We’ve already shown how destructive cults and manipulative marketing tactics can weaponize extreme psychological influence. But what about a form of “mind control” that doesn’t have an industry or a social scaffolding behind it? Manipulation by an intimate partner can feel even more insidious because it’s perpetrated by someone you…
Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are in their 60s now, but they first became friends in their 20s, when they were both single women in TV broadcasting. This means that for over 40 years they have stuck together through marriages, children, divorce, and career ups and downs. Their BFF status…
Social media platforms are home to carefully curated content. Rarely (if ever) do we post an unflattering photo on Instagram, write an uncomplimentary Facebook status, or share a tweet that isn’t funny. I’m happy to be the lab rat here. In the last photo I posted on Instagram, my hair…
Buena Vista is as nice a neighborhood as you could imagine: Proper houses trimmed in white, all lined up in neat rows. It’s a labyrinth of new pavement and landscaping, baking underneath the Texas sun. Somewhere, the sounds of a lawnmower swirl together with a dog barking and a child’s…
My dad is a psychologist—growing up, I remember him helping all types of people, from inmates prepping for parole to other children and teens who were having behavioral issues. As someone from a poor family and a rough area of Chicago, his life lessons were always insightful, if a little…
Weddings came back with a vengeance this summer, and let’s be honest: It had been kind of nice to see people elope for a while. So cheap. So quiet. So little pressure on friends and family. You could just send a gift instead of making small talk with strangers and…
Q: MY EX BROKE UP WITH ME ALMOST 2 MONTHS AGO NOW. IT DIDNT END BAD WE JUST REALIZED WE WERE MORE FRIENDS THAN IN A RELATIONSHIP. HE SAID HE WASNT IN LOVE WITH ME ANYMORE SO WHY DO I STILL WANT SOMEONE THAT DOESNT WANT ME. WHY DO I…
Opposing political views can stir up conflict in your relationship and ultimately drive a wedge between you and your partner. Before you engage in a political discussion with your partner, press pause and consider the best way to approach the conversation or if it’s worth having at all. Also, try…
They say that when you grieve, you deny the reality of the situation. This isn’t happening, this can’t be happening. You also feel extremely angry. You direct this anger at your loved ones, maybe even the person you’ve lost. How could you do this to me? How could you leave…
Every relationship runs into conflict: Sometimes we’re able to work through these conflicts quickly and effectively, but in some instances, we struggle to find that common ground. When conflicts are left unresolved, this can prove extremely stressful and have many negative effects on the relationship. External influences can also have…
Becoming a new parent is hard for anyone. There are so many unknowns and new lessons that come along with having a baby: Will they sleep okay? Are they eating enough? What does that cry mean? Is their crib safe enough? What do I do when I go back to…
When we find that special someone in life, it’s like fireworks go off and our missing puzzle piece falls into place. When you’re in the honeymoon phase of your marriage, you feel like you’re on cloud nine and shower each other with love and affection. However, it’s easy to lose…
