Blogs

The Narcissus in All of Us

Reflections on the self, personality, and what makes you, "you."

by Joshua D. Foster and Ilan Shrira

November 7, 2009

Prior convictions and the end of ideology

By Ilan Shrira

At what point do our beliefs begin to harden and become so resistant to change? Read More

September 21, 2009

Increasing self-control by appreciating nothing

By Joshua D. Foster

Would you rather have one cookie now or two cookies an hour from now? What's missing from this question that might help you (and your kids) make better decisions? Read More

August 1, 2009

The occupation with the highest suicide rate

By Ilan Shrira

It's not police officers, nor military personnel, nor even dentists.

April 24, 2009

Sunshine and suicide

By Ilan Shrira

If you ever want to stump someone with a trivia question, ask this: "In which month are suicide rates highest?" Read More

March 16, 2009

Mass Murder is Nothing to Fear

By Joshua D. Foster

It will be interesting to see what results from the two recent incidents of mass murder than occurred in Alabama and Germany. To the extent that the past is prologue, we should expect to see plenty of public fear and extreme reactions from officials and politicians. Both can be traced, at least to some degree, to a cognitive shortcut called the availability heuristic. Read More

March 14, 2009

History’s mysteries: Why do birth rates decrease when societies modernize?

By Ilan Shrira

Starting in Europe in the late 1800s and continuing today, birth rates have been declining in societies as they become more affluent, industrialized, and technologically advanced. In fact, fertility output is dropping so precipitously in some countries -- such as Japan, Germany, and Italy -- that their total population is now in decline.

January 9, 2009

When Parents Play Favorites

By Ilan Shrira

A large proportion of parents display consistent favoritism toward one child over another. This favoritism can manifest in different ways: more time spent with one child, more affection given, more privileges, less discipline, or less abuse. We discuss some of the causes and consequences of parental favoritism, which occurs in 1/3 to 2/3 of American families. Read More

November 22, 2008

What we see when we see movies

By Ilan Shrira

Which of these groups is portrayed most favorably in American movies?

a) Smokers; b) Psychiatrists; c) CEOs; d) P.E. teachers

Read on...

October 31, 2008

Narcissists Don't Make Love

By Joshua D. Foster

When you think of sex, what are some words that come to mind? Do you think that your partner thinks the same way? If you are more or less narcissistic than your partner, then answer is probably no and this may have implications for your relationship. Read More

October 18, 2008

The unseen dynamic of good parenting

By Ilan Shrira

Much of what determines a child's emotional stability and the skills to develop healthy relationships as they get older has to do with the way parents respond to a child's emotions as they arise in everyday situations. These parental strategies are actually quite simple. Read More

Personality Basics

Questions of personality have vexed mankind from the dawn of personhood: can people change? How do others perceive me? What is the difference between normal and pathological behavior? One's personality is so pervasive and all-important that it presents a clinical paradox of sorts: it is hard to assess our own personality, impossible to overlook that of others.

Go to the Personality Basics page for more on Personality including:

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