An article by Gary Lewandowski, Jr. Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychology, was recognized as one of the “The Best Articles of 2021,” by “Greater Good Magazine.” His article, “10 Pillars of a Strong Relationship,” was originally published on March 15, 2021.
In their year-end review, the editors note, “More people have read Greater Good magazine since the start of the pandemic than during any other period of our two-decade history. We’re not entirely sure this is good news. People around the world faced formidable emotional and social challenges as we all trudged through yet another year of COVID-19. And we at the Greater Good Science Center can see your distress in our site-traffic patterns, as readers turn to us for help in navigating issues like isolation, vaccination, and social conflict.”
Lewandowski’s article encourages a shift in perspective, suggesting romantic partners “start by paying more attention to the facets of your relationship that are stable, consistent, and comfortable. Those peaceful, drama-free, status-quo elements are easy to forget, but they’re sources of strength.”
He also offers a 10-point checklist of “pillars of healthy relationships that research suggests are key to a satisfying, lasting bond.”
Lewandowski focuses his research, writing, and public speaking on three main areas: romantic relationships, self and identity, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. He has published over 50 academic articles and book chapters, given over 120 conference presentations, authored over 150 articles for mass media outlets. Most recently, he is the author of “Stronger Than You Think: The 10 Blind Spots That Undermine Your Relationship…and How to See Past Them.“
“Greater Good” magazine is published by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Since 2001, the GGSC has been at the fore of a new scientific movement to explore the roots of happy and compassionate individuals, strong social bonds, and altruistic behavior—the science of a meaningful life.