Intersections

Relationships

Contempt Poisons Relationships, but Appreciation Heals

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on March 25, 2026

Contempt and criticism are relationship killers. Developing a climate of appreciation and gratitude is key to sustaining a couple's relationship.

Contempt and criticism are relationship killers. Developing a climate of appreciation and gratitude is key to sustaining a couple's relationship.

Identity

Why Changing Your Mind Is a Critical Strength Not a Weakness

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on February 27, 2026

Critical thinking helps us to check and update our personal views and biases, to avoid oversimplifying reality, and to help us realize when we've been wrong about something.

Critical thinking helps us to check and update our personal views and biases, to avoid oversimplifying reality, and to help us realize when we've been wrong about something.

Relationships

Relationship Advice: Curb Your Enthusiasm for Phubbing

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on February 11, 2026

Scrolling on screens may feel irresistible at times, but setting your phone aside during conversations can benefit all your relationships. Here's why.

Scrolling on screens may feel irresistible at times, but setting your phone aside during conversations can benefit all your relationships. Here's why.

Artificial Intelligence

"What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve, AI?" The Rise of Singlehood

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on December 23, 2025

Singlehood is on the rise. The impacts of technology in the forms of social media, dating apps, and the availability of AI companions are explored.

Singlehood is on the rise. The impacts of technology in the forms of social media, dating apps, and the availability of AI companions are explored.

Happiness

Being Kind to Others and to Oneself All at Once

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on November 14, 2025

It turns out that there is something for you in being kind to others.

It turns out that there is something for you in being kind to others.

Loneliness

Why So Many People Are Social but Still Lonely

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on October 8, 2025

The troubling experience of epistemic loneliness.

The troubling experience of epistemic loneliness.

Loneliness

Why So Many Married People Still Feel Lonely

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on September 18, 2025

Not every spouse sees their partner as a confidant.

Not every spouse sees their partner as a confidant.

Loneliness

Lonely? 3 Effective Coping Strategies Could Help

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on September 11, 2025

Are you or someone you know lonely? Research points to three ways to cope.

Are you or someone you know lonely? Research points to three ways to cope.

Loneliness

The Loneliest of All: Younger Men in the US

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on September 4, 2025

Young American males report greater loneliness than their counterparts in other countries. What can be done about it?

Young American males report greater loneliness than their counterparts in other countries. What can be done about it?

Personality

Affective Appeal: How Uncivil Candidates Gain Office

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on June 12, 2025

Are you running for office but have a casual relationship with truth and facts, and are a bully with no filter? Thanks to affective appeal, you can still be elected.

Are you running for office but have a casual relationship with truth and facts, and are a bully with no filter? Thanks to affective appeal, you can still be elected.

Personality

Once More With Feeling: How Affective Appeal Can Trump All

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on May 30, 2025

While many people still hold honesty, warmth, and compassion in high esteem, these positive personality characteristics can become less important under some circumstances. Why?

While many people still hold honesty, warmth, and compassion in high esteem, these positive personality characteristics can become less important under some circumstances. Why?

Dark Triad

Cynicism, Political Nihilism, and Need for Chaos

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on May 2, 2025

Who are "need for chaos" voters, and why do they want to see everything burn to the ground?

Who are "need for chaos" voters, and why do they want to see everything burn to the ground?

Pessimism

C Is for Cynicism: How It Can Impact Your Well-Being

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on March 21, 2025

Find out the effects of cynicism and what might be a healthier alternative.

Find out the effects of cynicism and what might be a healthier alternative.

Politics

N Is for Nihilism: What it Is and Why it Matters

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on January 24, 2025

Why is nihilism important, and what impacts can have it how we evaluate claims from those in power?

Why is nihilism important, and what impacts can have it how we evaluate claims from those in power?

Self-Help

New Year, New You? A Different Take on “Resolutions”

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on January 1, 2025

Instead of a list of highly ambitious resolutions, there are less stressful ways of approaching a new year.

Instead of a list of highly ambitious resolutions, there are less stressful ways of approaching a new year.

Stress

Manage Holiday Stress or Blues With the Gift of Self-Care

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on November 2, 2024

During the holidays, we can feel overwhelmed by pressure, emotions, and memories. Here are four strategies for navigating this stressful season.

During the holidays, we can feel overwhelmed by pressure, emotions, and memories. Here are four strategies for navigating this stressful season.

Cognition

Critical Thinking Can Reduce Belief in Conspiracy Theories

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on October 21, 2024

Poor critical thinking skills is associated with belief in conspiracies without evidence.

Poor critical thinking skills is associated with belief in conspiracies without evidence.

Bias

Misogyny and Its Everyday Expressions

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on October 2, 2024

What is misogyny, how is it expressed, and what are its impacts?

What is misogyny, how is it expressed, and what are its impacts?

Cognition

Development of the Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on September 27, 2024

A short measure of adults’ motivation for intellectual engagement and a willingness to evaluate information could prove valuable in explaining some social attitudes and beliefs.

A short measure of adults’ motivation for intellectual engagement and a willingness to evaluate information could prove valuable in explaining some social attitudes and beliefs.

Cognition

Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Matters

Kyle D. Killian Ph.D., LMFT on September 23, 2024

Critical thinking dispositions are important for many reasons. But to explore their impact, we need a valid measure.

Critical thinking dispositions are important for many reasons. But to explore their impact, we need a valid measure.