Social Instincts

Relationships

2 Ways Giving Advice Can Make Someone Feel Worse

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 8, 2026

Even if well-intentioned, your advice can still land the wrong way.

Even if well-intentioned, your advice can still land the wrong way.

Decision-Making

3 Reasons Intelligent People Can Be More Indecisive Than Others

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 7, 2026

You don’t win by finding the best option; you win by getting your time back.

You don’t win by finding the best option; you win by getting your time back.

Self-Help

3 Ways That Self-Awareness Can Make Life Feel Harder

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 6, 2026

Self-reflection should lead to wiser choices, not endless mental loops.

Self-reflection should lead to wiser choices, not endless mental loops.

Productivity

2 Productivity 'Rules' Successful People Ignore—on Purpose

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 5, 2026

Which rules are working with your brain, and which ones are working against it?

Which rules are working with your brain, and which ones are working against it?

Relationships

3 Signs That a Couple Is Drifting Apart

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 4, 2026

Three things that couples stop doing in their relationship before drifting apart.

Three things that couples stop doing in their relationship before drifting apart.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

3 Ways Good Parents Can Traumatize Their Children

Mark Travers Ph.D. on May 1, 2026

3. Being affectionate, but not consistent.

3. Being affectionate, but not consistent.

Loneliness

2 Reasons Why Intelligent People Face Higher Loneliness

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 30, 2026

Intelligent people have social needs that often look different from the norm.

Intelligent people have social needs that often look different from the norm.

Confidence

3 Unconscious Habits That Make You Look Less Confident

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 29, 2026

Three signals that communicate confidence to others that unfold unconsciously.

Three signals that communicate confidence to others that unfold unconsciously.

Happiness

The 3 Most Common Ways We Undermine Our Happiness

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 27, 2026

Three overlooked psychological needs that profoundly shape your well-being.

Three overlooked psychological needs that profoundly shape your well-being.

Productivity

3 Ways to Turn Overwhelm Into Productivity

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 24, 2026

Overwhelm, when reappraised, tells you what matters most.

Overwhelm, when reappraised, tells you what matters most.

Highly Sensitive Person

3 Ways to Support Your Highly Sensitive Child

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 23, 2026

How parents can facilitate their hypersensitive children's happiness.

How parents can facilitate their hypersensitive children's happiness.

Emotions

Why Humans Shed Emotional Tears but No Other Animal Does

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 22, 2026

A loud signal and a social glue.

A loud signal and a social glue.

Relationships

3 Signs That You're Better Off Single

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 21, 2026

Who are you when no one's watching?

Who are you when no one's watching?

Attention

The Habit You Don't Realize Is Hurting Your Productivity

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 20, 2026

How habitual task-switching leaves you with greater attention residue.

How habitual task-switching leaves you with greater attention residue.

Fear

3 Ways to Overcome the Fear of Judgment

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 17, 2026

Don't let worries about negative evaluation prevent you from living life. Here's what to try instead.

Don't let worries about negative evaluation prevent you from living life. Here's what to try instead.

Therapy

3 Things You Can Learn About Yourself Without Therapy

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 16, 2026

There are powerful proven ways to gain self-knowledge on your own.

There are powerful proven ways to gain self-knowledge on your own.

Parenting

3 Reasons to Stop Hiding Your Bad Habits From Your Kids

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 14, 2026

Hiding your flaws won't teach a child the importance of honesty. Here's why.

Hiding your flaws won't teach a child the importance of honesty. Here's why.

Relationships

3 Downsides of Being an "Easy" Partner

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 13, 2026

3. You're easy to be with, but hard to know.

3. You're easy to be with, but hard to know.

Relationships

3 Signs of Outsourcing Intimacy in a Relationship

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 10, 2026

3. Relying on rituals instead of relationship skills.

3. Relying on rituals instead of relationship skills.

Self-Help

2 Signs You're Shrinking Your Needs

Mark Travers Ph.D. on April 9, 2026

Two ways we dismiss our own needs and wants for the sake of others.

Two ways we dismiss our own needs and wants for the sake of others.