Relationships and Sexual Health

New research from China suggests that women feel unsafe when confronted with a sexually objectifying gaze—but still choose to self-sexualize if the man is attractive or high status. The findings highlight a psychological tradeoff between risk and potential reward.

New research indicates that the traits we value in an ideal partner may influence not only who we’re drawn to, but how we see others—especially our current partners. The study experimentally manipulated ideals and observed shifts in perception and preference.

A new study challenges the idea that more beauty equals more influence. Researchers found that highly attractive fitness influencers often receive less engagement than moderately attractive ones—likely because their polished appearance makes them seem less relatable to their followers.

Researchers found that BDSM participants tend to report lower levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance than non-participants. The study suggests that secure emotional attachment may increase the likelihood of exploring BDSM practices in real life.

Is online dating changing how love feels? A large cross-cultural study suggests that couples who begin their relationships offline tend to report deeper emotional bonds and greater satisfaction than those who met through apps, websites, or social media platforms.

Psychology researchers uncovered an unexpected divide in choosiness. Singles who articulate more non-negotiables in a partner report more sexual activity, while those who act pickier in rating dating profiles report less — suggesting different types of choosiness shape sex lives...

Believing certain groups are more attracted to you may sway who you find attractive, according to new research. The study points to racialized perceptions of desirability as a factor in dating preferences among Asian and Black Americans.

Love may grow through shared moments of joy. A new psychology study of long-term couples finds that when partners emotionally sync up—through warmth, smiles, and affection—they tend to show stronger, more enduring feelings of love across time.

Physically attractive women tend to report greater interest in casual sex, but a new study finds that traditional moral values—especially those emphasizing social order and purity—can override this tendency, particularly among women with rural or conservative backgrounds.

A new study finds that mothers with secure attachment styles are more likely to vividly and emotionally relive joyful moments—whether personal or with their child—while those with dismissing attachment tend to show less emotional engagement in such reflections.

A case study from China details how antipsychotic medication helped a young woman overcome persistent, distressing orgasmic symptoms unrelated to sexual desire. The findings suggest a possible role for dopamine dysfunction in persistent genital arousal disorder and related sensory disturbances.

It’s more than a hookup but less than a relationship. This emotional gray area, the “situationship,” is a modern dating staple. A new study finally unpacks the complex psychology of why people willingly remain in these undefined connections.

Romantic relationships could be a gateway to greater gender awareness. Research shows men are more likely to empathize with, recognize, and respond to sexism when it is experienced by their female partner rather than a friend or stranger.

A qualitative study involving Spanish adolescents found that many minors are familiar with OnlyFans and view it as a realistic source of income. The study raises concerns about how media exposure shapes adolescent perceptions of sexuality, gender, and economic opportunity.

Researchers have used eye-tracking to show that our gaze is not random when we evaluate bodies. A study in Behavioral Sciences found that attention is focused on the chest and torso, and this focus shifts when judging for attractiveness, health,...