Relationships Archives

Cultural Views on Sex & Their Implications for Desire

Why is sex such a contentious topic? How do the mixed views on sex influence sexual desire? American culture has mixed feelings about sex, and when this culture pervades our relationships, it can impair our desire. American culture tends to look at sex from two extreme points of view, hedonism and Puritanism⁠—sometimes even at the same time. In this article, we’ll consider the clash between the two and its implications for the way we approach our own sex lives.

The 2 Intimacy Languages: Verbal and Nonverbal

What exactly is intimacy? What’s your preferred way of expressing intimacy—verbal or nonverbal? In modern times, our concept of intimacy has become more precise⁠—we consider it to be achieved mainly through verbal communication. But talking isn’t the only intimacy language, intimacy can also be fostered through nonverbal communication. Keep reading to learn about the two languages of intimacy, how and why they sometimes clash, and what can be done about it.

Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel: Book Overview

What is Esther Perel’s Mating in Captivity about? What is the key message of the book? Mating in Captivity looks at what makes up our individual sense of desire and our desire for our partners. According to author Esther Perel, although desire and love may have some fundamental contradictions, there are ways to balance the clashes, and ways to manage extra-relationship stresses. Below is a brief overview of Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel.

The Psychology of Feedback & Relationship Triggers

How do you react to feedback? What factors determine whether you are going to act on the feedback given or dismiss it as unimportant? According to communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, we react to feedback, not because of the content of the feedback itself, but because of who gave it to us and our relationship with them. If we receive feedback from those we like (relationship trigger 1) and who treat us well (relationship trigger 2), we are more likely to heed their insights. Otherwise, we look for ways to disqualify the feedback. In this article, we’ll discuss

The Role of Childhood in Our Sexual Development

When does sexuality start to develop? How does childhood influence our sexual relationships in adulthood? Human sexuality begins to develop very early in childhood, way earlier than we start expressing interest in sex. Our childhood experiences influence our adult relationships in three primary ways: how we’ve learned to balance dependence and independence, how we view sexuality, and how gender norms affect our sexuality. In this article, we’ll discuss the role of early childhood experiences in sexuality development.

Tony Robbins: Relationship Success in 7 Steps

What is Tony Robbins’ relationship advice? How can this advice help you to maintain a healthy relationship? Tony Robbins is known for his advice on a wide range of subjects, including romantic relationships. Following Tony Robbins’ relationship advice can help you to maintain a positive, long-lasting relationship, where both partners feel appreciated and understood. Master your relationship to better understand your partner and improve your well-being. Discover Tony Robbins’ relationship advice below.

The 6 Moral Foundations: Beyond the Harm Principle

What are the six moral foundations? How can our view of morality expand in order to understand others better? Everyone is accustomed to a certain moral framework, and it can be hard to accept that another morality is moral or even possible. Also, people respond to the six moral foundations in different ways. These factors contribute to the difficulty we have in understanding each other. Gaining insight into how moral foundations work can help us empathize with others. Read more to learn about the six moral foundations.

How to Be Indistractable: Build a Schedule

Why is scheduling crucial to becoming indistractable? How do you make an Indistractable schedule? What three responsibilities should you build your schedule around? According to Nir Eyal, one of the most essential things you must do if you want to know how to be indistractable is to build a schedule around your values. Those three values are yourself, your relationships, and your work. Continue below for instructions on how to build your Indistractable schedule.

How Do We Reclaim Civility in Politics?

When was the last time you experienced civility in politics? How can it be achieved? When we find ourselves at odds with someone politically, it is likely that we have different moral matrices. To find common ground—or at least achieve respectful interaction—we would do well to identify which of the six moral foundations are at the heart of the issue. This can help us practice empathy, which in turn can help us achieve civility in politics. Read more to learn the key to finding civility in politics these days.

Flip the Hive Switch: How to Be Less Self-Centered

How can the hive switch help us be less self-interested? What are some ways that we can flip the switch and become more group-interested? Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt asserts that we are mostly self-interested. We only become group-interested, like bees, when we coalesce as hives of people. Haidt explains how the hive switch is a key to this change. Read more to learn how to be less self-centered by flipping the hive switch.