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Evolution of the Self

On the paradoxes of personality

Ethics and Morality
“Civil War”: Action Flick or Wake-Up Call?

Leon F Seltzer PhD on April 11, 2024

Review: The film’s carefully mapped-out confusion seems to reflect director Alex Garland’s key point--war, civil or international, ultimately blurs crucial moral distinctions.

Review: The film’s carefully mapped-out confusion seems to reflect director Alex Garland’s key point--war, civil or international, ultimately blurs crucial moral distinctions.

Emotional Abuse
Does Your Partner Really Want to Control You?

Leon F Seltzer PhD on April 3, 2024

Here are six ways that the actual motives of your partner’s frustrating, overbearing behavior may—contrary to your conclusions—have little or nothing to do with their intent.

Here are six ways that the actual motives of your partner’s frustrating, overbearing behavior may—contrary to your conclusions—have little or nothing to do with their intent.

Gaslighting
How Parents Can Gaslight Their Children

Leon F Seltzer PhD on March 13, 2024

However invalidating their parents’ response may feel, a young child—assuming their parents have superior knowledge—is apt to doubt the authenticity of their personal experience.

However invalidating their parents’ response may feel, a young child—assuming their parents have superior knowledge—is apt to doubt the authenticity of their personal experience.

"Come on now--Is that really the truth?"
Deception
The Evolution of Lying: As We Mature, so Does Our Lying

Leon F Seltzer PhD on February 21, 2024

As children grow older, their lying becomes more knowing and more sophisticated. And their reasons for lying become more varied and increasingly similar to their parents'.

As children grow older, their lying becomes more knowing and more sophisticated. And their reasons for lying become more varied and increasingly similar to their parents'.

Relationships
Why Silence in a Relationship Isn't Golden

Leon F Seltzer PhD on January 24, 2024

The undeniable realities of social communication should convince us that the maxim to avoid saying anything “not nice” requires far more qualification than the saying suggests.

The undeniable realities of social communication should convince us that the maxim to avoid saying anything “not nice” requires far more qualification than the saying suggests.

Growth Mindset
4 Benefits of Remaining Calm When You’re Criticized

Leon F Seltzer PhD on January 10, 2024

The benefits of accepting criticism all relate to the chance to reevaluate the possibly false assumptions or erroneous conclusions you mistakenly may have made.

The benefits of accepting criticism all relate to the chance to reevaluate the possibly false assumptions or erroneous conclusions you mistakenly may have made.

Emotional Validation
Five Powerful Solutions for Neediness

Leon F Seltzer PhD on December 13, 2023

To change obsolete programming, you have to become aware of it, and you have to be sufficiently incentivized to break free of psychological defenses.

To change obsolete programming, you have to become aware of it, and you have to be sufficiently incentivized to break free of psychological defenses.

Relationships
Six Key Reasons to Avoid Feeling Needy and Dependent

Leon F Seltzer PhD on December 6, 2023

If you can’t take care of your own needs, you’ll desperately depend on another to address them—and that almost guarantees that eventually the relationship will fail.

If you can’t take care of your own needs, you’ll desperately depend on another to address them—and that almost guarantees that eventually the relationship will fail.

Relationships
Seeing Both Sides and Embracing a Fresh Perspective

Leon F Seltzer PhD on November 20, 2023

The felt need to be right can require you to invalidate anyone whose perspective substantially differs from yours, and in close relationships that can be fatal.

The felt need to be right can require you to invalidate anyone whose perspective substantially differs from yours, and in close relationships that can be fatal.

Depression
Depression and Recklessness: Can They Be Blood Brothers?

Leon F Seltzer PhD on November 8, 2023

When it hardly matters to a depressive whether they live or die, they’re at increased risk for behaving recklessly, for at least it distracts them from intolerable emotional pain.

When it hardly matters to a depressive whether they live or die, they’re at increased risk for behaving recklessly, for at least it distracts them from intolerable emotional pain.

Self-Help
7 Reasons Why Too Much Patience Can Sabotage You

Leon F Seltzer PhD on October 25, 2023

Many disappointing downsides exist for a person with too much patience. Their very passivity can lead to results as personally unexpected as they are undesirable.

Many disappointing downsides exist for a person with too much patience. Their very passivity can lead to results as personally unexpected as they are undesirable.

Health
How We Can Be Agile, Balanced, and Resilient Like a Cat

Leon F Seltzer PhD on October 11, 2023

Because of their unusual strength and buoyancy, cats have been viewed, hypothetically, as having nine lives. But with discipline, we can develop what's innate for them.

Because of their unusual strength and buoyancy, cats have been viewed, hypothetically, as having nine lives. But with discipline, we can develop what's innate for them.

Bias
5 Reasons Why People Don’t Think More Psychologically

Leon F Seltzer PhD on September 27, 2023

Widespread cognitive biases discourage too many of us from delving deeper—and so better understanding—the psychological motivations of others.

Widespread cognitive biases discourage too many of us from delving deeper—and so better understanding—the psychological motivations of others.

Relationships
How Are Narcissistic Love Bombers and Their Prey Similar?

Leon F Seltzer PhD on September 18, 2023

However unconsciously, both the narcissist and his victim long for an intimate, loving relationship that will offer them everything chronically absent when they were growing up.

However unconsciously, both the narcissist and his victim long for an intimate, loving relationship that will offer them everything chronically absent when they were growing up.

Relationships
Commitment and Freedom: Can Couples Have It Both Ways?

Leon F Seltzer PhD on August 16, 2023

Have you struggled to find the right balance between maintaining an intimate relationship with your partner and preserving your autonomy? For it’s best not to sacrifice either.

Have you struggled to find the right balance between maintaining an intimate relationship with your partner and preserving your autonomy? For it’s best not to sacrifice either.

Self-Harm
Six Paradoxes That Explain the Dynamics of Self-Injury

Leon F Seltzer PhD on August 2, 2023

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as an immediate remedy for severe stress and emotional overwhelm is curiously adaptive, though in the longer term, it’s flagrantly maladaptive.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as an immediate remedy for severe stress and emotional overwhelm is curiously adaptive, though in the longer term, it’s flagrantly maladaptive.

Humor
What Are 5 Overlooked Downsides of Humor?

Leon F Seltzer PhD on July 19, 2023

Often, humor is personally and socially advantageous. But, sadly, it can also be aggressive, anti-social, and detrimental to people's welfare.

Often, humor is personally and socially advantageous. But, sadly, it can also be aggressive, anti-social, and detrimental to people's welfare.