New? Start here.

Communication & culture
research, made accessible.

Evidence-based insights from communication theory, linguistics, and behavioral science to make your professional and personal lives better.

Learn for free Join the newsletter

What is this site about?

Cain Parish is a communication analyst & author, developing essays, books & consulting on topics such as:

Psychology

Sociology

Sociolinguistics

Social dynamics

Applied pragmatics

Relationship development

Dating & culture

Persuasion

Behaviour economics

Charisma

Linguistic philosophy

Generative language

Rapport building


Selective Synonymy

Read more

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

Plausible Deniability

Read more

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

Pre – Suppositions

Read more

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

Relationship Roadmap

Read more

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

Speech Act Theory

Read more

How the structure of human language works, and how to use it to win friends & influence people.

Perlocution Metrics

Read more

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

Stay informed

Receive updates on new research, book releases and insights into strategic communication and personal culture.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Your information is never shared.

Overview

Intermediate

In-depth

Linguistics

Persuasion

Philosophy

Deep insights.
Practical understanding.

Content and guides structured
by complexity & experience level.

See our essays & thought pieces

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.

We offer strategic or tactical advisory on external and internal communications.

Inquire 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/Communication Analyst

Browse the latest essays:

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

Published

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.

Read more

The Relationship Roadmap – 2 Categories for a Healthy Relationship

Published

by

Cain Parish

A comprehensive breakdown of typical stages in romantic relationship development.

Read more

Should You Compromise In A Relationship?

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

How To Be Attractive, aka Why Goth Girls Are Hot

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

What are Presuppositions? Examples, Contexts and 5 Different Types

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

What Is Cold Approaching? The Complete 3 Part Guide

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

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.

Read more

How To Date – Dating Advice vs. Dating Success

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

Goal Oriented Thinking: 6 Steps To Achieve Your Goals

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

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.

Read more

Why Doesn’t My Boyfriend Communicate?

Published

by

Cain Parish

Diagnose issues in speaking the language of your partner.

Read more

How to Deal With Rejection: A Guide to Emotional Resilience

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

Psychological Self-Defense: What Is Passive Aggression?

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

The Zero-Sum Game: Making Men Feel Better

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

What Are Open Relationships And Polyamory – A Comprehensive Guide

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

Why Selfless Relationships Last Longer – How To Be Less Selfish

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

The Bad Behaviour Problem: Why Good People Do Bad Things

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

What is Relationship Anarchy? Exploring Non-Traditional Relationships

Published

by

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.

Read more

How Long Should You Date Before Getting into a Relationship?

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

How To Develop Good Communication In A Relationship

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

The Evergreen Statement

Published

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.

Read more

The Ethical Whore

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

The Incel Trajectory: How Men Turn Into Monsters

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

How To Have a Healthy And Safe Casual Relationship

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

by

Cain Parish

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

Read more

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

Published

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.

Read more