Should You Get Even?

When The Count of Monte Cristo plotted his revenge, it sure was satisfying to behold. But for most of us, subtler forms of payback (karma, maybe?) are more fulfilling than outright attacks on those who have wronged us.

When a Friend Wrongs You

Is it best to fight back or try to work things out?
by Irene S. Levine, Ph.D.

Sweet Revenge

Retribution can be delicious when it punctures the pride of the perpetrator.
by Regina Barreca, Ph.D.

Get Even By Getting Even Happier

While hurt and anger evoke desire to punish, other routes lead to healing.
by Susan Heitler, Ph.D.

Choose Empathy Over Gloating

Can you forgive people who get what they deserve?
by Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D.

Happiness

Research on how to increase positive moods and capitalize on your strengths has proliferated lately thanks to the positive psychology movement, and has shed light on ongoing insights into personality, mood, and cognition.

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Law and Crime

Psychology and the law intersect in the field of forensic science. Legal practitioners require a grasp of human motivation at its most basic and most debased in order to render fair judgment.

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Morality

For a topic as subjective as morality, people sure have strong beliefs about what's right and wrong. Yet even though morals can vary from person to person and culture to culture, many are practically universal, as they result from basic human emotions. We may think of moralizing as an intellectual exercise, but more frequently it's an attempt to make sense of our gut instincts.

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