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Relationship & soft
skills research, made accessible.

Science-backed guidance from social dynamics, linguistics & modern soft skills to help you build, develop and maintain relationships.

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What do we do?

We write and publish independent research, think pieces and documentation on topics like:

Psychology

Sociology

Sociolinguistics

Social dynamics

Applied pragmatics

Relationship development

Dating & culture

Persuasion

Behaviour economics

Charisma

Linguistic philosophy

Generative language

Rapport building

Evidence-based insights
into things like:


Selective Synonymy

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The linguistic phenomenon that leads us to choose one word over another – and why it matters.

Plausible Deniability

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A concept in social dynamics that liars use to cover up their deceit – and how to spot it.

Pre – Suppositions

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How our sentence composition creates implicit & sneaky assumptions we can use to steer conversations.

Relationship Roadmap

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A clear start to finish progression of a typical romantic timeline – for benchmarks or a checklist.

Emotional Intimacy

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Basic fundamentals of human to human connection, from vulnerability to deep intimate bonds.

Perlocution Metrics

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Combining science and linguistic philosophy to determine how people perceive our speech.

Overview

Intermediate

In-depth

Linguistics

Persuasion

Philosophy

Deep insights.
Practical understanding.

Content and guides structured
by complexity & experience level.

Learn how we structure our research

Private topics,
public education.

Open source information on
the obscure and hard to learn.

Our mission statement

Applied pragmatics

Sociolinguistics

Persuasion

Relationship development

Behaviour economics

Linguistic philosophy

Generative language

Rapport building

Sociology

Psychology

Charisma

Consultation on content
or composition.

Hands-on instruction for soft skills and
linguistic automation.

Learn more about consulting

About the team &
the author, Cain Parish

8+ years of industry experience.

About Cain Parish
Black and white headshot of writer Cain Parish educating on topics of social dynamics, emotions, self-improvement and relationships

Cain Parish

Australian Author/Researcher

Browse our latest articles:

8 Steps for Handling Conflict Resolution and Emotions in Healthy Relationships

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by

Cain Parish

Evidence-based strategies for managing conflict and emotions in relationships that turn disagreements into opportunities for deeper intimacy between partners.

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How To Do The Most With Words – A Guide To Selective Synonyms

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by

Cain Parish

Selective synonymy is the process by which we select and use one word over another. Learn about how context and connotation inform our language.

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The Relationship Roadmap – 2 Categories for a Healthy Relationship

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by

Cain Parish

A comprehensive breakdown of typical stages in romantic relationship development.

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Should You Compromise In A Relationship?

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by

Cain Parish

Attitudes towards a relationship can inform success, failure and the lived experience of all involved.

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How To Be Attractive, aka Why Goth Girls Are Hot

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by

Cain Parish

Being attractive is about inspiring interest – knowing how to act in an appreciable way towards your partner.

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What are Presuppositions? Examples, Contexts and 5 Different Types

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by

Cain Parish

Presuppositions – a technique to subtly frame conversations by embedding implicit assumptions, allowing people to influence and persuade.

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Understanding and Cultivating Friendships: A Guide in 10 Parts

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by

Cain Parish

For some – genuine social relationships can be confusing. Here’s how to understand and develop platonic friendships.

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Understanding Social Dynamics: A Comprehensive Guide in 6 Parts

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by

Cain Parish

This guide will examine the intricacies of human interaction, offering knowledge that can positively impact your personal and professional relationships.

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Influence Psychology: A Comprehensive Exploration in 5 Parts

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by

Cain Parish

Influence psychology explains why certain individuals possess a natural ability to persuade others. This is the powerful force that shapes our daily interactions and decision-making processes.

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Empathic Listening in Relationships: Meaning, Examples, and 10 Easy Steps

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by

Cain Parish

The act of listening that enhances communication and relationships through active conversational participation.

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Insecurity in Relationships – How to Overcome It and Build Confidence

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by

Cain Parish

Insecurity can hamper your relationships by injecting a degree of uncertainty into your dealings with others. Learn how to deal with it.

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How to Move On After a Breakup – Healing Your Heart and Finding Strength

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Cain Parish

A common question from those suffering heartbreak is always ‘How do I move on after a breakup?’. This is a jumping-off point.

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Push Pull Communication: Definition, Concept, Origins in Social Dynamics & Seduction

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by

Cain Parish

Push pull communication – a communication technique that alternates between emotional warmth and detachment, often used for influence and attraction.

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What Is A Power Dynamic? Psychological Self-Defense #2

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by

Cain Parish

Power dynamics exist in all relationships. Learn about your psychological self-defense and prevent them from being abused around you.

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What Is Cold Approaching? The Complete 3 Part Guide

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Cain Parish

Learn how to cold approach – initiating conversations with complete strangers.

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How To Date With Trauma – 3 Ways To Keep Baggage From Interfering

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by

Cain Parish

Successfully dating with trauma requires self-awareness, emotional regulation, and proactive healing rather than relying on a partner to fix past wounds.

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How To Date – Dating Advice vs. Dating Success

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Cain Parish

Dating requires adaptability, not rigid strategies – learn to find success from reading and responding to unique interpersonal dynamics.

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Tinder & Self-Esteem: How Dating Apps Ruined My Self-Image

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Cain Parish

Escaping the grip of dating apps revealed that real attraction isn’t measured by algorithms but by genuine human connection.

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Goal Oriented Thinking: 6 Steps To Achieve Your Goals

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Cain Parish

Goal-oriented thinking is a mental framework designed to simplify decision-making by working backward from a desired outcome.

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How To Escape the Friendzone and Go From Friends to Dating

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Cain Parish

Learn how the ‘friend zone’ is constructed as a mental model and what to do if you’re inside it.

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How To Use Tinder and Other Apps Without Damaging Your Self-Esteem

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Cain Parish

How Tinder and similar dating apps manipulate user engagement by exploiting self-esteem and gamifying your attraction.

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The Relationship Anarchy Smorgasbord: What Is It and How Does It Work?

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Cain Parish

What is the relationship anarchy smorgasbord? A concise method for picking what you want for your relationships.

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How To Be A Good Listener – Active Listening in 5 Steps

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by

Cain Parish

Listening is more than just hearing the words spoken by someone. It’s about understanding and interpretation.

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How to Flirt with Someone You Just Met: A Full Guide To Flirting

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Cain Parish

Flirting is a blend of confidence, communication, and social awareness, allowing individuals to express attraction while gauging interest in a playful and engaging way. Learn how to flirt.

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Why Doesn’t My Boyfriend Communicate?

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Cain Parish

Diagnose issues in speaking the language of your partner.

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How To Dress For A Date – Making The Right First Impression

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Cain Parish

Learn what factors are involved in the impression made by how you choose to dress – on dates and otherwise.

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How To Deal With A Clingy Partner – Managing Fear and Insecurities

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Cain Parish

Clinginess in relationships is often a response to insecurity or past trauma, manifesting as a need for constant reassurance.

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How to Deal With Rejection: A Guide to Emotional Resilience

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Cain Parish

Rejection activates emotional pain responses tied to past experiences. Here’s what to do with that.

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First Date Ideas: How To Make a Memorable First Impression

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Cain Parish

Use situational awareness and smart thinking to work out the best date ideas for you and the person you’re looking to meet.

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Psychological Self-Defense: What Is Passive Aggression?

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Cain Parish

Learn about passive aggression – an indirect way of expressing hostility and negative sentiment.

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The Zero-Sum Game: Making Men Feel Better

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Cain Parish

How concern for men’s attitudes and mental health can be a topic worth discussing.

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Mental Health Makes Everything Easier – How To Get Out Of Your Own Way

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Cain Parish

Mental health improvements don’t offer instant fixes but rather, create the foundation for sustainable progress.

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What Are Open Relationships And Polyamory – A Comprehensive Guide

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Cain Parish

Multiple relationships can coexist while balancing emotional complexity and situational nuance. Here’s how.

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Why Selfless Relationships Last Longer – How To Be Less Selfish

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Cain Parish

Successful relationships are built when both partners prioritise giving and collaboration over selfish desires.

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Trusting Your Gut: How To Listen To Your Intuition and Make Better Decisions

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Cain Parish

Developing and refining intuition allows for quicker, more confident decision-making.

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The Bad Behaviour Problem: Why Good People Do Bad Things

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Cain Parish

Unexamined impulses, rooted in past defense mechanisms, can lead to self-sabotage.

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Assertiveness Training: How to Stand Up For Yourself Without Being Aggressive

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Cain Parish

Assertiveness is a skill you don’t need all the time, but is mandatory to have in your toolbelt.

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What is Relationship Anarchy? Exploring Non-Traditional Relationships

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Cain Parish

Relationship anarchy prioritises personal autonomy and fluid boundaries, enabling partners to define their relationships freely while emphasising communication, consent and comfort of all involved.

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How Long Should You Date Before Getting into a Relationship?

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Cain Parish

Building a strong foundation through emotional connection, communication, and aligned values is important. How long does that take?

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How To Develop Good Communication In A Relationship

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Cain Parish

Communication in relationships is not just about speaking but about ensuring clarity, emotional safety, and constructive dialogue

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How to Give Compliments on a Date: The Art of Genuine Appreciation

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Cain Parish

Thoughtful compliments work best when they acknowledge a date’s unique qualities in a timely and relevant manner.

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How to Date Someone with a Different Love Language

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Cain Parish

Navigating different love languages in a relationship involves recognising your partner’s preferences and learning to express love in ways they value.

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The Evergreen Statement

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by

Cain Parish

This is my evergreen statement – a general stance and philosophy towards my relationships that I hope carries into the rest of my life.

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The Ethical Whore

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Cain Parish

Ethical promiscuity is not about the number of partners but about intentionality, responsibility, and mutual respect.

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Lasting Love and Happiness: Strategies From A Pick-Up Artist

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by

Cain Parish

Understanding your relationship patterns requires re-parenting yourself and ensuring your choices stem from self-awareness.

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How To Break Up With Someone And Minimize The Pain

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Cain Parish

A breakup should be intentional, well-planned, and handled with emotional clarity to minimize harm and facilitate closure.

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The Incel Trajectory: How Men Turn Into Monsters

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by

Cain Parish

The business of self-improvement has turned personal growth into a commodity, prioritising profit over real transformation.

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How To Have a Healthy And Safe Casual Relationship

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Cain Parish

Casual dating is about balancing excitement with precaution, ensuring safety without sacrificing fun.

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When and How To Have ‘The Talk’ In Your Relationship

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Cain Parish

Defining a relationship requires direct communication – waiting for clarity without asking ensures frustration.

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Bad Sex Is Better Than A Good Breakup – Sleeping Together Early

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Cain Parish

Physical compatibility is a crucial factor in relationships, and testing it early can prevent emotional investment in a bad match.

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How To Get Girls To Like You By Looking At Things On The Internet

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by

Cain Parish

Seeking dating advice online often reinforces harmful biases instead of encouraging meaningful self-growth.

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How To Choose Your Own Values and Be The Person You Want

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Cain Parish

Define your values intentionally and strive toward them, using self-awareness as a guide for growth rather than a source of regret.

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Psychological Self-Defense: Plausible Deniability and How To Deal With It

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by

Cain Parish

Plausible deniability allows manipulators to avoid accountability by subtly directing conversations – learning to recognise and confront this tactic is the best defense.

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