Overview of the Field

Finkel, E. J. (2025). Romantic relationships. In D. T Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, E. J. Finkel, & W. B. Mendes (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (6th edition). Situational Press. https://doi.org/10.70400/NELF6116

Finkel, E. J., Simpson, J. A., & Eastwick, P. E. (2017). The psychology of close relationships: Fourteen core principles. Annual Review of Psychology, 68, 383-411. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2015). Relationship science, 2015. Current Opinion in Psychology, 1, 5-9. [Download]

Reis, H. T., Aron, A. P., Clark, M. S., & Finkel, E. J. 2013). Ellen Berscheid, Elaine Hatfield, and the emergence of relationship science. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 8, 558-572. [Download]

Interpersonal Attraction

Moreno, E., Finkel, E. J., Ammerman, K., & Eastwick, P. W. (2026). In-person and virtual dates are comparable, but people don’t know it. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 01461672251409231.

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., Meza, E. M., & Ammerman, K. (2025). No gender differences in attraction to young partners: A study of 4500 blind dates. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 122, e2416984122.

Matz, S. C., Peters, H., Cerf, M., Grunenberg, E., Eastwick, P. W., Back, M., & Finkel, E. J. (2024). Can large language models detect verbal indicators of romantic attraction? Science Advances.

Baxter, A., Maxwell, J. A., Bales, K. L., Finkel, E. J., Impett, E. A., & Eastwick, P. W. (2022). Initial impressions of mate value and compatibility predict later dating and romantic interest. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119(45), e2206925119.

Sparks, J., Daly, C., Wilkey, B. M., Molden, D. C., Finkel, E. J., & Eastwick, P. W. (2020). Negligible evidence that people desire partners who uniquely fit their ideals. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. [Download}

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019a). Best practices for testing the predictive validity of ideal partner preference-matching. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 45, 167-181. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019b). Relationship trajectories: A meta-theoretical framework and theoretical applications [target article]. Psychological Inquiry, 30, 1-28. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019c). The relationship trajectories framework: Elaboration and expansion [response to commentaries]. Psychological Inquiry, 30, 48-57. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2019). Attraction and rejection. In E. J. Finkel, and R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Advanced social psychology: The state of the science (pp. 201-226). New York: Oxford University Press. [Download]

Joel, S., Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2017). Is romantic desire predictable? Machine learning applied to initial romantic attraction. Psychological Science, 28, 1478-1489. [Download]

Vacharkulksemsuk, V., Reit, E., Khambatta, P., Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Carney, D. R. (2016). Dominant, open nonverbal displays are attractive at zero-acquaintance. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, 113, 4009-4014. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Eastwick, P. E. (2015). Interpersonal Attraction: In Search of a Theoretical Rosetta Stone. In J. A. Simpson & J. F. Dovidio (Eds.), APA Handbook of personality and social psychology, volume 3: Interpersonal relations (pp. 179-210). Washington: American Psychological Association. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Norton, M. I., Reis, H. T., Ariely, D., Caprariello, P. A., Eastwick, P. W., Frost, J. H., & Maniaci, M. R. (2015). When does familiarity promote versus undermine interpersonal attraction? A proposed integrative model from erstwhile adversaries. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10, 3-19. [Download]

Hunt, L. L., Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2015). Leveling the playing field: Acquaintance length predicts reduced assortative mating on attractiveness. Psychological Science, 26, 1046-1053. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., & Hunt, L. L. (2014). The many voices of Darwin's descendents: Reply to Schmitt (2014). Psychological Bulletin, 149, 673-681. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., & Hunt, L. L. (2014). The predictive validity of ideal partner preferences: A review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 149, 623-665. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Neff, L. A., Finkel, E. J., Luchies, L. B., & Hunt, L. L. (2014). Is a meta-analysis a foundation or just another brick? Comment on Meltzer, McNulty, Jackson, and Karney (2014). Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106, 429-434. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Wilkey, B. M., Finkel, E. J., Lambert, N. M., Fitzsimons, G. M., Brown, P. C., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). Act with authority: Romantic desire at the nexus of power possessed and power perceived. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49, 267-271. [Download]

Tidwell, N. D., Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2013). Perceived, not actual, similarity predicts initial attraction in a live romantic context: Evidence from the speed-dating paradigm. Personal Relationships, 20, 199-215. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., Karney, B. R., Reis, H. T., & Sprecher, S. (2012). Online dating: A critical analysis from the perspective of psychological science. Psychology Science in the Public Interest, 13, 3-66. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Eagly, A. H., Finkel, E. J., & Johnson, S. E. (2011). Implicit and explicit preferences for physical attractiveness in a romantic partner: A double dissociation in predictive validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101, 993-1011. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Eagly, A. H. (2011). When and why do ideal partner preferences affect the processes of initiating and maintaining romantic relationships? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 11, 1012-1032. [Download]

Ireland, M. E., Slatcher, R. B., Eastwick, P. W., Scissors, L. E., Finkel, E. J., & Pennebaker, J. W. (2011). Language style matching predicts relationship initiation and stability. Psychological Science, 22, 39-44. [Download]

Reis, H. T., Maniaci, M. R., Caprariello, P. A., Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2011-a). Familiarity does indeed lead to attraction in live interaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 557-570. [Download

Reis, H. T., Maniaci, M. R., Caprariello, P. A., Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2011-b). In live interaction, does familiarity promote attraction or contempt?: A reply to Norton. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 575-578. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Saigal, S. D., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Smooth Operating: A Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) perspective on initial romantic encounters. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 1, 344-352. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2010). Attraction and rejection. In R. F. Baumeister, and E. J. Finkel (Eds.), Advanced social psychology: The state of the science. New York: Oxford University Press. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Richeson, J. A., Son, D., & Finkel, E. J. (2009). Is love colorblind? Political orientation and interracial romantic desire. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35, 1258-1268. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Eastwick, P. W. (2009). Arbitrary social norms and sex differences in romantic selectivity. Psychological Science, 20, 1290-1295. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008a). The attachment system in fledgling relationships: An activation role for attachment anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 628-647. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008b). Sex differences in mate preferences revisited: Do people know what they initially desire in a romantic partner? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94, 245-264. [Download] 

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2008c). Speed-dating: A powerful and flexible paradigm for studying romantic relationship initiation. In S. Sprecher, A. Wenzel, & J. Harvey (Eds.), Handbook of relationship initiation (pp. 217-234). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Eastwick, P. W. (2008). Speed-dating. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17, 193-197. [Download] 

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., Mochon, D., & Ariely, D. (2007). Selective versus unselective romantic desire: Not all reciprocity is created equal. Psychological Science, 18, 317-319. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., & Matthews, J. (2007). Speed-dating as an invaluable tool for studying romantic attraction: A methodological primer. Personal Relationships, 14, 149-166. [Download]

Marriage

Joel, S., Eastwick, P. W., Allison, C. J., Arriaga, X. B., Baker, Z. G., Bar-Kalifa, E., Bergeron, S., Birnbaum, G., Brock, R. L., Brumbaugh, C. C., Carmichael, C. L., Chen, S., Clarke, J., Cobb, R. J., Coolsen, M. K., Davis, J., de Jong, D. C., Debrot, A., DeHaas, E. C., Derrick, J. L., Eller, J., Estrada, M. J., Faure, R., Finkel, E. J., Fraley, R. C., Gable, S. L., Gadassi, R., Girme, Y. U., Gordon, A. M., Gosnell, C. L., Hammond, M. D., Hannon, P. A., Harasymchuk, C., Hofmann, W., Horn, A. B., Impett, E. A., Jamieson, J. P., Keltner, D., Kim, J. J., Kirchner, J. L., Kluwer, E. S., Kumashiro, M., Larson, G., Lazarus, G., Logan, J. M., Luchies, L. B., MacDonald, G., Machia, L. V., Maniaci, M. R., Maxwell, J. A., Mizrahi, M., Muise, A., Niehuis, S., Ogolsky, B. G., Oldham, C. R., Overall, N. C., Perrez, M., Peters, B. J., Pietromonaco, P. R., Powers, S. I., Prok, T., Pshedetzky-Shochat, R., Rafaeli, E., Ramsdell, E., Reblin, M., Reicherts, M., Reifman, A., Reis, H. T., Rhoades, G. K., Rholes, W. S., Righetti, F., Rodriguez, L. M., Rogge, R., Rosen, N. O., Saxbe, D., Sened, H., Simpson, J. A., Slotter, E. B., Stanley, S. M., Stocker, S., Surra, C., Vaughn, A. A., Vicary, A. M., Visserman, M. L., & Wolf, S. (2020). Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117, 19061-19071. [Download}

Finkel, E. J. (2017). The all-or-nothing marriage. New York: Dutton. [Website]

Finkel, E. J., Cheung, E. O., Emery, L. F., Carswell, K. L., & Larson, G. M. (2015). The suffocation model: Why marriage in America is becoming an all-or-nothing institution. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 24, 238-244. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Hui, C. M., Carswell, K. L., & Larson, G. M. (2014). The suffocation of marriage: Climbing Mount Maslow without enough oxygen. Psychological Inquiry, 25, 1-41. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Larson, G. M., Carswell, K. L., & Hui, C. M. (2014). Marriage at the summit: Response to the commentaries. Psychological Inquiry, 25, 120-145. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Slotter, E. B., Luchies, L. B., Walton, G. M., & Gross, J. J. (2013). A brief intervention to promote conflict-reappraisal preserves marital quality over time. Psychological Science, 24, 1595-1601. [Download]

Rick, S. I., Small, D. A., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). Fatal (fiscal) attraction: Spendthrifts and tightwads in marriage. Journal of Marketing Research, XLVIII, 228-237. [Download]

Clark, M. S., Lemay, E. P., Graham, S. M., Pataki, S. P., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Ways of giving and receiving benefits in marriage: Norm use and attachment related variability. Psychological Science, 21, 944-951. [Download]

Conflict Resolution

Slotter, E. B., Markey, P. M., Strauss, A. Strauss, A., Dashineau, A., Luchies, L. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2023). Love’s a dance you learn as you go: Evidence for interpersonal complementarity during romantic conflict and its association with relationship outcomes. European Journal of Social Psychology, 53, 805-822.

Finkel, E. J., & Hall, A. N. (2018). The I3 Model: A metatheoretical framework for understanding aggression. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 125-130. [Download]

Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., Coy, A. E., Reid, C. A., Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, J. L., & Green, J. D. (2017). People feel worse about their forgiveness when mismatches between forgiveness and amends create adaptation risks. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. [Download]

Durante, K. M., Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., Gangestad, S. M., & Simpson, J. A. (2016). Pair-bonded relationships and romantic alternatives: Toward an integration of evolutionary and relationship science perspectives. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 53, 1-74. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2016). Reflections on the commitment-forgiveness RRR. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11, 765-767. [Download]

Overall, N. C., Hammond, M. T., McNulty, J. K., & Finkel, E. J. (2016). When power shapes interpersonal behavior: Low relationship power predicts men's aggressive responses to situational power. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 111, 195-217. [Download]

Burnette, J. L., Davisson, E. K., Finkel, E. J., Van Tongeren, D. R., Hui, C. M., & Hoyle, R. H. (2014). Self-control and forgiveness: A meta-analytic review. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 5, 443-450. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2014). The I3 Model: Metatheory, theory, and evidence. In J. M. Olson, & M. P. Zanna (Eds.), Advances in experimental social psychology, 49, 1-104. [Download]

Hui, C. M., Finkel, E. J., Fitzsimons, G. M., Kumashiro, M., & Hofmann, W. (2014). The Manhattan effect: When relationship commitment fails to promote support for partner interests. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106, 546-570. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2013). Intimate partner violence. In J. A. Simpson & L. Campbell (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of close relationships (pp. 452-474). Oxford: New York. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Slotter, E. B., Luchies, L. B., Walton, G. M., & Gross, J. J. (2013). A brief intervention to promote conflict-reappraisal preserves marital quality over time.Psychological Science, 24, 1595-1601. [Download]

Green, J. D., Davis, J. L., Luchies, L. B., Coy, A. E., Van Tongeren, D. R., Reid, C. R., & Finkel, E. J. (2013). Victims versus perpetrators: Affective and empathic forecasting regarding transgressions in romantic relationships. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 49, 329-333. [Download]

Luchies, L. B., Wieselquist, J., Rusbult, C. E., Kumashiro, M., Eastwick, P. W., Coolsen, M. K. &, Finkel, E. J. (2013). Trust and biased memory of transgressions in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 104, 673-694. [Download]

Denson, T. F., DeWall, C. N., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). Self-control and aggression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21, 20-25. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). The evolutionary armistice: Attachment bonds moderate the function of ovulatory cycle adaptations. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 174-184. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Slotter, E. B., McNulty, J. K., Pond, R. S., Jr., & Atkins, D. C. (2012). Using I3 theory to clarify when dispositional aggressiveness predicts intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 533-549. [Download]

Hannon, P. A., Finkel, E. J., Kumashiro, M., & Rusbult, C. E. (2012). The soothing effects of forgiveness on victims’ and perpetrators’ blood pressure. Personal Relationships, 19, 279-289. [Download]

Slotter, E. B., Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Lambert, N. M., Pond, R. S., Bodenhausen, G. V., & Fincham, F. D. (2012). Putting the brakes on aggression toward a romantic partner: The inhibitory influence of relationship commitment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 291-305. [Download]

Stanton, S. E., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). Too tired to take offense: When depletion promotes forgiveness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 587-590. [Download]

DeWall, C. N., Finkel, E. J., & Denson, T. F. (2011). Self-control inhibits aggression. Social & Personality Psychology Compass, 458-472. [Download]

Luchies, L. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). The doormat effect: On the dangers of resolving conflict via unilateral forgiveness. In J. P. Forgas, A. W. Kruglanski, & K. D. Williams (Eds.), The psychology of social conflict and aggression (pp. 217-230). New York: Psychology Press. [Download]

Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2011). The effects of self-regulatory strength, content, and strategies on close relationships. Journal of Personality, 79, 1251–1279. [Download]

Rick, S. I., Small, D. A., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). Fatal (fiscal) attraction: Spendthrifts and tightwads in marriage. Journal of Marketing Research, XLVIII, 228-237. [Download]

Slotter, E. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). I3 Theory: Instigating, impelling, and inhibiting factors in aggression. In M. Mikulincer, & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Human aggression and violence: Causes, manifestations, and consequences (pp. 35-52). Washington: American Psychological Association. [Download]

Hannon, P. A., Rusbult, C. E., Finkel, E. J., & Kumashiro, M. A. (2010). In the wake of betrayal: Perpetrator amends, victim forgiveness, and the resolution of betrayal incidents. Personal Relationships, 17, 253-278. [Download]

Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., Kumashiro, M., & McNulty, J. K. (2010). The doormat effect: When forgiving erodes self-respect and self-concept clarity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98, 734-749. [Download]

Molden, D. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Motivations for promotion and prevention and the role of trust and commitment in interpersonal forgiveness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 46, 255-268. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Slotter, E. B., Oaten, M., & Foshee, V. A. (2009). Self-regulatory failure and intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97, 483-499. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Slotter, E. B. (2009). An I3 Theory analysis of human sex differences in aggression. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 32, 31. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2008). Intimate partner violence perpetration: Insights from the science of self-regulation. In J. P. Forgas, & J. Fitness (Eds.), Social relationships: Cognitive, affective, and motivational processes (pp. 271-288). New York: Psychology Press. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Rusbult, C. E. (2008). Prorelationship motivation: An interdependence theory analysis of situations with conflicting interests. In J. Y. Shah, & W. L. Gardner (Eds.), Handbook of motivation science (pp. 547-560). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2007). Impelling and inhibiting forces in the perpetration of intimate partner violence. Review of General Psychology, 11, 193-207. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Burnette, J. L., & Scissors, L. E. (2007). Vengefully ever after: Destiny beliefs, state attachment anxiety, and forgiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 871-886. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Slotter, E. B. (2007). An attachment theory perspective on the perpetration of intimate partner violence. DePaul Law Review, 56, 895-907. [Download]

Exline, J. J., Baumeister, R. F., Bushman, B. J., Campbell, W. K., & Finkel, E. J. (2004). Too proud to let go: Narcissistic entitlement as a barrier to forgiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 894-912. [Download]

Finkel E. J., Rusbult, C. E., Kumashiro, M., & Hannon, P. A. (2002). Dealing with betrayal in close relationships: Does commitment promote forgiveness? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 956-974. [Download]

• Study 1 of this article was the target of a Registered Replication Report in Perspectives on Psychological Science (Cheung et al., 2016). Although this Report replicated the association of commitment with forgiveness, the experimental commitment prime failed (it did not influence the manipulation check of self-reported commitment). My interpretation: The association of commitment with forgiveness is robust, but the prime effect in Study 1 is not.

Kumashiro, M., Finkel, E. J., & Rusbult, C. E. (2002). Self-respect and pro-relationship behavior in marital relationships. Journal of Personality, 70, 1009-1049. [Download]

Rusbult, C. E., Kumashiro, M., Finkel E. J., & Wildschut, T. (2002). The war of the Roses: An interdependence analysis of betrayal and forgiveness. In P. Noller & J. A. Feeney (Eds.), Understanding Marriage: Developments in the Study of Couple Interaction (pp. 251-281). New York: Cambridge University Press. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Campbell, W. K. (2001). Self-control and accommodation in close relationships: An interdependence analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 263-277. [Download]

Goals ↔ Relationships

Hughes, E. K., Emery, L. F., McGorray, E. L., Gardner, W. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2025). The delusion of the disappearing self? Attachment avoidance and the experience of externally invisible self-loss in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 128(5), 1142–1159.

VanDellen, M., Wright, J., Finkel, E. J., Fitzsimons, G. M., & Hall, A. (2025). Interdependence in shared goal pursuit among established and impromptu dyads: Expectations, allocation, and performance. Frontiers in Social Psychology, 3, 1497295. DOI 10.3389/frsps.2025.1497295

Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2021). Goal transactivity. In Van Lange, P. A. M., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T. (Eds.), Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles (3rd edition, pp. 202–221). New York: Guilford.

Finkel, E. J. (2019). Complementing the sculpting metaphor: Reflections on how relationship partners elicit the best or the worst in each other. Review of General Psychology. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2021). Goal transactivity. In Van Lange, P. A. M., Kruglanski, A. W., & Higgins, E. T. (Eds.), Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles (3rd edition, pp. xxx-yyy). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Hall, A. N. (2018). The I3 Model: A metatheoretical framework for understanding aggression. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 125-130. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2018). Transactive goal dynamics theory: A discipline-wide perspective. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27, 332-338. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M., & vanDellen, M. R. (2016). Self-regulation as a transactive process: Reconceptualizing the unit of analysis for goal setting, pursuit, and outcomes. In K. D. Vohs, & R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (3rd edition, pp. 264-282). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., Sackett, E., & Finkel, E. J. (2016). Transactive goal dynamics theory: A relational goals perspective on work teams and leadership. Review of Organizational Behavior, 36, 135-155. [Download]

Laurin, K., Fitzsimons, G. M., Finkel, E. J., Carswell, K. L., vanDellen, M. R., Hofmann, W., Lambert, N. M., Eastwick, P. W., Fincham, F. D., & Brown, P. C. (2016). Power and the pursuit of a partner’s goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 110, 840-868. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Cheung, E. O., Emery, L. F., Carswell, K. L., & Larson, G. M. (2015). The suffocation model: Why marriage in America is becoming an all-or-nothing institution. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 24, 238-244. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2015). Goal interdependence. Current Opinion in Psychology, 1, 10-13. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., Finkel, E. J., & vanDellen, M. R. (2015). Transactive goal dynamics. Psychological Review. 122, 648-673. [Download]

Hofmann, W., Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2015). Close relationships and self-regulation: How relationship satisfaction facilitates momentary goal pursuit. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 109, 434-452. [Download]

Arriaga, X. B., Kumashiro, M., Finkel. E. J., VanderDrift, L. E., & Luchies, L. B. (2014). Filling the void: Bolstering attachment security in committed relationships. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 5, 398-406. [Download]

Burnette, J. L., Davisson, E. K., Finkel, E. J., Van Tongeren, D. R., Hui, C. M., & Hoyle, R. H. (2014). Self-control and forgiveness: A meta-analytic review. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 5, 443-450. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2014). The I3 Model: Metatheory, theory, and evidence. In J. M. Olson, & M. P. Zanna (Eds.), Advances in experimental social psychology, 49. San Diego: Academic Press. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Hui, C. M., Carswell, K. L., & Larson, G. M. (2014). The suffocation of marriage: Climbing Mount Maslow without enough oxygen. Psychological Inquiry, 25, 1-41. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Larson, G. M., Carswell, K. L., & Hui, C. M. (2014). Marriage at the summit: Response to the commentaries. Psychological Inquiry, 25, 120-145. [Download]

Hui, C. M., Finkel, E. J., Fitzsimons, G. M., Kumashiro, M., & Hofmann, W. (2014). The Manhattan effect: When relationship commitment fails to promote support for partner interests. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106, 546-570. [Download]

Bohns, V. K., Lucas G. M., Molden D. C., Finkel E. J., Coolsen, M. K., Kumashiro M., Rusbult C. E., & Higgins E. T. (2013). Opposites fit: Regulatory focus complementarity and relationship well-being. Social Cognition, 31, 1-14. [Download]

Burnette, J. L., O’Boyle, E., VanEpps, E. M., Pollack, J. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2013). Mindsets matter: A meta-analytic review of the effects of implicit theories on self-regulation. Psychological Bulletin, 139, 655-701. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2013). Intimate partner violence. In J. A. Simpson & L. Campbell (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of close relationships (pp. 452-474). Oxford: New York. [Download]

Hui, C. M., Molden, D. C., & Finkel, E. J. (2013). Loving freedom: Concerns with promotion or prevention and the role of autonomy in relationship well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105, 61-85. [Download]

Burnette, J. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). Buffering against weight gain following dieting setbacks: An implicit theory intervention. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 721-725. [Download]

Denson, T. F., DeWall, C. N., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). Self-control and aggression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21, 20-25. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Slotter, E. B., McNulty, J. K., Pond, R. S., Jr., & Atkins, D. C. (2012). Using I3 theory to clarify when dispositional aggressiveness predicts intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 533-549. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). Outsourcing effort to close others. In L. Campbell, J. G. La Guardia, J. M. Olson, & M. P. Zanna (Eds.), The science of the couple: The Ontario symposium (Vol. 12, pp. 41-57). New York: Psychology Press. [Download]

Slotter, E. B., Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Lambert, N. M., Pond, R. S., Bodenhausen, G. V., & Fincham, F. D. (2012). Putting the brakes on aggression toward a romantic partner: The inhibitory influence of relationship commitment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102, 291-305. [Download]

Stanton, S. E., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). Too tired to take offense: When depletion promotes forgiveness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48, 587-590. [Download]

DeWall, C. N., Finkel, E. J., & Denson, T. F. (2011). Self-control inhibits aggression. Social & Personality Psychology Compass, 458-472. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2011-b). Outsourcing self-regulatory effort to significant others. Psychological Science, 22, 369-375. [Download]

• The central finding in this paper failed to replicate in a compelling replication effort from Briskin, Kopetz, Fitzsimons, and Slatcher, 2018, SPPS. As such, I no longer view the results reported in the original paper as robust.

Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2011). The effects of social relationships on self-regulation. In K. D. Vohs, & R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (2nd ed., pp 390-406). New York: Guilford Press. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2011-a). The effects of self-regulation on social relationships. In K. D. Vohs, & R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Handbook of self-regulation: Research, theory, and applications (2nd ed., pp. 407-421). New York: Guilford Press. [Download]

Johnson, S. E., Richeson, J. A., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). Middle class and marginal? The influence of socioeconomic status on the self-regulatory resources of students at an elite university. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 838-852. [Download]

Luchies, L. B., Finkel, E. J., & Fitzsimons, G. M. (2011). The effects of self-regulatory strength, content, and strategies on close relationships. Journal of Personality, 79, 1251–1279. [Download]

Slotter, E. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). I3 Theory: Instigating, impelling, and inhibiting factors in aggression. In M. Mikulincer, & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Human aggression and violence: Causes, manifestations, and consequences (pp. 35-52). Washington: American Psychological Association. [Download]

Dalton, A. N., Chartrand, T. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). The schema-driven chameleon: How mimicry affects executive and self-regulatory resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. [Download]

Fitzsimons, G. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Interpersonal influences on self-regulation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 19, 101-105 [Download]

Molden, D. M., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Motivations for promotion and prevention and the role of trust and commitment in interpersonal forgiveness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 46, 255-268. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., DeWall, C. N., Slotter, E. B., Oaten, M., & Foshee, V. A. (2009). Self-regulatory failure and intimate partner violence perpetration. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97, 483-499. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Molden, D. C., Johnson, S. E., & Eastwick, P. W. (2009). Regulatory focus and romantic alternatives. In J. P. Forgas, R. F. Baumeister, and D. M. Tice (Eds.), Self-regulation: Cognitive, affective, and motivational processes (pp. 319-335). New York: Psychology Press. [Download]

Molden, D. C., Lucas, G. M., Finkel, E. J., Kumashiro, M., & Rusbult, C. E. (2009). Perceived support for promotion-focused and prevention-focused goals: Associations with well-being in unmarried and married couples. Psychological Science, 20, 787-793. [Download]

Rusbult, C. E., Finkel, E. J., & Kumashiro, M. (2009). The Michelangelo phenomenon. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18, 305-309. [Download]

Rusbult, C. E., Kumashiro, M., Kubacka, K. E., & Finkel, E. J. (2009). “The part of me that you bring out”: Ideal similarity and the Michelangelo phenomenon. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 96, 61-82. [Download]

Slotter, E. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2009). The strange case of sustained dedication to an unfulfilling relationship: Predicting commitment and breakup from attachment anxiety and need fulfillment within relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39, 85-100. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2008). Intimate partner violence perpetration: Insights from the science of self-regulation. In J. P. Forgas, & J. Fitness (Eds.), Social relationships: Cognitive, affective, and motivational processes (pp. 271-288). New York: Psychology Press. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Rusbult, C. E. (2008). Prorelationship motivation: An interdependence theory analysis of situations with conflicting interests. In J. Y. Shah, & W. L. Gardner (Eds.), Handbook of motivation science (pp. 547-560). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Impett, E. A., Strachman, A., Finkel, E. J., & Gable, S. L. (2008). Maintaining Sexual Desire in Intimate Relationships: The Importance of Approach Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94, 808-823. [Download]

Kumashiro, M., Rusbult, C. E., & Finkel, E. J. (2008). Navigating personal and relational concerns: The quest for equilibrium. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 94-110. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2007). Impelling and inhibiting forces in the perpetration of intimate partner violence. Review of General Psychology, 11, 193-207. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Campbell, W. K., & Brunell, A. B. (2006). High-maintenance interaction and self-regulation. In K. D. Vohs, & E. J. Finkel (Eds.), Self and relationships: Connecting intrapersonal and interpersonal processes (pp. 297-316). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Campbell, W. K., Brunell, A. B., Dalton, A. N., Chartrand, T. L., & Scarbeck, S. J. (2006). High-maintenance interaction: Inefficient social coordination impairs self-regulation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 456-475. [Download]

Vohs, K. D., & Finkel, E. J. (2006). Self and Relationships: Connecting Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Processes. New York: Guilford Press. [Amazon.com] [Guilford Press]

Neiss, M. B., Stevenson, J., Sedikides, C., Kumashiro, M., Finkel, E. J., & Rusbult, C. E. (2005). Executive self, self-esteem, and negative affectivity: Relations at the phenotypic and genotypic level. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 89, 593-606. [Download]

Rusbult, C. E., Kumashiro, M., Stocker, S. L., Kirchner, J. L., Finkel, E. J., & Coolsen, M. K. (2005). Self processes in interdependent relationships: Partner affirmation and the Michelangelo phenomenon. Interaction Studies, 6, 375-391. [Download]

Flora, D. B., Finkel, E. J., & Foshee, V. A. (2003). Higher order factor structure of a self-control test: Evidence from a confirmatory factor analysis with polychoric correlations. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 63, 112-127. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Campbell, W. K. (2001). Self-control and accommodation in close relationships: An interdependence analysis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 81, 263-277. [Download]

Sexuality and Romantic Passion

Brady, A., Baker, L. R., Maxwell, J. A., …, Finkel, E. J., …, & Righetti, F. (2026). Women are slightly more sexually satisfied in their romantic relationships than men. Archives of Sexual Behavior. [Download]

Carswell, K. L., Finkel, E. J., & Kumashiro, M. (2019). Creativity and romantic passion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 116, 919-941. [Download]

Carswell, K. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2018). Can you get the magic back? The moderating effect of passion decay beliefs on relationship commitment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 115, 1002-1033. [Download]

Birnbaum, G., & Finkel, E. J. (2015). The magnetism that holds us together: Sexuality and relationship maintenance across relationship development. Current Opinion in Psychology, 1, 29-33. [Download]

Impett, E. A., Strachman, A., Finkel, E. J., & Gable, S. L. (2008). Maintaining Sexual Desire in Intimate Relationships: The Importance of Approach Goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94, 808-823. [Download]

Relationships and Non-Goal-Related Self-Change

Emery, L. F., Gardner, W. L., Carswell, K. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2021). Who are “we”? Couple identity clarity and romantic relationship commitment. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. [Download}

Emery, L. F., Gardner, W. L., Carswell, K. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2018). You can’t see the real me: Attachment avoidance, self-verification, and self-concept clarity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44, 1133-1146. [Download]

Emery, L. F., Gardner, W. L., Finkel, E. J., & Carswell, K. L. (2018). “You’ve changed”: Low self-concept clarity predicts lack of support for partner change. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 44, 318-331. [Download]

Arriaga, X. B., Kumashiro, M., Finkel. E. J., VanderDrift, L. E., & Luchies, L. B. (2014). Filling the void: Bolstering attachment security in committed relationships. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 5, 398-406. [Download]

Slotter, E. B., Gardner, W. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2010). Who am I without you? The influence of romantic breakup on the self-concept. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36, 147-160. [Download]

Mate Evaluation

Eastwick, P. W., Sparks, J., Finkel, E. J., …, & Coles, N. A. (2025). A worldwide test of the predictive validity of ideal partner preference matching. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 128(1), 123–146. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000524

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Joel, S. (2023). Mate evaluation theory. Psychological Review, 130, 211–241.

Eastwick, P. W., Joel, S., Carswell, K. L., Molden, D. C., Finkel, E. J., & Blozis, S. A. (2023). Predicting romantic interest during early relationship development: A preregistered investigation using machine learning. European Journal of Personality, 37, 276-312.

Joel, S., Eastwick, P. W., Allison, C. J., Arriaga, X. B., Baker, Z. G., Bar-Kalifa, E., ... Finkel, E. J., … & Carmichael, C. L. (2020). Machine learning uncovers the most robust self-report predictors of relationship quality across 43 longitudinal couples studies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(32), 19061-19071.

Sparks, J., Daly, C., Wilkey, B. M., Molden, D. C., Finkel, E. J., & Eastwick, P. W. (2020). Negligible evidence that people desire partners who uniquely fit their ideals. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 90, 103968.

Attachment

Hughes, E. K., Emery, L. F., McGorray, E. L., Gardner, W. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2025). The delusion of the disappearing self? Attachment avoidance and the experience of externally invisible self-loss in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 128(5), 1142–1159.

Finkel, E. J., Burnette, J. L., & Scissors, L. E. (2007). Vengefully ever after: Destiny beliefs, state attachment anxiety, and forgiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 871-886. [Download]

Other Relationship Science

McGorray, E. L., Finkel, E. J., & Feinstein, B. A. (2024). Bi+ identity visibility and well-being in the context of romantic relationships. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 11(4), 631–640.

McGorray, E. L., Emery, L. F., Garr-Schultz, A., & Finkel, E. J. (2023). “Mostly White, heterosexual couples”: Examining demographic diversity and reporting practices in relationship science research samples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 125, 316–344.

Olson, J. G., Rick, S. I., Small, D. A., & Finkel, E. J. (2023). Common cents: Merging bank accounts preserves marital quality among newlyweds. Journal of Consumer Research, 50, 704–721.

Emery, L. F., & Finkel, E. J. (2022). Connect or protect? Social class and self-protection in romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 122(4), 683–699.

Emery, L. F., Gardner, W. L., Carswell, K. L., & Finkel, E. J. (2021). Who are “we”? Couple identity clarity and romantic relationship commitment. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 47, 146-160.

Hopwood, C. J., Good, E. W., Levendosky, A. A., Zimmermann, J., Dumat, D., Finkel, E. J., ... & Bleidorn, W. (2021). Realness is a core feature of authenticity. Journal of Research in Personality, 92, 104086.

Vohs, K. D., Schmeichel, B. J., Lohmann, S., Gronau, Q. F., Finley, A. J., Ainsworth, S. E., … Finkel, E. J., … Wagenmakers, E.-J., & Albarracín, D. (2021). A multisite preregistered paradigmatic test of the ego-depletion effect. Psychological Science, 32(10), 1566-1581.

Carswell, K. L., Finkel, E. J., & Kumashiro, M. (2019). Creativity and romantic passion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 116, 919-941. DOI: 10.1037/pspi0000162.

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019). Relationship trajectories: A meta-theoretical framework and theoretical applications [target article]. Psychological Inquiry, 30, 1-28. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019). The relationship trajectories framework: Elaboration and expansion [response to commentaries]. Psychological Inquiry, 30, 48-57. [Download]

Durante, K. M., Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., Gangestad, S. M., & Simpson, J. A. (2016). Pair-bonded relationships and romantic alternatives: Toward an integration of evolutionary and relationship science perspectives. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 53, 1-74. [Download]

Rick, S. I., Small, D. A., & Finkel, E. J. (2011). Fatal (fiscal) attraction: Spendthrifts and tightwads in marriage. Journal of Marketing Research, XLVIII, 228-237. [Download]

Finkel, E. J. (2010). In the pursuit of science. Personal Relationships, 17, 158-160. [Download]

Human-Computer Interaction

Birnbaum, G. E., Mizrahi, M., Hoffman, G., Reis, H. T., Finkel, E. J., & Sass, O. (2016a). Machines as a source of consolation: Robot responsiveness increases approach behavior and desire for companionship. Proceedings of the 11th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI 2016). [Download]

Birnbaum, G. E., Mizrahi, M., Hoffman, G., Reis, H. T., Finkel, E. J., & Sass, O. (2016b). What robots can teach us about intimacy: The reassuring effects of robot responsiveness to human disclosure. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 416-423. [Download]

Evolutionary Psychology

Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W. (2015). Attachment and pairbonding. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 3, 7-11. [Download]

Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2012). The evolutionary armistice: Attachment bonds moderate the function of ovulatory cycle adaptations. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38, 174-184. [Download]

Research Methods: Best Practices, New Methods, Adversarial Collaborations

McGorray, E. L., Emery, L. F., Garr-Schultz, A., & Finkel, E. J. (2023). “Mostly White, heterosexual couples”: Examining demographic diversity and reporting practices in relationship science research samples. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 125, 316–344.

Eastwick, P. W., Finkel, E. J., & Simpson, J. A. (2019). Best practices for testing the predictive validity of ideal partner preference-matching. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 45, 167-181. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2019c). Social psychology: Crisis and renaissance. In E. J. Finkel, and R. F. Baumeister (Eds.), Advanced social psychology: The state of the science (pp. 1-7). New York: Oxford University Press. [Download]

Joel, S., Eastwick, P. W., & Finkel, E. J. (2018). Open sharing of data on close relationships and other sensitive social psychological topics: Challenges, tools, and future directions. Advances in Methods and Practices in Psychological Science, 1, 86-94. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. E., & Reis, H. T. (2017). Replicability and other features of a high-quality science: Toward a balanced and empirical approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113, 244-253. [Download] [Blog post]

Finkel, E. J. (2016). Reflections on the commitment-forgiveness RRR. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11, 765-767. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., & Reis, H. T. (2015). Best research practices in psychology: Illustrating epistemological and pragmatic considerations with the case of relationship science. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108, 275-297. [Download]

DeWall, C. N., Finkel, E. J., Lambert, N. M., Slotter, E. B., Bodenhausen, G. V., Pond, R. S., Jr., Renzetti, C. M., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). The voodoo doll task: Introducing and validating a novel method for studying aggressive inclinations. Aggressive Behavior, 39, 419-439. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., & Eastwick, P. W. (2008). Speed-dating. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 17, 193-197. [Download]

Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., & Matthews, J. (2007). Speed-dating as an invaluable tool for studying romantic attraction: A methodological primer. Personal Relationships, 14, 149-166. [Download]

Narcissism

Finkel, E. J., Campbell, W. K., Buffardi, L. E., Kumashiro, M., & Rusbult, C. E. (2009). The metamorphosis of Narcissus: Communal activation promotes relationship commitment among narcissists. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35, 1271-1284. [Download]

Exline, J. J., Baumeister, R. F., Bushman, B. J., Campbell, W. K., & Finkel, E. J. (2004). Too proud to let go: Narcissistic entitlement as a barrier to forgiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 894-912. [Download]

Campbell, W. K., Brunell, A. B., & Finkel, E. J. (2006). Narcissism, interpersonal self-regulation, and romantic relationships: An agency model approach. In K. D. Vohs, & E. J. Finkel (Eds.), Self and relationships: Connecting intrapersonal and interpersonal processes (pp. 57-83). New York: Guilford. [Download]

Campbell, W. K., Foster, C. A., & Finkel, E. J. (2002). Does self-love lead to love for others?: A story of narcissistic game-playing. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83, 340–354. [Download]