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eHarmony Labs Blog
112 posts
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- February 8, 2012
- 06:55 PM
- 223 views
How does your first name influence your online dating success? The curse of Sheldon.
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
New research points out that having a negative first name hurts your chances in the world of online dating (and beyond).... Read more »
Gebauer, J., Leary, M., & Neberich, W. (2011) Unfortunate First Names: Effects of Name-Based Relational Devaluation and Interpersonal Neglect. Social Psychological and Personality Science. DOI: 10.1177/1948550611431644
- February 2, 2012
- 08:46 PM
- 227 views
What your friends and family think about your relationship does matter
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
When you enter a relationship, you are at the same time taking on their entire social network. How much of a role do social networks play in your relationships? Read here to find out.... Read more »
SPRECHER, S., & FELMLEE, D. (2000) Romantic partners'perceptions of social network attributes with the passage of time and relationship transitions. Personal Relationships, 7(4), 325-340. DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2000.tb00020.x
- January 31, 2012
- 07:09 PM
- 284 views
Pornography good for your relationship?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Racy books, erotic videos – is it possible that sexually explicit media can benefit a relationship? Find out how.... Read more »
Bridges, A., & Morokoff, P. (2011) Sexual media use and relational satisfaction in heterosexual couples. Personal Relationships, 18(4), 562-585. DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2010.01328.x
- January 17, 2012
- 06:58 PM
- 244 views
Feeling unloved? Take out your phone and dial 5683.
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Do you ever feel a sudden emotion (happy, sad, angry, love) without knowing where it came from? The answer could be staring you right in the ear. Read on to learn how your cell phone may be toying with your emotions.... Read more »
Topolinski, S. (2011) I 5683 You: Dialing Phone Numbers on Cell Phones Activates Key-Concordant Concepts. Psychological Science, 22(3), 355-360. DOI: 10.1177/0956797610397668
- January 10, 2012
- 07:56 PM
- 209 views
Dating Advice: Valentine’s Day- more harm than good for couples?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Should new relationships be avoided or encouraged around Valentine’s Day? While the holiday provides an opportunity for couples to express their intimate feelings for one another the very nature of the holiday might overwhelm fledgling relationships, or break those that are teetering.... Read more »
Morse, K., & Neuberg, S. (2004) How do holidays influence relationship processes and outcomes? Examining the instigating and catalytic effects of Valentine's Day. Personal Relationships, 11(4), 509-527. DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2004.00095.x
- January 4, 2012
- 05:16 PM
- 215 views
Does online dating level the playing field on attractiveness?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Online dating should theoretically give individuals an even chance to appear attractive, since the text in their profile could help offset aesthetic deficiencies. Online profiles with attractive photos are often rated overall as more attractive, but what of the text?... Read more »
Brand, R., Bonatsos, A., D’Orazio, R., & DeShong, H. (2012) What is beautiful is good, even online: Correlations between photo attractiveness and text attractiveness in men’s online dating profiles. Computers in Human Behavior, 28(1), 166-170. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2011.08.023
- January 4, 2012
- 12:17 PM
- 395 views
Promises, promises – Why breaking promises isn’t always a bad sign
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
If he loved me he would stop smoking; if she loved me she wouldn’t talk to other guys. When people make and break promises in relationships, most take this as a bad sign. But researchers disagree. Find out why.... Read more »
Peetz, J., & Kammrath, L. (2011) Only because I love you: Why people make and why they break promises in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100(5), 887-904. PMID: 21244176
- December 27, 2011
- 11:03 PM
- 258 views
Idealizing in Long Distance Relationships
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Long distance relationships can be really tough, but recent findings have shown long distance relationships are equally or more satisfied with their relationship than couples who are geographically close to one another. Why does this happen? Read here to find out.... Read more »
Stafford, L., & Merolla, A. (2007) Idealization, reunions, and stability in long-distance dating relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 24(1), 37-54. DOI: 10.1177/0265407507072578
- December 20, 2011
- 03:30 PM
- 303 views
How your attractiveness affects your perception of others
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Have you ever been to a bar or other social hangout and been approached by someone who just doesn’t get the hint that you’re not interested? Conversely, have you felt that that you were doing everything you can to send an “ask-me-for-my-number” signal to no avail? Why do we have such difficulty in accurately reading sexual cues from others? ... Read more »
Farris C, Treat TA, Viken RJ, & McFall RM. (2008) Perceptual mechanisms that characterize gender differences in decoding women's sexual intent. Psychological science, 19(4), 348-54. PMID: 18399887
- December 7, 2011
- 01:54 PM
- 225 views
Scientists use serotonin to change the way you think about relationships
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
A recent study shows that chemicals in the brain can alter the way you think about romantic relationships. Find out how and what this means for your next date.... Read more »
Bilderbeck AC, McCabe C, Wakeley J, McGlone F, Harris T, Cowen PJ, & Rogers RD. (2011) Serotonergic activity influences the cognitive appraisal of close intimate relationships in healthy adults. Biological psychiatry, 69(8), 720-5. PMID: 21396628
- November 29, 2011
- 08:26 PM
- 280 views
Can Stress Be Good for a Relationship?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Stress has been known to send your marital satisfaction on the decline, but can stress early in a relationship actually create more satisfied couples? Read here to find out.... Read more »
Neff LA, & Broady EF. (2011) Stress resilience in early marriage: Can practice make perfect?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 101(5), 1050-67. PMID: 21688919
Finkel EJ, & Campbell WK. (2001) Self-control and accommodation in close relationships: an interdependence analysis. Journal of personality and social psychology, 81(2), 263-77. PMID: 11519931
Schulz MS, Cowan PA, Cowan CP, & Brennan RT. (2004) Coming home upset: Gender, marital satisfaction, and the daily spillover of workday experience into couple interactions. Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43), 18(1), 250-63. PMID: 14992625
- November 22, 2011
- 01:48 PM
- 300 views
The trouble with in-laws… (Holiday Edition!)
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
The holidays are time for cheer and goodwill, but can sometimes be buried under stress and scrutiny – especially from your in-laws. Read on to learn about how research says you should handle these sometimes fragile relationships during the holidays. ... Read more »
Bryant, C., Conger, R., & Meehan, J. (2001) The Influence of In-Laws on Change in Marital Success. Journal of Marriage and Family, 63(3), 614-626. DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3737.2001.00614.x
Marx, J., Miller, L., & Huffmon, S. (2011) Excluding Mothers-in-Law: A Research Note on the Preference for Matrilineal Advice. Journal of Family Issues, 32(9), 1205-1222. DOI: 10.1177/0192513X11402176
Wu, T., Yeh, K., Cross, S., Larson, L., Wang, Y., & Tsai, Y. (2010) Conflict With Mothers-in-Law and Taiwanese Women's Marital Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Husband Support. The Counseling Psychologist, 38(4), 497-522. DOI: 10.1177/0011000009353071
- November 15, 2011
- 01:02 PM
- 262 views
How you can kill love with “should,” “always” and “never.” Do you have unrealistic expectations for a relationship?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Do you expect your relationships to have a perfect fairytale ending? That you'll never fight and will always be happy? Read more about this research to find out how unrealistic expectations about relationships may actually undermine them.... Read more »
Fincham, F.D., & Bradbury, T.N. (1987) The impact of attributions in marriage: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(3), 510-7. PMID: 3656082
Sharp, E., & Ganong, L. (2000) Raising Awareness About Marital Expectations: Are Unrealistic Beliefs Changed by Integrative Teaching?*. Family Relations, 49(1), 71-76. DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00071.x
- November 11, 2011
- 05:50 PM
- 415 views
Soulmates – how believing in them (or not) affects your relationships
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Do you believe in soulmates? Read the latest research and find out how your beliefs about relationships can impact your approach to relationships and the long-term quality.... Read more »
Franiuk, R., Cohen, D., & Pomerantz, E. (2002) Implicit theories of relationships: Implications for relationship satisfaction and longevity. Personal Relationships, 9(4), 345-367. DOI: 10.1111/1475-6811.09401
Knee, C. (1998) Implicit theories of relationships: Assessment and prediction of romantic relationship initiation, coping, and longevity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(2), 360-370. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.74.2.360
Wilcox, W., & Dew, J. (2010) Is love a flimsy foundation? Soulmate versus institutional models of marriage. Social Science Research, 39(5), 687-699. DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2010.05.006
- November 4, 2011
- 02:11 PM
- 377 views
How many relationships should you have before settling down with ‘the one’?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Has anyone identified the number of relationships you should have before you decide to settle down? According to Peter Todd, he has. And the answer might surprise you. ... Read more »
Lichter, Daniel T., Qian, Zhenchao. (2008) Serial Cohabitation and the Marital Life Course. Journal of Marriage , 70(4), 861-878. info:/
- November 1, 2011
- 09:33 PM
- 337 views
“We’re in love, so we’ll work it out” and other dating myths
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
As yet another celebrity marriage bites the dust, one wonders if these two actually talked about the realities of the future more than the endorsements for the wedding ceremony. To give them the benefit of the doubt that at least one or two conversations were had before the trip down the aisle, what kept them from seeing the obvious red flags? What can dating couples learn from Kris and Kim’s demise?... Read more »
Sharp, E., & Ganong, L. (2000) Raising awareness about marital expectations: Are unrealistic beliefs changed by integrative teaching?. Family Relations, 49(1), 71-76. DOI: 10.1111/j.1741-3729.2000.00071.x
Murray, S. (1999) The quest for conviction: Motivated cognition in romantic relationships. Psychological Inquiry, 10(1), 23-34. DOI: 10.1207/s15327965pli1001_3
- October 28, 2011
- 08:48 PM
- 310 views
Is marriage losing importance around the world? The changing face of marriage in Asia
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
From all the way around the world, marriage is changing and becoming less important. But for different reasons in Asian than Western countries. Here are a few interesting research findings about marriage in Asia.... Read more »
Iwasawa, M., & Mita, F. (2007) Boom and Bust in Marriages Between Coworkers and the Marriage Decline in Japan. Japanese Economy, 34(4), 3-24. DOI: 10.2753/JES1097-203X340401
- October 21, 2011
- 06:49 PM
- 342 views
To Text or Not To Text? Dating and Your Mobile Phone
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
When you are starting a new relationship, how should you use your phone? Should you call or text them? What kind of underlying signals are you sending along with your text message? Read here to find out.... Read more »
Reid DJ, & Reid FJ. (2007) Text or talk? Social anxiety, loneliness, and divergent preferences for cell phone use. Cyberpsychology , 10(3), 424-35. PMID: 17594267
- October 18, 2011
- 05:11 PM
- 330 views
Do you take your own relationship advice?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
When I read the community boards, I see a lot of great advice given by members. You are wise. But do you follow your own advice? Knowing the right thing to do in relationships and actually choosing to do it are not always tied together. Find out why. ... Read more »
Turan, B., & Vicary, A.M. (2010) Who recognizes and chooses behaviors that are best for a relationship? The separate roles of knowledge, attachment, and motivation. Personality , 36(1), 119-31. PMID: 19884652
- October 14, 2011
- 09:08 PM
- 379 views
How can you tell if someone is interested?
by eHarmony Labs in eHarmony Labs Blog
Studies show that most people are really bad at knowing who is attracted to them. Although human attraction is a complex issue, psychologists have made a few steps in helping to solve this riddle. Read on.... Read more »
Back, M.D., Penke, L., Schmukle, S.C., & Asendorpf, J.B. (2011) Knowing your own mate value: sex-specific personality effects on the accuracy of expected mate choices. Psychological Science, 22(8), 984-9. PMID: 21724949
Back, M., Penke, L., Schmukle, S., Sachse, K., Borkenau, P., & Asendorpf, J. (2011) Why mate choices are not as reciprocal as we assume: The role of personality, flirting and physical attractiveness. European Journal of Personality, 25(2), 120-132. DOI: 10.1002/per.806
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