Verified by Psychology Today

Bella DePaulo Ph.D.

About

Bella DePaulo (Ph.D., Harvard, 1979) is a social psychologist and the author of Single at Heart (Apollo), Singled Out: How Singles Are Stereotyped, Stigmatized, and Ignored, and Still Live Happily Ever After (St. Martin's Press), How We Live Now: Redefining Home and Family in the 21st Century (Atria), and other books. Atlantic magazine described Dr. DePaulo as “America’s foremost thinker and writer on the single experience.” Her TEDx talk, "What no one ever told you about people who are single," has been viewed more than a million times. In her writings, DePaulo has drawn from social science data to challenge the stereotypes of people who are single and explain why so many single people are flourishing. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, such as the James McKeen Cattell Award and the Research Scientist Development Award.

DePaulo has more than 150 scholarly publications and has served in various leadership positions in professional organizations. She has written op-ed essays and other articles for publications such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, NBC, CNN, Time magazine, the Atlantic, New York magazine, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. Bella DePaulo has discussed the place of singles in society on radio and television, including NPR and The Today Show, and her work has been described in newspapers (such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal) and magazines (such as the New Yorker, New York magazine, Atlantic magazine, the Economist, AARP magazine, Time magazine, and many others). She is an Academic Affiliate in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, UCSB. Visit her website at BellaDePaulo.com.

Books by Bella DePaulo Ph.D.
Recent Posts
Couples Have “The One”; Singles Have “The Ones”

Single people are often warned that if they stay single, they won’t have anyone to rely on in a crisis. Yet in reality, they often have many people they can turn to, rather than just one.

Single people are often warned that if they stay single, they won’t have anyone to rely on in a crisis. Yet in reality, they often have many people they can turn to, rather than just one.

How Someone Can Be Married but Still Single at Heart

Some married people identify as "single at heart" because they wish they were single. But others are happy to stay coupled—yet still consider themselves "single at heart." How can this be?

Some married people identify as "single at heart" because they wish they were single. But others are happy to stay coupled—yet still consider themselves "single at heart." How can this be?

Single People Don’t Just Face Personal Bias

The ways that single people are disadvantaged go way beyond everyday slights. Their challenges are greater, and because of that, their triumphs are more impressive.

The ways that single people are disadvantaged go way beyond everyday slights. Their challenges are greater, and because of that, their triumphs are more impressive.

Why Some People Thrive as Singles

People who are “single at heart” are happy and flourishing because they are single, not in spite of it. They have strengths and advantages that have gone unrecognized for too long.

People who are “single at heart” are happy and flourishing because they are single, not in spite of it. They have strengths and advantages that have gone unrecognized for too long.

Young People Want TV, Movies With More Friends, Less Romance

Research shows young people want to see more stories about friendship and aromantic or asexual characters in the media. They think romantic and sexual themes sometimes seem forced.

Research shows young people want to see more stories about friendship and aromantic or asexual characters in the media. They think romantic and sexual themes sometimes seem forced.