?Why are relationships so hard for people? There are challenges in relationships at every stage, from courtship to parenting. For a relationship to thrive, both partners must navigate these challenges successfully. This article …