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Our research challenges the notion that certain relationship behaviors are universally beneficial or harmful. Instead, we demonstrate that the implications of various relationship processes depend on the context in which they occur.

Much of how we think and feel about our relationships is automatic – frequently outside of our control and awareness. Using innovative measurement techniques and longitudinal studies, we explore how these automatic processes shape relationship outcomes.

Sexual satisfaction plays a crucial role in relationship well-being. Our research examines how sexual dynamics contribute to how couples maintain sexual and relational satisfaction over time.

The early years of marriage represent a critical period for relationship development and stability. Through intensive longitudinal studies, we track how couples navigate the transition to marriage and establish lasting relationship patterns.

Our research investigates the bidirectional relationship between physiological processes and relationship dynamics. We examine how biological mechanisms influence relationship functioning, and conversely, how relationship experiences affect physical and mental health outcomes.

More publications about health and relationships coming soon! If you're interested in ongoing projects on the intersection of health and relationships, please contact Austin Parker at aparker@psy.fsu.edu for more information

Publications coming soon! If you're interested in ongoing projects regarding the impacts of AI on human relationships and human-AI relationship formation, please contact Michael Irias at irias@psy.fsu.edu for more information

Select Publications

Context in Relationships

McNulty, J. K., Meltzer, A. L., Neff, L. A., & Karney, B. R. (2021). How both partners' individual differences, stress, and behavior predict change in relationship satisfaction: Extending the VSA model. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(27), e2101402118.

McNulty, J. K., & Dugas, A. (2019). A dyadic perspective on gratitude sheds light on both its benefits and its costs: Evidence that low gratitude acts as a "weak link". Journal of Family Psychology, 33(7), 876.

McNulty, J. K. (2016). Highlighting the contextual nature of interpersonal relationships. In J. M. Olson & M. P. Zanna (Eds.) Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 54, pp. 247-315). Academic Press.

McNulty, J. K. (2016). Should spouses be demanding less from marriage? A contextual perspective on the implications of interpersonal standards. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 42(4), 444-457.

McNulty, J. K., & Russell, V. M. (2016). Forgive and forget, or forgive and regret? Whether forgiveness leads to less or more offending depends on offender agreeableness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 42(5), 616–631.

McNulty, J. K., & Fincham, F. D. (2012). Beyond positive psychology? Toward a contextual view of psychological processes and well-being. American psychologist, 67, 101-110.

McNulty, J. K., & Russell, V. M. (2010). When "negative" behaviors are positive: A contextual analysis of the long-term effects of problem-solving behaviors on changes in relationship satisfaction. Journal of personality and social psychology, 98, 587-604.

McNulty, J. K. (2010). When positive processes hurt relationships. Current directions in psychological science, 19, 167-171.

McNulty, J. K. (2008). Forgiveness in marriage: Putting the benefits into context. Journal of family psychology, 22, 171-175.

McNulty, J. K., O'Mara, E. M., & Karney B. R. (2008). Benevolent cognitions as a strategy of relationship maintenance: "Don't sweat the small stuff"...but it is not all small stuff. Journal of personality and social psychology, 94, 631-646.

McNulty, J. K. (2008). Forgiveness in marriage: putting the benefits into context. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(1), 171.

McNulty, J. K., & Karney, B. R. (2004). Positive expectations in the early years of marriage: Should couples expect the best or brace for the worst? Journal of personality and social psychology, 86, 729-743.

Automatic Processes

Faure, R., McNulty, J. K., & Karremans, J. C. (2024). Automatic partner attitudes: Sources, implications, and future directions. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 18(1), e12887.

Olson, M. A., McNulty, J. K., March, D. S., Joiner, T. E., Rogers, M. L., & Hicks, L. L. (2022). Automatic and controlled antecedents of suicidal ideation and action: A dual-process conceptualization of suicidality. Psychological review, 129(2), 388.

Hicks, L. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2019). The unbearable automaticity of being... in a close relationship. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(3), 254-259.

McNulty, J. K., Olson, M. A., & Joiner Jr, T. E. (2019). Implicit interpersonal evaluations as a risk factor for suicidality: Automatic spousal attitudes predict changes in the probability of suicidal thoughts. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 117(5), 978.

McNulty, J. K., Olson, M. A., Jones, R. E., & Acosta, L. (2017). Automatic associations between one's partner and one's affect as the proximal mechanism of change in relationship satisfaction: Evidence from evaluative conditioning. Psychological Science, 28, 1031-1040.

McNulty, J. K., & Olson, M. A. (2015). Integrating automatic processes into theories of relationships. Current opinion in psychology, 1, 107-112.

McNulty, J. K., Baker, L. R., & Olson, M. A. (2014). Implicit self-evaluations predict changes in implicit partner evaluations. Psychological science, 25, 1649-1647.

McNulty, J. K., Olson, M. A., Meltzer, A. L., & Shaffer, M. J. (2013). Though they may be unaware, newlyweds implicitly know whether their marriage will be satisfying. Science, 342, 1119-1120.

Sexuality in Relationships

Breedin, O. W, Meltzer, A. L., Turner, J. A., Hicks, L. L., French, J. E., Altgelt, E. E., & McNulty, J. K. (in press). Sexual afterglow: How long does it last and does it vary by the relative importance of sex, who initiates it, or who rejects it? Social Psychological and Personality Science.

Zhao, C., McNulty, J. K., Turner, J. A., Hicks, L. L., & Meltzer, A. L. (2022). Evidence of a bidirectional association between daily sexual and relationship satisfaction that is moderated by daily stress. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(8), 3791-3806.

McNulty, J. K., Maxwell, J. A., Meltzer, A. L., & Baumeister, R. F. (2019). Sex-differentiated changes in sexual desire predict marital dissatisfaction. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48, 2473-2489.

Maxwell, J. A., & McNulty, J. K. (2019). No longer in a dry spell: The developing understanding of how sex influences romantic relationships. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(1), 102-107.

Altgelt, E. E., Reyes, M. A., French, J. E., Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2018). Who is sexually faithful? Own and partner personality traits as predictors of infidelity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 35(4), 600-614.

Meltzer, A. L., Makhanova, A., Hicks, L. L., French, J. E., McNulty, J. K., & Bradbury, T. N. (2017). Quantifying the sexual afterglow: The lingering benefits of sex and their implications for pair-bonded relationships. Psychological Science, 28(5), 587-598.

McNulty, J. K., Wenner, C. A., & Fisher, T. D. (2016). Longitudinal associations among relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sex in early marriage. Archives of sexual behavior, 45, 85-97.

Meltzer, A. L., & McNulty, J. K. (2010). Body image and marital satisfaction: evidence for the mediating role of sexual frequency and sexual satisfaction. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(2), 156.

Little, K. C., McNulty, J. K., & Russell, V. M. (2010). Sex buffers intimates against the negative implications of attachment insecurity. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 36(4), 484-498.

Newlywed Couples

McNulty, J. K., & Widman, L. (2014). Sexual narcissism and infidelity in early marriage. Archives of sexual behavior, 43, 1315-1325.

McNulty, J. K., Neff, L. A., & Karney, B. R. (2008). Beyond initial attraction: physical attractiveness in newlywed marriage. Journal of family psychology, 22(1), 135.

McNulty, J. K., & Karney, B. R. (2004). Positive expectations in the early years of marriage: Should couples expect the best or brace for the worst?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 86(5), 729.

Biological Processes and Health in Relationships

Makhanova, A., McNulty, J. K., Eckel, L. A., Nikonova, L., Bartz, J. A., & Hammock, E. A. (2021). CD38 is associated with bonding-relevant cognitions and relationship satisfaction over the first 3 years of marriage. Scientific Reports, 11, 1-13.

Makhanova, A., McNulty, J. K., Nikonova, L., Eckel, L. & Maner, J. K. (2018). Testosterone reactivity in response to partners' oppositional behaviors in marriage. Hormones and Behavior, 105, 22-27.

Reynolds, T., Makhanova, A., Marcinkowska, U., Jasienska, G., McNulty, J. K., Eckel, L. Nikonova, L., Maner, J. K. (2018). Progesterone and women's anxiety across the menstrual cycle. Hormones and Behavior, 102, 34-40.

Maner, J. K., Dittmann, A. Meltzer, A. L. & McNulty, J. K. (2017). Life history strategies and dysregulated weight management: Implications for obesity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114, 8517-8522.

Maranges, H., & McNulty, J. K. (2017). The rested relationship: Sleep benefits marital evaluations. Journal of Family Psychology, 31, 117-122.

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