Relationships

In the face of heartbreak, music can offer incomparable solace. But is listening to breakup songs just a self-indulgent exercise in sappiness? Or does it actually possess pain-mitigating properties?

By Cristen Conger

Many adults rate relationship breakups among the worst events of their lives. How does the psyche handle that kind of heartache? And is there a secret formula for mending a broken heart?

By Cristen Conger

How many movies have you seen where a glimpse across the room is enough to convince a protagonist that the search for love is over? Silly, right? Some scientists don't think so. Is love at first sight possible?

By Molly Edmonds

Infants and toddlers tend to be extremely self-centered. They haven't yet developed the ability to think of anyone but themselves. That changes for most kids at around age 3 or 4, when they develop theory of mind. But what is it?

By Josh Clark

Is it possible to love more than one person? Those who practice polyamory think so, taking on multiple romantic relationships at the same time. Aside from logistics, there's potential jealousy and the social stigma that comes with it. Just how do they make it work?

By Molly Edmonds

Today's version of marriage looks very different from the unions enjoyed by our ancestors. For most of human history, marriage was more akin to a business deal between men, and the bride in question had very few rights or other options. So how did marriage become associated with love?

By Molly Edmonds

Does waving your arms around while you talk affect how people perceive your words? Yes, it does. In fact, you may not need to "choose your words" at all.

By Charles W. Bryant

Traditionally, men have served as the breadwinner for a family while women governed the domestic sphere. But have the tables turned? And is the recession behind it?

By Molly Edmonds

Economists have long argued that women play a key role in lifting a nation out of poverty, yet the traditions and religions in the developing world have often blocked their progress. How do we break the cycle and find the path to gender equality?

By Molly Edmonds

Love -- is it really all we need? Scientists and songwriters agree that love is one of the most important aspects of being human, but why do we get that familiar head rush when we meet someone we like? As it turns out, most of the fun of falling in love lies in the pursuit of that special someone.

By Josh Clark

Polygamy: Explore the practice of marrying multiple spouses across cultures and time.

By Julia Layton

In kindergarten, it may have been the girl who always gave you the frosting from her cupcake. As an adult, it may be the guy who will answer the phone at 2 a.m. when you need to talk. How do you define a friend?

By Alia Hoyt & Molly Edmonds

You can get a pretty good idea of how American society interprets gender by walking through the children's section in a typical clothing store. But not everyone fits into these ideas of what boys and girls should be. What do sex and gender even mean?

By Molly Edmonds

Much of country music would have gone unwritten without someone's cheatin' heart, and we can't underestimate the importance of extramarital affairs to centuries of written drama. But in real life, how do men and women differ when it comes to breaking their marital vows?

By Molly Edmonds

How often have you seen a couple interact like oil and water throughout an entire romantic comedy, only to realize that they're fated to be together? Princes marry scullery maids and Harvard lawyers fall for the mechanics who fix their cars. Is there any science to the story?

By Molly Edmonds

A lie grows until it's as plain as the nose on your face, says Pinocchio's fairy friend. But if you don't see a long nose (or pants on fire), how do you spot a fib?

By Tom Scheve

From exchanging rings to saving the top layer of the cake, weddings are full of quirky traditions. When it comes to the custom of carrying the bride over the threshold, it's less about chivalry than it is about chastity and spirit intrusion.

By Josh Clark

A woman plays with her hair. A man makes eye contact. Is this flirting? How do you tell if the person is showing a romantic interest or a friendly one?

By Shanna Freeman

Would you pull a switch that sends a man to his death to save five others on a runaway trolley? The trolley problem explores the concept of human morality and a philosophical view of consequentialism.

By Josh Clark

The common practice of dressing boys in blue and girls in pink is rooted in tradition. But is there science and biology in this equation, too?

By Josh Clark

Speed dating is based on shidduch, an old Jewish tradition of helping young, single Jews meet others in the faith. Today, this matchmaking tool has spread across the world and is tailored to suit a variety of interests. Learn about how speed dating works and if the rules of attraction still apply.

By Josh Clark

Marriage is about beginning a new life with a loved one, but it's also a legal process that can present both challenges and opportunities. Learn about marriage laws, marriage licenses and your rights under the law.

By Jacob Silverman

A lot of women would be pleased to know the answer to this age-old question. Is it something in their biological makeup? Rooted in testosterone? We found out.

By Tracy V. Wilson

If you believe what you see on TV, women are conniving, hysterical and indecisive. So is gender clouded by perception, and does biology support or disprove stereotypes?

By Tracy V. Wilson

When you really think about it, kissing is pretty gross -- it's rooted in saliva and mucous membranes. Yet anthropologists report that 90 percent of the people in the world kiss. So what's all the fuss about?

By Tracy V. Wilson