## Recent Articles ### Friends to Lovers? Exploring the Impact of Platonic Relationships on Romantic Ones The expectations you have for your friendships say a lot about you. That includes what you might be looking for in a romantic partner. [Read more](/content/stories/impact-of-platonic-relationships-on-romantic-ones/index.html) ### Times, They Are A(i) Changin’: Generative AI and Stanford’s Honor Code How will the acceptance or prohibition of generative AI tools impact student perceptions of integrity and plagiarism, or vice versa? [Read more](/content/stories/generative-ai-and-stanfords-honor-code/index.html) ### What Does Your Political Affiliation Actually Say About You? What does it really mean to be a Communist? A Socialist? A Republican? [Read more](/content/stories/political-affiliation-values/index.html) ### From Long-Lost Soulmates to Lifelong Partners: Catching Up with Maxwell and Melia NYU Marriage Pact matches Maxwell and Melia have some big news. [Read more](/content/stories/maxwell-and-melia-part-2/index.html) ### The Haunting Reality of Ghosting, According to College Students Who you gonna call? Not your date, apparently. [Read more](/content/stories/the-haunting-reality-of-ghosting/index.html) ### Through Thick and Thin (and a Little Bit of Theater): Catching Up With Georgia and Tori Georgia and Tori's Marriage Pact-approved friendship has withstood all the trials and tribulations of college life. See what they've been up the past two years. [Read more](/content/stories/georgia-and-tori-part-2/index.html) ### Easy (and Sweet) as Pie: Catching Up With Britney and Jeffrey Even after two and a half years together, Britney and Jeffrey still make love look effortless. See where life has taken them since we chatted last. [Read more](/content/stories/britney-and-jeffrey-part-2/index.html) ### Should You Always Listen to Your Heart? Evaluating the Importance of Practicality vs Passion in a Relationship Are you looking for a steamy love affair or a more sensible connection? Let's see what students are saying about how they want to build a lasting relationship. [Read more](/content/stories/practicality-vs-passion/index.html) ### A Comfy Kind of Love: Catching Up With Josh and Reagan It’s been over a year since we last spoke with UMich graduates Josh and Reagan. Since then, they've settled into the comfort of a romance meant-to-be. [Read more](/content/stories/josh-and-reagan-part-2/index.html) ### What Do College Students Really Think About Cheating? No, not that kind of cheating. Find out which traits, values, and identities are associated with a higher acceptance of romantic infidelity. [Read more](/content/stories/cheating-in-college/index.html) ### Why Bottled Feelings are the Bane of Love: Exploring Assertiveness in Romantic Relationships Find out which students have the highest levels of romantic assertiveness, and why avoiding your feelings is the enemy of happiness. [Read more](/content/stories/assertiveness-in-romantic-relationships/index.html) ### Oh, The Places You’ll Think About Going: Who’s Got a 5-Year Plan Job hunting, couch-hopping, med school—the plans that college students have for the next phases of their lives can seriously vary. Who feels ready for it? [Read more](/content/stories/whos-got-a-5-year-plan/index.html) ### Hope for the Hopelessly Single: Which Qualities Predict Success in Romantic Relationships? Are there any universal qualities that increase a person’s chances for romance? And how many of them can we actually change? [Read more](/content/stories/predictors-of-singleness/index.html) ### Who Cares about Rocks? College Students on the Value of Other Fields of Study Not every student sees the purpose of the disciplines outside their own. [Read more](/content/stories/value-fields-of-study/index.html) ### Investigating the Impact of the College Experience on Religion Religious participation is falling for college-age Americans. What impact do students’ religious affiliations have on their college experience, and vice versa? [Read more](/content/stories/investigating-the-impact-of-the-college-experience-on-religion/index.html) ### Kids or Career? How Gender and Field of Study Impact College Students' Desires for Children How might the intersection between students' gender identities and career paths impact their future family planning? [Read more](/content/stories/how-gender-and-field-of-study-impact-desire-for-kids/index.html) ### Coincidences You Can’t Ignore: Ivy and Vaughn "I remember getting the email and being in complete shock. I figured it was Ivy, but because we’d already started talking and I already liked her so much..." [Read more](/content/stories/ivy-and-vaughn/index.html) ### It's An Art: First Messages To and From Marriage Pact Matches There's nothing more important than first impressions. In the dating world, that means your first text, snap, DM, etc. So, what do you say? [Read more](/content/stories/first-messages-to-and-from-marriage-pact-matches/index.html) ### AI Perspectives on Love AI's unique take on love: Is it the future of relationships or a dystopian nightmare? Find out from my fascinating conversation with GPT-3. [Read more](/content/stories/ai-perspectives-on-love/index.html) ### How Important is Marriage to College Students, Really? As much as the Marriage Pact would love to endow every participant with an everlasting romance, we understand that marriage isn’t the end goal for everyone. [Read more](/content/stories/thoughts-on-marriage/index.html) ### Parenting Styles: A Follow-Up on Families and Love Lives We're keeping it close to home by examining the crucial role your family plays in your love life—particularly the parenting styles you were parented under. [Read more](/content/stories/parenting-styles-a-follow-up-on-families-and-love-lives/index.html) ### Quantifying “It’s Complicated”: Looking at Singleness on a Spectrum Let's jump right in: just how single are the students who take the Marriage Pact? What does that mean for their values and behaviors while in a relationship? [Read more](/content/stories/singleness-on-a-spectrum/index.html) ### Point of Pride or Policy Failure: What College Students Think About Billionaires We take a look at the ethical (and economic) quandary of billionaires and, according to college students, whether or not they should exist. [Read more](/content/stories/what-college-students-think-about-billionaires/index.html) ### Kindred Spirits: Analyzing Who Believes in Soulmates Are college students really looking for that one-in-a-million special someone, or does the predestined have no room in their relationships? [Read more](/content/stories/who-believes-in-soulmates/index.html) ### Here Comes the Sun Maybe next time you casanovas give someone your number, make sure it's sunny out. [Read more](/content/stories/here-comes-the-sun/index.html) ### Sorry, Not Sorry: When and How (Not) to Apologize I discuss the core components of an effective apology, as well as when it's time to stop saying sorry for things out of your control. [Read more](/content/stories/sorry-not-sorry-when-and-how-not-to-apologize/index.html) ### Tech Bros (and Girls): How Gendered Influences Shape Computer Science Stereotypes — Part 2 What are some stereotypes associated with CS majors at different universities? How, if at all, do these patterns still hold across gendered lines? [Read more](/content/stories/gender-computer-science-2/index.html) ### You're So Funny: The Role of Humor in Relationships We dive into the role of humor in relationships. It might be time to brush up on your best one-liners (if you're into that kind of thing). [Read more](/content/stories/youre-so-funny-the-role-of-humor-in-relationships/index.html) ### How to Live Life to the Fullest: Spencer and Morgan’s Story Adventure is out there—and Yale students Spencer and Morgan are determined to find it. [Read more](/content/stories/spencer-and-morgan/index.html) ### What Happens When We Play Hard to Get? We take a look at the science behind playing hard to get, and the reciprocity principle of attraction. [Read more](/content/stories/what-happens-when-we-play-hard-to-get/index.html) ### Tech Bros (and Girls): How Gendered Influences Shape Computer Science Stereotypes — Part 1 We’ve heard of “tech bros”, but is there such a thing as a “tech girl?” And what do these differences look like when we step outside of Silicon Valley? [Read more](/content/stories/gender-computer-science/index.html) ### A Real-Life Rom-Com: Khushi and Colby’s Story Bowdoin seniors Khushi and Colby have lived a story that most of us could only dream of. [Read more](/content/stories/khushi-and-colby/index.html) ### When Two Become One: The Self-Expansion Theory of Love I explore the self-expansion model of love (and how it plays into the 'honeymoon phase')! [Read more](/content/stories/when-two-become-one-the-self-expansion-theory-of-love/index.html) ### Love in Your Family Line: Birth Order and Romantic Tendencies We return to the question of birth order and whether or not it impacts students' romantic values and behaviors in a relationship. [Read more](/content/stories/birth-order-and-romantic-tendencies/index.html) ### Luxury or Laziness: If You Do Nothing All Day, How Do You Feel? Is it a self-care day or another source of stress? Let's break down student responses to a question on their emotions toward a day free of responsibilities. [Read more](/content/stories/if-you-do-nothing-all-day/index.html) ### Keepin’ It Casual: Sociosexuality and What It Means for Compatibility We take a look at connection, sexuality, and the relationship between emotional and physical intimacy as it impacts today's college students. [Read more](/content/stories/sociosexuality-and-compatibility/index.html) ### Valentine's Day: Strengthening Relationships or Worsening Wounds? Well, well. Funny seeing you here. And on Valentine's Day, no less. How serendipitous. [Read more](/content/stories/valentines-day-strengthening-relationships-or-worsening-wounds/index.html) ### Deep-Rooted Love: Sylvie and Pedro’s Story Only the luckiest of us are blessed with a connection so pure, it only grows stronger with time. [Read more](/content/stories/sylvie-and-pedro/index.html) ### Similarities Under the Surface: Jasmine and Aava "I think that the traits that we value in ourselves we also look for in other people, and we found them in each other." [Read more](/content/stories/jasmine-and-aava/index.html) ### Break Up (And Don't Look Back) We can think of no better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by taking a deep dive into breakups! Read on for our take on cutting things off cold. 🧊 [Read more](/content/stories/break-up-and-dont-look-back/index.html) ### From 4-Hour FaceTime Calls to Family Reunions: Jacob and Olivia’s Story Both thoughtful communicators from large families, Jacob and Olivia have never had trouble finding a point of connection. [Read more](/content/stories/jacob-and-olivia/index.html) ### Flipping the Script: How Does Sexual Orientation Affect Your Choice to Leave Someone or Be Left at the Altar? In our third look at this iconic question, we investigate how things differ for LGBTQ+ identifying students. [Read more](/content/stories/sexual-orientation-altar/index.html) ### An Anxious Defense of Romantic Rebounds I dive into an oft-taboo post-breakup topic: rebounding (and how it might be good for you). Read on! [Read more](/content/stories/an-anxious-defense-of-romantic-rebounds/index.html) ### A Carbon Footprint That Lasts: Do Climate-Conscious Students Still Want Children? Just how far are students willing to go to mitigate their impact on the environment? [Read more](/content/stories/environmental-awareness-children/index.html) ### Leave Someone or be Left at the Altar: How Does Your Gender Impact Your Decision? There's one key finding we missed in our last analysis of the infamous "leave or be left" survey question. [Read more](/content/stories/leave-or-be-left-gender/index.html) ### The Terrible Reign of Rejection Today we face our fears—rejection. Read on for Relationship Science's take on romantic rejection, and what rejection can mean for different people. [Read more](/content/stories/the-terrible-reign-of-rejection/index.html) ### The Heart Speaks Its Mind: The Empathy Gap We take a look at the results of a fascinating new speed-dating study that discusses whether or not we can trust our own preferences. [Read more](/content/stories/the-heart-speaks-its-mind-the-empathy-gap/index.html) ### New Year, New Us: Reaching Joint Goals Together We evaluate why joint resolutions—ones you stick to with a partner—may be a better way to stay accountable. [Read more](/content/stories/new-year-new-us-reaching-joint-goals-together/index.html) ### The Power Dynamics Behind Gift-Giving There's no better way to kick-off the holidays than to analyze the psychology of gift-giving — we break down what gifts mean for power dynamics. Spicy. [Read more](/content/stories/the-power-dynamics-behind-gift-giving/index.html) ### Tis the Season… For Romantic Rituals We examine what rituals mean for romantic relationships. [Read more](/content/stories/tis-the-season-for-romantic-rituals/index.html) ### Going with the Flow: How Kyle and Conner Found Effortless Friendship Kyle and Conner wasted no time after matching with one of the highest compatibility scores on William and Mary's campus. [Read more](/content/stories/kyle-and-conner/index.html) ### Second Time’s the Charm: Sarah and Beth With a 93.7 quality percentile, Sarah and Beth beat the algorithm to the punch when it came to finding a great match on campus. [Read more](/content/stories/sarah-and-beth/index.html) ### In Sickness and in Health: How Love Boosts Immunity We share new insight into what love can do for your immunity. [Read more](/content/stories/in-sickness-and-in-health-how-love-boosts-immunity/index.html) ### Breakup Season: The Turkey Drop The Turkey Drop. Despite the name, it's not a dance move your dad would break out to embarrass you. Rather, a pre-holiday breakup phenomenon. [Read more](/content/stories/breakup-season-the-turkey-drop/index.html) ### Friends, Faith, and a Five-Star Match: Eliza and Zach’s Story Eliza and Zach knew each other peripherally through their campus ministry—but it took a nudge in the right direction for the pair to officially connect. [Read more](/content/stories/eliza-and-zach/index.html) ### Give Your Thanks, and Not Just on Thanksgiving With Thanksgiving around the corner, let's talk about gratitude, its necessity in romantic relationships, and how to most effectively express it! [Read more](/content/stories/give-your-thanks-and-not-just-on-thanksgiving/index.html) ### Behind the Banter, A Comfortable Friendship: Ari and Michael UMich students Ari and Michael currently hold the record for the shortest-ever engagement after taking the Marriage Pact: a minute and a half. [Read more](/content/stories/ari-and-michael/index.html) ### How to Know You’ve Found the One: Danny and Dea’s Story For Stanford graduates Danny and Dea, the Marriage Pact was little more than a safety net. [Read more](/content/stories/danny-and-dea/index.html) ### The Wax and Wane of Relationship Satisfaction Our take on the ups and downs of relationships (everyone's got 'em). [Read more](/content/stories/the-wax-and-wane-of-relationship-satisfaction/index.html) ### When Fear is Romantic: The Psychology of Scary Movies In the spirit of Halloween, let’s talk about the psychology behind horror and how it relates to romance. [Read more](/content/stories/when-fear-is-romantic-the-psychology-of-scary-movies/index.html) ### Effortless Connection, Effortful Love: Mei-Lan and Preston’s Story Love is blind, they say. Meet Mei-Lan and Preston: two people who were so indisputably in love with each other that they couldn’t even see it themselves. [Read more](/content/stories/meilan-and-preston/index.html) ### Would it Work Out If It Weren’t For the Distance? Today we explore the age-old question: Is distance truly damning for relationships? Or were certain relationships just doomed from the start? [Read more](/content/stories/would-it-work-out-if-it-werent-for-the-distance/index.html) ### How to Make the Honeymoon Stage Last: Lucy and Asia’s Story There’s no better validation of your budding romance than an algorithmic guarantee that you aren’t only compatible, but a perfect 100% match. [Read more](/content/stories/lucy-and-asia/index.html) ### The Real Spooky Science of Ghosting Our Relationship Science Team's take on the most frightening dating habit of all— ghosting. [Read more](/content/stories/the-real-spooky-science-of-ghosting/index.html) ### A Lesson in First Impressions: Ben and Be After planning their summer wedding in the place of typical first-DM pleasantries, the Haverford students settled on a first date of milkshakes from Wawa. [Read more](/content/stories/ben-and-be/index.html) ### You Smell Good (to Me): MHC and Genetic Compatibility We explore how smell (!) plays a part in attraction. [Read more](/content/stories/you-smell-good-to-me-mhc-and-genetic-compatibility/index.html) ### A Heated Debate on Jealousy Scientists have been debating the roots of jealousy in romantic relationships. Read more to see if it's ever possible to envision a world without jealousy. [Read more](/content/stories/a-heated-debate-on-jealousy/index.html) ### The Recipe for Romance: How Buttered Noodles and Hockey Games Brought Josh and Reagan Together Josh and Reagan were perfect strangers this time last year, with little chance of crossing paths. Luckily, statistics have nothing on fated romance. [Read more](/content/stories/josh-and-reagan/index.html) ### The Components of a Cheater Inspired by the recent Adam Levine scandal... we jump into what makes a person more or less likely to cheat. [Read more](/content/stories/the-components-of-a-cheater/index.html)