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Darwin's Subterranean World

Evolution, Mind, and Mating Intelligence

Forgiveness
3 Reasons to Forgive

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on December 5, 2024

Forgiving others is often difficult or impossible. That said, genuine forgiveness—when appropriate—can lead to social and emotional benefits.

Forgiving others is often difficult or impossible. That said, genuine forgiveness—when appropriate—can lead to social and emotional benefits.

Relationships
Don't Be Someone's Second Potato

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on November 4, 2024

How one sees their current partner relative to their former partners predicts relationship satisfaction. Being someone else's "second potato" is a recipe for relationship failure.

How one sees their current partner relative to their former partners predicts relationship satisfaction. Being someone else's "second potato" is a recipe for relationship failure.

Leadership
Self-Oriented Versus Other-Oriented Leadership

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on October 29, 2024

Ever wonder why some leaders seem genuinely to care about "the people," while others seem to reach the top by being self-oriented? The research presented here can help explain why.

Ever wonder why some leaders seem genuinely to care about "the people," while others seem to reach the top by being self-oriented? The research presented here can help explain why.

Politics
When Politics Gets Personal

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on October 25, 2024

Political fissures are tearing our nation apart. To what extent do people let political attitudes affect personal relationships? The study described here addresses just that.

Political fissures are tearing our nation apart. To what extent do people let political attitudes affect personal relationships? The study described here addresses just that.

Forgiveness
Why Forgiveness Can Be So Difficult

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on August 22, 2024

Although forgiveness may seem like "the right thing to do," forgiving others can often fall between difficult and impossible. An evolutionary perspective helps us understand why.

Although forgiveness may seem like "the right thing to do," forgiving others can often fall between difficult and impossible. An evolutionary perspective helps us understand why.

Decision-Making
The Cognitive Architecture of Courage

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on August 2, 2024

When we think of courage, we often think of a bold, emotional trait. True and effective courage actually includes a suite of cognitive processes.

When we think of courage, we often think of a bold, emotional trait. True and effective courage actually includes a suite of cognitive processes.

Emotional Intelligence
The Evolutionary Roots of Emotional Intelligence

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Emotional intelligence is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. As such, evolutionary psychology can help advance our understanding of emotional intelligence. Here's how.

Emotional intelligence is deeply rooted in our evolutionary history. As such, evolutionary psychology can help advance our understanding of emotional intelligence. Here's how.

Politics
A Humanist Take on the Crisis in the Middle East

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on June 6, 2024

Personal Perspective: Humanism has its roots in Darwin's ideas, which put the entirety of life on the same playing field. We need a humanist approach now more than ever.

Personal Perspective: Humanism has its roots in Darwin's ideas, which put the entirety of life on the same playing field. We need a humanist approach now more than ever.

Politics
Free Speech Belongs to All of Us

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on May 18, 2024

A Personal Perspective: When we choose which ideas should be given the right of freedom of expression and which shouldn't, democracy suffers for all of us.

A Personal Perspective: When we choose which ideas should be given the right of freedom of expression and which shouldn't, democracy suffers for all of us.

Evolutionary Psychology
The Evolutionary Psychology of Murphy's Law

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on April 24, 2024

Assuming the worst-case scenario can be unpleasant and problematic. But when you see this kind of thinking from an evolutionary lens, it actually makes a lot of sense. Here's why.

Assuming the worst-case scenario can be unpleasant and problematic. But when you see this kind of thinking from an evolutionary lens, it actually makes a lot of sense. Here's why.

Ethics and Morality
The Person-System Fallacy

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on February 4, 2024

The person/system fallacy occurs when we treat individuals based on system-based information, failing to recognize their individuality. This often leads to problems.

The person/system fallacy occurs when we treat individuals based on system-based information, failing to recognize their individuality. This often leads to problems.

Cognitive Dissonance
Why Do People Double Down?

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on January 22, 2024

When faced with information that goes against our beliefs, we often double down instead of changing our minds, to reduce cognitive dissonance. But it's problematic. Here's why.

When faced with information that goes against our beliefs, we often double down instead of changing our minds, to reduce cognitive dissonance. But it's problematic. Here's why.

Relationships
The Case for Love

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on January 9, 2024

Personal Perspective: In a high-profile article, Hill makes a case for not putting all your eggs in the basket of romantic love. Here is the other side.

Personal Perspective: In a high-profile article, Hill makes a case for not putting all your eggs in the basket of romantic love. Here is the other side.

Education
Discovering Natural Selection Was Like "Confessing a Murder"

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on December 12, 2023

In an act of self-censorship, Darwin sat on natural selection for decades. He knew that these ideas would permanently change our understanding of life. And, ultimately, they did.

In an act of self-censorship, Darwin sat on natural selection for decades. He knew that these ideas would permanently change our understanding of life. And, ultimately, they did.

Education
There's No Way I'm Publishing That!

Glenn Geher Ph.D. on December 5, 2023

Many scholars report that they engage in self-censorship, opting to not publish or study certain phenomena. Short-term outcomes may be benign. Long-term outcomes may be disastrous.

Many scholars report that they engage in self-censorship, opting to not publish or study certain phenomena. Short-term outcomes may be benign. Long-term outcomes may be disastrous.