Johan Karremans' research focuses on the factors that determine success and failure of social relationships: who are better capable of maintaining healthy social relationships (including with a romantic partner), and what are the relationship-specific processes that characterise a well functioning social relationship. He has focused in particular on the role of executive control (inhibitory control), and more recently on the role of mindfulness, and how they affect a number of relationship processes and decisions (such as forgiveness; sacrifice; coping with attractive alternatives)