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Building Deeper Connections: 160 deep questions to ask your partner

Table of Contents

Introduction

Deep conversations with your partner have become much more important in the face of digital distractions and busy schedules with which many are often struggling. It is critical when engaging with the complexities of relationships, such as asking thoughtful and probing questions to strengthen bonds, foster intimacy, and nurture a long-lasting connection. This all-inclusive guide offers 160 questions to pose to your partner that can be used to create deep and meaningful discussions, invite vulnerability, and deepen your understanding of one another.

Key Facts and Figures

Why deep questions matter.

But before I jump into the questions, let me say why asking deep questions is so important in a relationship: thanks to recent research at the Gottman Institute, couples who see each other regularly with meaningful conversations are reported to have significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Indeed, their 2023 study found that as many as 78% of couples experienced improved relationship quality after adding deep discussions to their repertoire.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development is indeed one of the longest studies ever conducted on human happiness. Relationships have always been highly correlated with general well-being, and these connections become even more vital as we face the challenges of modern life.

How to Use These Questions

The 160 questions here shouldn’t be done simultaneously, racing through them in one sitting. Consider these as a resource to draw from over time. Here are some tips for how you can incorporate these questions into your relationship:

• Schedule a block of time: Choose a time when you and your partner are relaxed and distraction-free.
• Make the setting comfortable: Find a cozy spot where both feel at ease.
• Practice active listening: Listen to your partner with all ears and zero interruptions when they try to convey their thoughts.
• Be open and honest: Authentic responses are what will actually go into the development of a real connection.
• Respect boundaries: If you don’t like the question, no problem; just skip that one or revisit it when you think the right time has come.
• Follow up: Do not let these questions be an excuse for mere small talk. Use them to open up larger discussions.

Let’s explore each category in detail:

Childhood and Family

1. What’s your earliest childhood memory? 2. How would you describe your relationship with your parents growing up? 3. Who was your biggest role model in your family, and why? 4. What family traditions did you have growing up that you want to continue or avoid? 5. How did your childhood experiences shape your view of relationships? 6. What’s a significant event from your childhood that you think defined who you are today? 7. How do you think your birth order affected your personality? 8. What’s the most valuable lesson your parents taught you? 9. What would it be if you could change one thing about your upbringing? 10. How have your family’s cultural background influenced you? 11. What was your favorite family vacation and why? 12. How did your family handle conflict when you were growing up? 13. What’s a family secret you’ve never shared with anyone outside your family? 14. How has your relationship with your siblings evolved over time? 15. What aspect of your parents’ relationship do you admire most? 16. How did your family’s financial situation impact your childhood? 17. What’s a childhood dream you had that you’ve never shared before? 18. How did your family approach education and learning? 19. What’s the most challenging aspect of your family dynamics? 20. If you could relive one day from your childhood, which would it be and why?

Personal Values and Beliefs

21. What do you consider to be your core values in life? 22. How have your beliefs about spirituality or religion changed over time? 23. What moral dilemma have you faced, and how did you resolve it? 24. How do you define success, and has this definition changed as you’ve grown older? 25. What’s a belief you held strongly in the past that you’ve since changed your mind about? 26. How do you think your political views have been shaped by your life experiences? 27. What’s the most important quality you look for in a friend? 28. How do you approach making difficult decisions? 29. What role does forgiveness play in your life? 30. How do you define happiness, and what makes you truly happy? 31. What cause or issue are you passionate about, and why? 32. How do you balance personal ambition with concern for others? 33. What’s your philosophy on work-life balance? 34. How do you approach personal growth and self-improvement? 35. What’s your stance on social media and its role in our lives? 36. How do you define loyalty in relationships? 37. What’s your view on money and its importance in life? 38. How do you approach environmental issues and sustainability? 39. What’s your perspective on aging and how society treats older individuals? 40. How do you define love, and how has this definition evolved over time?

Life Goals and Aspirations

41. How do you balance short-term pleasures with long-term goals? 42. How do you define personal success, separate from societal expectations? 43. How do you envision your ideal life in 10 years? 44. How do you hope to grow or change as a person in the coming years? 45. How do you stay motivated when working towards long-term goals? 46. How would you spend your time if money were no object? 47. If you could be remembered for just one thing, what would you want it to be? 48. What would it be if you could change one thing about the world? 49. If you could go back in time and give your younger self advice, what would it be? 50. If you could master any skill instantly, what would it be and why? 51. What legacy do you hope to leave behind? 52. What cause or organization would you like to contribute more to? 53. What dream have you put on hold, and why haven’t you pursued it yet? 54. What fear might you like to overcome, and how might it change your life? 55. What’s a goal you’ve achieved that you’re most proud of? 56. What hobby or interest would you like to explore more deeply? 57. What’s a personal challenge you’d like to overcome in the next year? 58. What place have you always dreamed of living, and why haven’t you moved there? 59. What risk have you always wanted to take but haven’t? 60. What’s your biggest life goal right now?

Relationship Dynamics

61. How do you balance maintaining your individuality with being part of a couple? 62. How do you define a healthy relationship? 63. How do you envision our relationship evolving over the next few years? 64 How do you feel about the division of responsibilities in our relationship? 65 How do you feel about the level of intimacy in our relationship? 66 How do you prefer to receive and express love? 67 How can we better support each other’s individual growth? 68 How do you think we can improve our communication? 69 How can we keep the spark alive in our relationship? 70 How do you think we handle external pressures or influences on our relationship? 71 What’s a boundary you think is important to maintain in our relationship? 72 What’s a challenging aspect of our relationship that you think we need to work on? 73 What’s a shared goal you’d like us to work towards? 74 How would you like to grow together as a couple? 75 What’s something you admire about our relationship that you’d like to see more of? 76 What have you always wanted to tell me but haven’t? 77 What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through our relationship? 78 What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned from past relationships? 79 What’s your approach to handling conflicts in our relationship? 80 What’s your biggest fear in our relationship?

Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness

81. How do you approach making amends when you’ve hurt someone? 82. How do you balance being honest about your feelings with being considerate of others? 83. How do you cultivate empathy in your daily life? 84. How do you handle feelings of jealousy or envy? 85. How do you maintain your sense of self in difficult situations? 86. How do you practice gratitude in your daily life? 87. How do you practice self-care and maintain your mental health? 88. How do you recognize and manage your own biases or prejudices? 89. How do you typically handle stress or difficult emotions? 90. How has your emotional response to situations changed as you age? 91. What’s a compliment you have difficulty accepting, and why? 92. What’s a fear or insecurity you’ve overcome, and how did you do it? 93. What habit or behavior are you trying to change about yourself? 94. What’s a misconception people often have about you? 95. What’s a personal boundary you’ve had to set, and how did it affect your relationships? 96. What’s a personal insecurity you’re working on overcoming? 97. What personal strength are you proud of, and how did you develop it? 98. What situation did you wish you had responded to differently emotionally? 99. What’s an aspect of your emotional life you’d like to improve? 100. What’s an emotion you find challenging to express, and why?

Past Experiences and Lessons Learned

105. How has a travel experience changed your worldview? 106. How has your cultural or ethnic background influenced your life experiences? 107. How has your definition of happiness changed based on your life experiences? 108. How has your definition of success evolved based on your experiences? 109. How has your perspective on family changed as you’ve grown older? 110. How has your understanding of love and relationships evolved through your experiences? 111. What’s a book, movie, or artwork that profoundly impacted your life, and how? 112. What childhood dream have you fulfilled, and how did the reality compare to your expectations? 113. What’s a moment of kindness from a stranger that you’ve never forgotten? 114. What’s a personal loss that has significantly affected your life perspective? 115. What advice did you receive that you initially dismissed but later found valuable? 116. What’s a pivotal moment in your life that changed your perspective? 117. What prejudice or bias have you overcome, and how did you do it? 118. What’s a relationship (romantic or platonic) that taught you an important lesson? 119. What’s a risk you took that didn’t pay off, and what did you learn from it? 120. What’s a skill or knowledge area you wish you had pursued earlier in life?

Intimacy and Connection

121. How do you define emotional intimacy? 122. How do you feel about discussing our sex life with friends or others? 123. How do you feel about public displays of affection? 124. How might aging affect our intimate life, and how can we prepare? 125. How do you think external factors (work, stress, etc.) affect our intimate life? 126. How do you think our intimacy has evolved since the beginning of our relationship? 127. How do you think we can better communicate our needs and desires? 128. How do you think we can deepen our emotional connection? 129. How do you think we can maintain intimacy during challenging times? 130. How has your view of physical intimacy changed over time? 131. What makes you feel most connected to me? 132. What’s a boundary in our intimate life that’s important for you to maintain? 133. What’s a fear or insecurity you have about our intimate life? 134. What’s a misconception about intimacy that you’ve overcome? 135. What’s a non-sexual form of intimacy that’s important to you? 136. What’s a romantic gesture that means a lot to you? 137. What’s a way you’d like to feel more appreciated or desired in our relationship? 138. What would you like to explore together to enhance our intimacy? 139. What have you always wanted to try in our intimate life but haven’t expressed? 140. What’s the most intimate non-physical experience we’ve shared, in your opinion?

Future Planning and Shared Vision

141. How do you envision balancing personal dreams with our shared goals? 142. How do you envision our ideal future together? 143. How do you envision our retirement years? 144. How do you see our careers evolving alongside our relationship? 145. How can we keep our relationship exciting and fresh in the long term? 146. How do you think we can maintain our individual identities while building a shared life? 147. How can we support each other’s personal growth while growing together? 148. How do you think we should approach financial planning for our future? 149. How do you think we should approach making major life decisions together? 150. How should we approach personal space and independence as we build our future? 151. What are your thoughts on starting or expanding our family? 152. What role do you see our families playing in our future? 153. What’s a challenge you anticipate in our future, and how do you think we should prepare for it? 154. What’s a legacy you’d like us to create together? 155. What long-term goal would you like us to work towards as a couple? 156. What’s a new skill or hobby you’d like us to learn together? 157. What’s a place you’d like us to live in or visit together in the future? 158. What shared value do you think is crucial for our future together? 159. What tradition or ritual would you like to establish in our relationship? 160. What’s one promise you’d like to make to each other for our future?

Deep and meaningful conversations with your partner are what can form a better bond between both of you and understand each other well. These 160 questions are a good starting point for discussing various aspects of your life, childhood experiences, or future aspirations.

Remember, it’s not about rushing these questions but is an important tool in following the curve of soul-moving, genuine, heartfelt discussions. Take your time and patience with each other, and never mind these conversations.

The Institute of the Gottmans research reports relationship satisfaction at much higher levels for those who have meaningful conversations regularly. And it is great because questions like these invest in long-term health and happiness in your relationship.

It calls for being a little more mindful of one another in our fast-paced world. So, create time, set up an atmosphere, and get around this question to start with him or her. You might be surprised to learn something about each other or yourself.

A strong bond is built on understanding, empathy, and shared growth. So, if you ask these deep questions, you’re not just killing time but acting and nurturing your connection to build a stronger base for your future together.

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65 Deep Relationship Questions You Need To Talk About Before Fully Giving Your Heart Away

You’ve met someone and so far, things are going well. You’re starting to wonder about the future and strong feelings are developing, but part of you is holding back. It’s not your first rodeo , so you’re not quite ready to give your heart away. Asking deep relationship questions may help give you the clarity you’re looking for.

Asking the right questions can help you get to know the person you’re dating and gain insight into what makes them tick. A healthy romantic relationship relies on communication, so asking deep relationship questions can help you develop a better connection with each other. Asking questions of one another encourages you to be curious, and curiosity is an attractive quality, as well as an essential ingredient for lasting love.

Asking Questions Builds Intimacy

Being curious helps you avoid making assumptions and filling in the blanks. In the early part of the dating process, it’s easy to be drunk with oxytocin , and that chemical high can fool you into believing the two of you are always on the same page — even when you’re very different people. Curiosity encourages you to look deeper at someone you’re getting to know so you can get a clearer picture of who they really are. When done sincerely and with genuine interest asking deep relationship questions can foster understanding of each other’s thoughts, feelings, desires, and experiences.

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In addition, asking deep relationship questions shows that you’re interested in getting to know your date and that you care about their thoughts and feelings. Asking about their day, their dreams, or their fears, shows consideration for their well-being and concern about their life. Your consideration towards them helps them feel valued and cared for, strengthening the emotional bond between you.

Asking Questions Promotes Communication

Asking deep relationship questions encourages open and genuine communication. It creates a safe space for both of you to share your thoughts and emotions, even if they’re vulnerable or difficult to discuss. This openness builds trust, which is crucial for love to grow between you.

You’ll also gain important insights into your partner’s thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints. Understanding each other at a deeper level allows you to feel connected on a more profound emotional level, increasing emotional intimacy. Asking meaningful and thought-provoking questions encourages conversations that delve into the core of who you are as individuals and as a couple.

Intimacy And Communication Support Growing Together, Not Apart

One of the most common reasons couples give for a break-up is that they just “grew apart.” As if gravity or some other mysterious force pulled them apart against their will.  Growing apart isn’t something that happens in a vacuum. Couples grow apart because they stop being curious about each other, they don’t repair after a conflict, and they haven’t learned to respect and navigate through their differences. Lack of communication and connection leads to an emotional distance between them.

Creating an environment that fosters communication and safety allows you to ask questions of each other building trust and connection. Being able to talk about anything creates a bond between two people (and this doesn’t mean you have to talk about everything). A safe and sacred space allows you to explore your differences instead of judging them. When you can defer to one another’s strengths you’ve found someone you can create a life with.

Knowing that you’re both heading in the same direction with the same life goals despite having different interests and personalities, you’re able to find a way to bridge your differences. There’s a feeling of safety and confidence that the relationship can weather the storms of life.

Beware Of Contradictions

Asking deep relationship questions through the dating process is important, and it’s also imperative to see if their behavior matches the words they’ve said. Someone can profess a love of family and talk about how important family is to them, but if they never spend time with their family or regularly speak with them their behavior is showing you a contradiction that cannot be ignored.

People spend their resources (time, energy, money) on the things that are important to them. A person’s actions are more revealing than what they say . It’s easy to say that health is important to you, but if you never go to the gym or don’t eat healthy food, then your statement is more of a desire than a truth. Incongruencies between words and actions are a red flag and you must proceed with caution.

Don’t Invest Your Heart Quickly

Most people rush to a commitment because of a feeling. They’ve met someone that lights them up and they mistake their hope and the excitement they feel with falling in love. The danger of giving your heart away too quickly is not evaluating this person’s capacity to meet your needs and wants, and whether they’re a good match long-term.

Powerful feelings of attraction and chemistry can cause you to give a stranger the benefit of the doubt. Ignoring red flags and excusing bad behavior is easy to do once your heart is involved. Instead, embrace slow love, cultivate discernment through the dating process, and don’t invest your heart quickly. If they end up being your person you have the rest of your lives together, so there’s no need to rush.

Deep Relationship Questions About Lifestyle, Hobbies, And Interests

• How do you currently balance your career and personal life?
• Are you an adventurous person or would you describe yourself as a homebody?
• Do you like to travel? If so, where would you like to go next?
• What do you do to unwind and reduce stress?
• Do you expect your partner to share your hobbies and interests, or do you prefer to keep them separate?

Deep Relationship Questions About The Future

• What are your long-term goals and aspirations in life?
• What changes are you planning to make in the next 3-5 years?
• How do you envision your ideal future and where does a committed relationship fit into that?
• What are some of the things at the top of your bucket list?
• What experiences/adventures do you most want to share with me?

Deep Relationship Questions About Your Wants And Needs

• Are there things you require to feel loved and safe?
• What are your thoughts on personal space and independence within a committed relationship?
• What is your most important emotional need?
• Do you need your partner to have your back?
• Do you want to be left alone or pampered when you don’t feel well?

Deep Relationship Questions About Love

• What was your first experience of romantic love?
• Do you know what you require to feel loved?
• Do you know your attachment style?
• How do you know you’ve fallen in love?
• How do you see us supporting each other’s dreams and goals, both individually and as a couple?

Deep Relationships Questions About Their Family

• What is your relationship to your family? Are you close?
• Have you ever been estranged from family members? If yes, why?
• What do you like and dislike about the way your parents raised you?
• How did your family deal with disagreements?
• Were you raised with a particular religion? Do you still practice it?

Deep Relationship Questions About Communication

• On a scale of 1-10 how important is emotional connection for you?
• Do you consider yourself emotionally demonstrative? (You easily express your emotions.)
• Do you regularly speak up for yourself or do you find it difficult?
• Do you get louder or repeat yourself when you don’t feel heard?
• Do you consider yourself an early bird or a night owl?

Deep Relationship Questions About Spirituality And Religion

• Do you currently practice a different religion than you were raised with?
• Do you believe in God?
• On a scale of 1-10, how important is it that your partner shares your beliefs?
• Is a spiritual community, or fellowship important to you?
• Are there any spiritual or religious rituals or traditions you’d like to incorporate into our relationship or family life?

Deep Relationship Questions About The Past

• What important events shaped you and helped make you the person you are today?
• What’s your favorite memory from your childhood?
• What are the significant intimate relationships you’ve had, and why do you think they didn’t work out?
• Have you received any support in healing your relationship baggage and emotional wounds?
• What would you change about your past if you could?

Deep Relationship Questions About Sex

• On a scale of 1 – 10 how important is physical intimacy to you?
• Are you comfortable sharing the number of people you’ve been intimate with?
• Do you consider any type of birth control unacceptable?
• What role does emotional intimacy play in your sexual satisfaction?
• Are there any specific sexual desires or fantasies you’d like to explore together?

Deep Relationship Questions About Marriage And Commitment

• What are your views on marriage, and do you see yourself getting married in the future?
• Would you live with someone you’re not engaged or married to?
• What are your deal breakers in a committed relationship?
• Are you comfortable with lifelong monogamy or are you interested in an open relationship?
• What are some of the challenges you think couples face in maintaining love and intimacy over the long term?

Deep Relationship Questions About Money

• How do you manage your finances? Do you have a system?
• Are you open to sharing bank accounts, or would you prefer they remain separate?
• Do you consider yourself a spender or a saver?
• Is a prenup important to you?
• If money wasn’t an issue would you stay at your job?

Deep Relationship Questions About Having And Raising Children

• Do you want to have children? If yes, how many? (If no, skip to the next section.)
• Do you have any concerns regarding your ability to be a good parent?
• How far would you be willing to go if there were fertility challenges?
• Do you believe one parent has the primary responsibility of raising children?
• Do you see any challenges in having a work-life balance?

Deep Relationship Questions About Emotional Mastery

• Are you aware of your emotional triggers?
• Do you tend to escalate or withdraw when upset? Or both?
• Do you shy away from conflict?
• If you could change one strategy for expressing your upset what would it be?
• How do you cope with stress and difficult situations, and what kind of support would you like from a partner?

The conversations that come from asking deep relationship questions won’t give you a guarantee you’ve found your person. Hypothetical situations and asking questions will give you some insight and understanding, however, a person’s self-awareness (or lack of self-awareness) is a key factor in determining how fruitful these conversations are.

Maintaining a long-term monogamous relationship requires a set of skills to navigate through challenges and conflict together. Did you know there’s a natural progression of phases that romantic relationships move through?

Knowing these relationship stages is the foundation for identifying a long-term match! We want you to have this crucial information, so download our special report, The 5 Stages of Relationship , so you’re no longer stuck repeating stages and wasting your valuable time with the wrong person.

About the authors

Orna and Matthew Walters are dating coaches and founders of Creating Love On Purpose with a holistic approach to transforming hidden blocks to lasting love, and the authors of Getting It Right This Time. They’ve been published on MSN, Yahoo!, YourTango, Redbook, Newsweek, Best Life, and have been featured guest experts on BRAVO’s THE MILLIONAIRE MATCHMAKER with Patti Stanger, and as guests with Esther Perel speaking about love and intimacy.

Suggested Reading

5 Things To Keep In Mind While Texting With A Guy

7 Secrets Happy Couples Know About Arguing And Making Up

How Do I Get What I Want? 5 Ways To Get What You Want From Your Partner

I Like Him But…?

Create lasting love.

If soulful, heart-centered, rock-your-socks off love is at the top of your list, we will help you transform your life.

About Orna & Matthew Walters

Orna and Matthew Walters are dating coaches and founders of Creating Love On Purpose with a holistic approach to transforming hidden blocks to love, and the authors of Getting It Right This Time .

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150 Powerful Questions to Deepen Your Relationship and Connect

Talented writer Owen simplifies complex topics, focusing on psychology and personal growth. He enjoys camping in scenic mountains, traveling, and embracing diverse cultures.

In This Article

Have you ever scrolled through your phone mindlessly while sitting across from your partner in comfortable silence? It can be a common scene in many relationships. The daily grind can lull even the most passionate couples into a routine of unspoken expectations .

But what if the key to unlocking a deeper connection was right there, between those stolen glances at your phones? The secret weapon? Asking thoughtful questions.

Whether you’re newlyweds experiencing the exciting (and sometimes confusing) early days or a long-term couple looking to deepen your connection, the right questions to deepen your relationship can be the key to unlocking a more intimate emotional bond.

Why does asking questions matter in a relationship?

Imagine Ava and David, who have been together for several years. They’ve built a comfortable routine, but things have felt a little distant lately.

Their conversations these days revolve around mundane tasks, and date nights seem more obligatory than exciting. Ava feels a disconnect but isn’t sure how to bridge it.

One evening, Ava decides to shake things up. Over dinner, she asks David an open-ended question: “What’s something you’ve been passionate about lately, outside of work?”

The question sparks a conversation about David’s renewed interest in playing the guitar. Sarah listens intently as he talks about his childhood dream of forming a band.

Here, you can see that this simple question helped unlock a deeper connection. Ava learns something new about David, reigniting a spark in their relationship.

They discuss his musical aspirations, and Ava suggests finding a local jam session together. This newfound shared experience brings them closer and reminds them of the importance of open communication .

5 benefits of deepening the connection with your partner

Beyond the initial spark, a strong relationship thrives on a deep and meaningful connection. But how does asking questions contribute to this connection?

Here are 5 key benefits you’ll experience when you prioritize open communication and dig deeper with your partner.

1. Enhanced emotional intimacy

Deepening your connection through meaningful conversations can promote emotional intimacy. When partners share their thoughts, fears, and dreams, it creates a safe space for vulnerability . 

Studies show that vulnerability is a foundational aspect of fulfilling relationships when its nuances are understood, identifying gaps for future research. Key areas include self-disclosure, conflict resolution, societal influence, and intimacy.

For example, discussing childhood memories or personal challenges can reveal new facets of each other’s personalities. This emotional closeness builds trust and a sense of security, allowing you both to feel more understood and supported in the relationship.

2. Improved communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. By regularly asking questions to deepen your relationship, you encourage open dialogue. This practice helps partners express their needs and feelings more clearly .

For instance, discussing each other’s preferences and expectations can prevent misunderstandings and reduce conflicts. Better communication leads to a more harmonious and satisfying relationship.

3. Strengthened trust

Trust is crucial in a relationship, and deepening your connection helps reinforce it. Sharing personal experiences and secrets shows that you trust your partner, encouraging them to reciprocate .

For example, talking about past mistakes and how you overcame them can build a stronger bond. This mutual trust lays a solid foundation for a long-lasting and resilient relationship.

Research indicates that trust plays a pivotal role in maintaining functional and fulfilling romantic relationships, deepening intimacy, and providing continuity. Lack of trust can lead to negative reactions, lying, low relationship quality perception, and attachment anxiety, negatively impacting relationships. Conversely, trust positively affects relationship satisfaction in close romantic relationships.

4. Increased mutual respect

When you take the time to ask questions to deepen your relationship, you demonstrate that you value your partner’s thoughts and feelings. This respect enables a positive environment where both partners feel appreciated .

For instance, understanding each other’s values and boundaries helps in respecting personal space and opinions. Increased respect leads to a more cooperative and loving partnership.

5. Greater relationship satisfaction

A deeper connection often results in higher overall relationship satisfaction. When partners feel connected on an emotional level, they are more likely to experience joy and fulfillment together . 

For example, planning future goals and dreams as a team can bring a sense of unity and purpose. This shared vision enhances the quality of your relationship, making it more rewarding and enjoyable for both partners.

150 questions for couples to deepen their relationship

So, are you ready to take your conversations to the next level and unlock a deeper connection with your partner? Experience this collection of 150 questions!

We’ve categorized them into different sections to guide you through various conversation starters, from building initial comfort to exploring deeper emotional bonds.

So, grab a cup of coffee, cuddle up on the couch, and get ready to discover new things about each other and strengthen your relationship.

Basics of relationship questions

Understanding the basics of your relationship sets a strong foundation for a deeper connection. These questions to ask about the relationship help you explore your partner’s thoughts on key aspects of your relationship, from trust and communication to future aspirations.

They provide a framework for open, honest conversations that strengthen your bond.

• How did we first meet, and what was your first impression?
• What do you remember most about our first date?
• When did you realize you wanted to be in a relationship with me?
• What are three things you admire about me?
• What are your top priorities in a relationship?
• How do you feel we handle conflicts in our relationship?
• What is your love language, and how do you feel loved?
• What are your thoughts on marriage?
• How important is it for you to spend time together?
• What is one thing you would like us to improve in our relationship ?
• What makes you feel most appreciated in our relationship?
• How do you define trust in a relationship?
• What are your expectations regarding communication in our relationship?
• How do you think we handle financial matters as a couple?
• What do you think is the key to a successful relationship?
• What are your thoughts on having children?
• How do you feel about spending holidays with each other’s families?
• What role does intimacy play in our relationship for you?
• How do you envision our future together?
• What are your thoughts on maintaining individuality in a relationship?
• How do you feel about our current level of commitment?
• What do you think is the most important aspect of our relationship?
• How do you handle stress, and how can I support you during stressful times?
• What do you think we could do to keep the spark alive in our relationship?
• How do you feel about public displays of affection?

Icebreaker questions to build comfort

Starting with light-hearted topics can ease the tension and build comfort between partners. These icebreaker questions are designed to warm up your conversations and create a relaxed atmosphere.

They set the stage for deeper discussions, allowing you to eventually ask deep questions that enhance your relationship and understanding of each other.

• What is your favorite childhood memory?
• What is your go-to comfort food?
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
• What is your favorite book or movie, and why?
• What are your hobbies and interests?
• What is your favorite way to relax after a long day?
• If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
• What is your dream job?
• What is one thing you’ve always wanted to learn or try?
• What is your favorite season, and why?
• What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
• If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
• What is your favorite holiday, and how do you like to celebrate it?
• What is your favorite type of music or band?
• What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
• What is your favorite thing about where you grew up?
• If you could live in any time period, when would it be?
• What is your favorite family tradition?
• What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
• What is your favorite meal to cook or eat?
• What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
• If you could speak any language fluently, which would it be?
• What is your favorite sport or physical activity?
• What is the most interesting place you’ve visited?
• What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Questions about personal history

Exploring each other’s past can reveal a lot about who you are today. These questions about personal history reveal significant experiences and memories, helping you understand your partner more deeply. You can uncover stories and insights that strengthen your bond by asking these deep couple questions.

• Where did you grow up, and what was it like?
• What are some of your favorite memories from childhood?
• What was your family dynamic like growing up?
• Who was your best friend as a child, and what made them special?
• What was your favorite subject in school, and why?
• What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
• Who has been the most influential person in your life?
• What is a significant event that shaped who you are today?
• What were your favorite activities or hobbies as a kid?
• How did your parents influence your views on relationships?
• What is a lesson you learned the hard way?
• What was your favorite family vacation?
• How did you spend your summers growing up?
• What is your most embarrassing moment?
• What were your dreams and aspirations as a teenager?
• What was your first car, and what do you remember about it?
• What was your most challenging experience growing up?
• How have your friendships changed over the years?
• What is something you’re proud of from your past?
• What was your college experience like?
• How did you decide on your career path?
• What was your relationship with your siblings like?
• What values were most important in your family?
• What traditions did your family have?
• How have your past experiences shaped your views on life?

Questions about daily life and routines

Understanding each other’s daily life and routines can bring you closer and create a stronger connection. These questions help you learn about your partner’s habits, preferences, and how they manage everyday life.

Incorporating deep questions to ask your partner about relationships can also reveal how you can better support and understand each other.

• What is your typical morning routine?
• How do you like to spend your evenings after work?
• What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
• How do you prioritize your daily tasks?
• What is your approach to handling stress?
• How do you stay organized in your daily life?
• What is a daily habit you cannot live without?
• How do you balance work and personal life?
• What is your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
• How do you stay motivated throughout the week?
• What is your go-to breakfast choice?
• How do you incorporate exercise into your routine?
• What is your approach to managing time effectively?
• How do you handle unexpected changes in your day?
• What is a daily ritual that brings you joy?
• How do you stay connected with friends and family during busy times?
• What is your strategy for tackling a busy workday?
• How do you make time for self-care?
• What is your favorite way to relax on the weekends?
• How do you keep track of important dates and events?
• What is your approach to meal planning and cooking?
• How do you ensure you get enough sleep each night?
• What is your favorite way to start the day?
• How do you stay positive and motivated?
• What is one change you’d like to make to your daily routine?

Questions about love and romance

Love and romance are essential aspects of any relationship. These questions explore your feelings, expressions of love, and romantic preferences.

By including relationship questions to ask a partner, you can deepen your emotional connection and keep the romance alive, ensuring your relationship remains vibrant and fulfilling.

• What is your idea of a perfect date night?
• How do you like to show affection?
• What is your favorite romantic memory with me?
• How do you feel about celebrating anniversaries?
• What is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you?
• What does love mean to you?
• How do you feel most appreciated in our relationship?
• What are your thoughts on public displays of affection?
• How do you keep the romance alive in our relationship?
• What is your favorite way to spend a romantic evening?
• How do you express your love?
• What is a romantic gesture you’ve always wanted to experience?
• How important is romance in a relationship to you?
• What is your favorite love song, and why?
• How do you like to celebrate special occasions?
• What is your love language?
• How do you feel about writing love letters?
• What is a romantic movie or book that you enjoy?
• How do you surprise me with romantic gestures?
• What is your favorite way to receive affection?
• How do you feel about spontaneous romantic gestures?
• What is your favorite memory of us together?
• How do you envision our future together romantically?
• What is your favorite place to go on a date?
• How do you make me feel loved?

Deep emotional connection questions

Building a deep emotional connection requires vulnerability and understanding. These questions to deepen your relationship explore your partner’s innermost thoughts, fears, and dreams.

By engaging in these profound conversations, you can create a strong emotional bond that enhances trust and intimacy in your relationship.

• What is something you’ve never told anyone else?
• How do you handle difficult emotions?
• What is your biggest fear, and why?
• How do you define emotional intimacy?
• What is a dream or goal you’ve never shared with anyone?
• How do you process and deal with pain or loss?
• What is the most meaningful compliment you’ve ever received?
• How do you feel about vulnerability in relationships?
• What is a personal challenge you’re currently facing?
• How do you cope with stress and anxiety?
• What is your greatest source of strength?
• How do you stay emotionally balanced?
• What is a memory that still affects you deeply?
• How do you nurture your mental health?
• What is your approach to dealing with conflicts?
• How do you express your deepest emotions?
• What is something you’re still healing from?
• How do you feel about forgiveness?
• What is your greatest source of happiness?
• How do you support others emotionally?
• What is your approach to self-reflection ?
• How do you deal with feelings of insecurity?
• What is your most profound spiritual belief?
• How do you stay true to yourself?
• What is your biggest hope for our relationship?

5 conversation starters and tips for using these questions

Now that you have a toolbox full of questions, how do you use them to spark meaningful conversations? This section provides 5 conversation starters and key tips to get the most out of these questions.

From turning everyday moments into conversation opportunities to creating a safe space for open communication, these tips will help you manage your conversations and deepen your connection with your partner.

1. Share a memory

Sharing memories helps you connect over shared experiences and emotions. Start by reminiscing about a happy or significant moment you’ve both experienced . 

It can lead to deeper conversations about your feelings and perspectives. Discussing memories can rekindle emotions and help you appreciate your journey together.

Start like this: “Remember that time we went on our first road trip? What was your favorite part of that trip?”

2. Discuss future dreams

Talking about future aspirations can bring you closer by aligning your goals and dreams. This conversation starter helps you understand each other’s visions for the future , promoting mutual support and encouragement.

It’s essential to listen actively and show enthusiasm for your partner’s dreams. This reinforces your commitment and deepens your relationship .

Start like this: “Where do you see us in five years? What are some dreams you’d like to achieve together?”

3. Talk about personal growth

Discussing personal growth allows you to support each other’s individual journeys. This conversation can reveal your partner’s challenges, aspirations, and areas they want to improve .

It shows that you care about their personal development and are willing to help them grow. Questions to deepen your relationship often touch on these aspects, making your bond stronger.

Start like this: “What’s something you’ve learned about yourself recently? How can I support you in your personal growth?”

4. Explore favorite activities

Understanding your partner’s hobbies and interests can enhance your connection by sharing activities you both enjoy. This conversation starter can lead to planning fun experiences together, strengthening your bond through shared interests . 

It also shows that you value their passions and are willing to engage in what makes them happy.

Start like this: “What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend? Is there an activity you’ve been wanting to try together?”

5. Reflect on relationship strengths and areas for improvement

Reflecting on your relationship’s strengths and areas for improvement enables open communication and mutual growth. This conversation starter helps identify what’s working well and what needs attention . 

It’s a proactive way to ensure your relationship remains healthy and fulfilling. Using questions to deepen your relationship in this context can lead to constructive discussions and a stronger partnership.

Start like this: “What do you think are the strongest aspects of our relationship? Are there any areas you feel we could work on improving together?”

Prioritize meaningful conversations in your relationships

So, it’s time you ditch the awkward silences and closed-off texts! These questions are your secret weapon for keeping things fun, exciting, and connected.

The more you chat (and really listen!) about your dreams, past experiences, and even weird childhood memories, the stronger your bond will become. Think of it as an investment in your relationship happiness – the more you put in, the more you get out!

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Owen Kessler is a talented writer with a knack for making complex topics easy to understand. He has a particular interest in psychology and personal growth, and his writing is known for its insightful commentary on these subjects. Read more When he’s not writing, Owen enjoys spending time camping in the beautiful mountains and forests that surround his home. He also loves to travel and has a deep appreciation for the diversity of cultures he encounters on his journeys. Read less

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116 Deep Questions That Will Strengthen Your Connection

Last Updated: December 12, 2023

Do you ever feel like life’s constant whirlwind keeps you from truly connecting with your partner? The daily grind of work, eat, sleep, and repeat can easily put a damper on those heart-to-heart conversations. But guess what? We’ve got a solution that’ll add some zest to your relationship! Whether you’re sharing a quick bite or snuggling up before bedtime, those little moments can be transformed into opportunities for deeper connection. So, don’t let them slip away.  

We’ve put together a whopping list of 116 mind-boggling questions that are sure to kickstart some seriously fun and meaningful discussions. And the best part? You can download and print them, then stash them in a jar or bind them together with a fancy ring. We’ve even thrown in some blank pages so you can get creative with your own questions and jot down your partner’s captivating answers in our personalized journal designed to capture your unique journey together!  

But wait, there’s more! Games are in on the action too. Ever played “Desert Island”? It’s not just a game; it’s a window into your partner’s core personality! Discover the three things they can’t live without, and you’re in for an adventure.  

No matter where you are in your relationship journey, these deep questions are your secret weapon to add a dash of excitement, strengthen your romance, and take your companionship to new, thrilling heights.  

Deep Questions About Childhood  

• What is your best childhood memory?
• What is your worst childhood memory?
• What was your biggest fear as a child?
• What was your favorite year of school?
• What was your favorite subject/class in school?
• What did you want to be when you grew up?
• What was your favorite game to play?
• What is the single most important thing you learned as a child?
• What is your most memorable family event?
• What do you admire most about your parents?
• What do you look forward to about being a parent?
• If you don’t want to be a parent, why?
• Do you want to live near or far from relatives?
• When your parents get old, how do you plan on taking care of them?

Deep Questions About Love

• When was the first time you said “I love you” to someone in your life other than family?
• When and where did you go on your first date ever?
• Do you remember our first date?
• Were you nervous during our first kiss?
• When did you know you loved me?
• What is your ideal night?
• What is your favorite thing about me?
• Do you believe in true love or love at first sight?
• Do you think people are made for each other?
• Where is the perfect honeymoon locale?
• Describe a fun date that only costs $20.
• Describe the most romantic date you can think of — spare no expense!
• If you were on a dating game show, what questions would you ask?
• What is your favorite memory with me?
• What do you look forward to experiencing with me?
• Would you rather a night in a fancy penthouse suite or a private beach house?

Deep Questions About Values

• Would you rather acquire material items or experiences?
• If it cost the same, would you live in a mansion or a mid-sized house with a lot of land?
• In what scenario, if any, is it okay to lie?
• When, if ever, is it okay to break the law?
• What is the most important lesson to teach a child?
• How often do you go out of your way to help someone?
• If you could pick a new “golden rule,” what would it be?
• What are important societal values? (ex. Democracy, fundamental rights, etc.)
• How have your values changed from ten years ago?
• What do you see as your best character trait?
• If you could change one thing about your character, what would it be?
• Would you consider yourself a pessimist or an optimist?
• When were you the most disappointed in yourself?
• When were you the most proud of yourself?
• Generally speaking, do you like the way you look?
• If you could change one thing about the way you look, what would it be?
• Do you put as much effort and emphasis on inner beauty as outer beauty?

Deep Questions About Goals and Motivations

• Who in your family do you view as a role model?
• Are you inspired by any celebrities dead or alive?
• What thought or object gets you through the day?
• Do you find praise or criticism to be more motivating?
• What inspires you to better yourself?
• What advice would you give to your children to stay determined?
• What is the best way to motivate each other?
• What is your greatest success to date?
• What do you hope to achieve in the short-term?
• What is your long-term goal?
• What is your biggest regret?
• What mistake did you learn the most from?
• What are you most ashamed of?
• Is failing less, equal or more important than succeeding?

Deep Questions About Relationships

• What do you look for in a friendship?
• What is/was your longest lasting friendship and how did it last so long?
• Do you think you can have multiple best friends or only one?
• Do you think your pet can also be your friend?
• Do you consider your parents as friends?
• Do you think opposite genders can maintain a friendship without developing a love interest?
• What is an unforgivable action?
• What is your advice for long-distance friendships?
• Do you have different advice for nearby relationships?
• In your opinion, can long-distance relationships survive?
• Do you think a couple should split costs?
• Do you think it’s better to save money or invest?
• How should household chores be divided?
• What do you look for in a significant other?
• What is the most important thing in a relationship? (e.g. trust, respect, etc.)
• How often should a couple argue or fight to maintain a healthy relationship?

Deep Questions About Life Events

• What was your best birthday?
• If you could only celebrate one holiday each year, what would it be?
• Do you prefer family events or alone time?
• Provided there is good weather, do you enjoy indoor or outdoor activities?
• What is your ideal wedding ceremony?
• Describe your perfect vacation.
• What is the best concert you’ve ever attended?
• What events are on your bucket list? (ex. Lollapalooza, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, etc.)
• When, where, and how long was the best road trip you’ve ever taken?
• Would you rather spend a week in New York City or Los Angeles?
• Have you ever been camping? What was your favorite part?

Deep Questions About Stress

• Is there anything that gives you overwhelming anxiety?
• How do you handle high-stress situations?
• What is the most stress-inducing thing that could happen at work?
• What helps you decompress?
• Is there a smell that instantly relaxes you?
• After a horrible day, would you prefer a nice dinner out or a cozy movie night?
• Are you terrified of anything fictional? For example, the supernatural or zombies.
• What is your biggest fear in life?
• Do you have any phobias?
• Do you have any irrational fears?
• What was the worst nightmare of your life?
• Do you like to pull scary pranks on people?
• What is the scariest movie you’ve ever seen?

Deep Hypothetical Questions

• If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
• Do you think flying or mind reading is a more functional power?
• If you could have one human talent that you don’t currently have, what would it be?
• If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? (excluding more wishes)
• If you had the power to correct one problem in the world, what would you fix?
• Where would you go if you could teleport anywhere in the world?
• If you could be an animal for a week, what would you be?
• If you could be an object for a day, what would you be?
• What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?
• If you could eat anything you wanted right now, what would you order?
• You’re going to outer space — what planet do you want to see?
• If the world ended tomorrow, what would you do on your last day?
• Would you rather go back in time to see the dinosaurs or jump forward a thousand years to see our futuristic society?
• If you could make one book or movie a reality, which would you choose?
• If you could be a character from a hit television show, who would you pick?

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Critical Thinking Questions for your Boyfriend

There’s no denying that romantic relationships thrive on good communication. So what better way to communicate with your partner than with some critical thinking questions to gauge their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about love and your relationship? 

Critical thinking questions encompass several areas that encourage objective analysis to form a judgment. Having the ability to think critically in a relationship fosters positive problem solving and effective communication – skills that are vital for lasting, healthy relationships.

The questions in this article also serve another purpose: helping you get to the heart of your partner’s values, beliefs, and attitudes – the key aspects that will help you determine whether it is a relationship worth pursuing. 

Critical thinking skills include: 

• Objective analysis
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Open-mindedness

Read on to learn about some of the best critical thinking questions for your boyfriend or partner.

What does a healthy relationship look like? What should it provide for each party?

What is one thing your parents did that you plan on doing with your own children?

This question is important because it gauges your partner’s views on parenting and helps them think about what is important to carry on to the next generation.

What is one thing your parents did that you plan to never do with your own children?

This question helps understand what your partner views as negative in his or her upbringing, and how they plan on doing better for their own children.

Do you believe in life after death and/or a supreme Creator? Why or why not?

This question helps determine your partner’s views on faith and religion.

What is something you’re glad you’ll never have to do – or experience – again?

This question serves as a measuring stick to know what experiences your partner finds unpleasant, burdensome, or downright awful so you can avoid such things in the future.

For example, if your boyfriend says he’s glad he’ll never have to live in a small town again, you’ll know he wouldn’t be happy relocating to a rural town.

What would you do if you suddenly won a million dollars?

While this question may seem silly or even unnecessary on the surface, it serves a very practical purpose. By asking this question, you’ll understand your boyfriend’s priorities, values, and dreams – everything he’d do if he suddenly had the money to do so.

If your life expectancy suddenly jumped to 1,000 years, how would you spend the rest of your life? Would you change the way you live?

In your life, what is something that happened that initially was horrible, but turned out to be a blessing in the long run?

Perspective is an important facet of maturity, and this question helps you know well your boyfriend can put things in perspective.

What do you admire most about your parents?

This question helps your boyfriend look back on his upbringing and appreciate something about how his parents raised him.

Question 10

What do you look forward to about being a parent? If you’re already a parent, what’s one thing you look forward to doing with your child/children?

The question of whether or not to have children is often a dealbreaker in a relationship if two partners aren’t on the same page. Also knowing what your boyfriend looks forward to in being a parent provides a glimpse into what he values most about parenthood.

Question 11

Is any act truly unforgivable?

The answer to this question may be more about what your boyfriend considers a relationship-ending offense, but it also gives him the opportunity to speak about his ideas of justice and redemption. His answer may also reflect his religious beliefs.

Question 12

If you could choose one thing in your life to do over, what would it be and why?

Question 13

Who, living or dead, do you consider an inspiration or role model? Why?

Question 14

Do you believe things happen for a reason?

Question 15

What behavior is completely intolerable for you?

It’s important to know what your boyfriend considers boundary-breaking behavior by friends or loved ones, especially if your own views differ. Definitely something to discuss to avoid arguments or misunderstandings in the future!

Question 16

If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self, what year would you visit and what would you say?

This is another question about perspective.

Question 17

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?

The second part of this question is often asked by marriage counselors, and it helps partners communicate differences in an effective way.

Question 18

Do you tend to make decisions from your heart or your head?

Logic or emotion-based decision making can tell a lot about someone’s personality.

Question 19

What never ends well?

Question 20

If you could describe our relationship using just one word, what would that word be?

Throughout the course of a relationship, it’s vital to know your partner’s views about how your relationship is progressing.

Question 21

If you found out you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend your last day on earth?

This question serves to gauge your boyfriend’s priorities.

Question 22

What’s your favorite way to receive love or affection?

People have different love languages, the five major ones being words of affirmation, gifts, physical touch, acts of service, and quality time. Take the 5 Love Languages Quiz to know for sure how each of you best receive love.

Question 23

How do you think household chores should be divided?

Differences regarding the division of labor are one of the leading causes of discord in relationships. Having an understanding early in a relationship helps avoid misunderstandings and fights later on.

Question 24

What’s something about you that you would never change for anyone else, including me?

Knowing what your boyfriend considers uncompromisable is important.

101 Deep Questions to Ask Your Boyfriend, Girlfriend or Partner

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/relationships-and-communication

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Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Matters

Defining critical thinking dispositions and why they’re crucial..

Posted September 23, 2024 | Reviewed by Devon Frye

• Another way to think about and measure critical thinking is to include aspects of motivational dispositions.
• Dispositions include open-mindedness and a willingness to be reflective when evaluating information.
• People scoring low in critical thinking dispositions tend to “keep it simple” when something is complex.
• Critical thinking dispositions help individuals avoid oversimplification and can facilitate awareness of bias.

Critical thinking springs from the notion of reflective thought proposed by Dewey (1933), who borrowed from the work of philosophers such as William James and Charles Peirce. Reflective thought was defined as the process of suspending judgment, remaining open-minded, maintaining a healthy skepticism, and taking responsibility for one’s own development (Gerber et al., 2005; Stoyanov & Kirshner, 2007).

Kurland (1995) suggested, “Critical thinking is concerned with reason, intellectual honesty, and open-mindedness, as opposed to emotionalism, intellectual laziness, and closed-mindedness. Thus, critical thinking involves… considering all possibilities… being precise; considering a variety of possible viewpoints and explanations; weighing the effects of motives and biases; being concerned more with finding the truth than with being right…being aware of one’s own prejudices and biases” (p. 3). Thus, being able to perspective-take and becoming conscious of one’s own biases are potential benefits of critical thinking capacities.

Reviews of the critical thinking literature (e.g., Bensley, 2023) suggest that the assessment of this construct ought to include aspects of motivational dispositions. Numerous frameworks of critical thinking dispositions have been proposed (e.g., Bensley, 2018; Butler & Halpern, 2019; Dwyer, 2017); some commonly identified dispositions are open-mindedness, intellectual engagement, and a proclivity to take a reflective stance or approach to evaluating information and the views and beliefs of both oneself and others. Demir (2022) posited that critical thinking dispositions reflect persons’ attitudes toward and routine ways of responding to new information and diverging ideas, willingness to engage in nuanced and complex rather than either/or reductionistic thinking, and perseverance in attempts to understand and resolve complex problems.

Other examples of dispositions are inquisitiveness, open-mindedness, tolerance for ambiguity, thinking about thinking, honesty in assessing or evaluating biases, and willingness to reconsider one’s own views and ways of doing things (Facione et al., 2001). Individual personality attributes associated with these proclivities include a need for cognition (a desire for intellectual stimulation), which is positively associated with critical thinking, and the need for closure (a motivated cognitive style in which individuals prefer predictability, firm answers, and rapid decision making ) and anti-intellectualism (a resentment of “the life of the mind” and those who represent it), both negatively associated with critical thinking.

Further, an ideological component that can impede critical thinking is dogmatism . In addition, rigid, dichotomous thinking impedes critical thinking in that it oversimplifies the complexity of social life in a pluralistic society (Bensley, 2023; Cheung et al., 2002; Halpern & Dunn, 2021) and tries to reduce complicated phenomena and resolve complex problems via “either/or” formulations and simplistic solutions.

In other words, folks with low critical thinking dispositions would tend to “keep it simple” when something is really quite complicated, and think it absolute terms and categories rather than seeing “the gray” in between the black and white extremes.

In sum, critical thinking dispositions are vitally important because they may help individuals avoid oversimplifying reality; they also permit perspective-taking and can facilitate their awareness of diversity and systematic biases, such as racial or gender bias . Some research has indicated that critical thinking dispositions uniquely contribute to academic performance beyond general cognition (Ren et al., 2020), and may help to reduce unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy beliefs (Bensley, 2023; Lantian et al., 2021).

But before we can study the potential impact of critical thinking dispositions, it is necessary to have a reliable, valid, and hopefully brief measure for this construct. I will discuss the development and validation of a measure of critical thinking dispositions in another post.

Bensley, D.A. ( 2023.) Critical thinking, intelligence, and unsubstantiated beliefs: An integrative review. Journal of Intelligence, 1 , 207. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11110207

Bensley, D.A. (2018). Critical thinking in psychology and everyday life: A guide to effective thinking . New York: Worth Publishers.

Butler, H.A., & Halpern, D.F. (2019). Is critical thinking a better model of intelligence? In Robert J. Sternberg (Ed.) The Nature of Intelligence (pp. 183–96). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cheung, C.-K, Rudowicz. E., Kwan, A., & Yue, X.. (2002). Assessing university students’ general and specific criticalthinking. College Student Journal, 36 , 504 – 25.

Demir, E. (2022). An examination of high school students’ critical thinking dispositions and analytical thinking skills. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 6 , 190–200. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202217357

Dewey, J. (1933). How we think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process . Lexington: Heath and Company.

Dwyer, C. P. (2017). Critical thinking: Conceptual perspectives and practical guidelines . Cambridge: CambridgeUniversity Press.

Facione, P., Facione, N,C,, & Giancarlo, C.A.F. (2001(. California Critical Disposition Inventory . Millbrae: California Academic Press.

Gerber, S., Scott, L., Clements, D.H., & Sarama, J. (2005). Instructor influence on reasoned argument in discussion boards. Educational Technology, Research & Development, 53 , 25–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504864

Halpern, D. F., & Dunn, D.S. (2021). Critical thinking: A model of intelligence for solving real-world problems. Journal of Intelligence, 9 , 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence9020022

Kurland, D. (1995). I know what it says… What does it mean? Critical skills for critical reading . Belmont: Wadsworth.

Lantian, A., Bagneux, V., Delouvee, S., & Gauvrit, N. (2021). Maybe a free thinker but not a critical one: High conspiracybelief is associated with low critical thinking ability. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 35 , 674 – 84. https://doi.org/10.1002/acp.3790

Ren, X., Tong, Y., Peng, P. & Wang, T. (2020). Critical thinking predicts academic performance beyond general cognitiveability: Evidence from adults and children. Intelligence, 82 , 101487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2020.101487

Stoyanov, S., & Kirschner, P. ( 2007). Effect of problem solving support and cognitive styles on idea generation:Implications for technology-enhanced learning. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 40 , 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2007.10782496

Kyle D. Killian, Ph.D., LMFT is the author of Interracial Couples, Intimacy and Therapy: Crossing Racial Borders.

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It’s increasingly common for someone to be diagnosed with a condition such as ADHD or autism as an adult. A diagnosis often brings relief, but it can also come with as many questions as answers.

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