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In Love and War

Rethinking the way we treat ourselves.

Workplace Dynamics
When Generosity Leads to Exploitation at Work

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

New research finds that employees who already go above and beyond are more likely to be given additional work. Here’s why this happens, and what can be done to prevent it.

New research finds that employees who already go above and beyond are more likely to be given additional work. Here’s why this happens, and what can be done to prevent it.

Ethics and Morality
5 Reasons Why People Blame Victims

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 6, 2023

Sometimes the people who bear the least responsibility for a bad situation receive the most amount of judgment and criticism. What can explain this?

Sometimes the people who bear the least responsibility for a bad situation receive the most amount of judgment and criticism. What can explain this?

Relationships
When One Partner Has Too Much Power

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on May 31, 2023

Research has found that feeling powerless in relation to your romantic partner can have a range of negative consequences. Here’s why they occur and how to identify them.

Research has found that feeling powerless in relation to your romantic partner can have a range of negative consequences. Here’s why they occur and how to identify them.

Bias
4 Cognitive Biases That Can Impair Pandemic Decision-Making

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on December 23, 2021

As we navigate risk-related decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing potential biases in our judgments may help us make choices we feel good about.

As we navigate risk-related decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing potential biases in our judgments may help us make choices we feel good about.

Altruism
Why Some People Really Resent Do-Gooders

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on October 18, 2021

Someone who donates a kidney to a stranger seems worthy of high praise. But reactions to a recent viral article reveal that this is not always what happens.

Someone who donates a kidney to a stranger seems worthy of high praise. But reactions to a recent viral article reveal that this is not always what happens.

Health
Can Being Kind to Yourself Improve Health?

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Coping with health challenges can be stressful. Research suggests that self-compassion may help quell health-related anxieties and motivate us to address problems proactively.

Coping with health challenges can be stressful. Research suggests that self-compassion may help quell health-related anxieties and motivate us to address problems proactively.

Politics
4 Deeper Psychological Causes of Mask-Related Hostility

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

Do you find yourself feeling irritated when you see someone wearing a mask? Here are four potential reasons for this reaction that you might not have considered before.

Do you find yourself feeling irritated when you see someone wearing a mask? Here are four potential reasons for this reaction that you might not have considered before.

Deception
3 Ways We Lie to Ourselves

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on June 14, 2021

The whole point of self-deception is that we don’t know we’re doing it. But the truth has subtle ways of revealing itself to us.

The whole point of self-deception is that we don’t know we’re doing it. But the truth has subtle ways of revealing itself to us.

Friends
Why We May Not Realize That Our Friends Are Struggling

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on May 25, 2021

When we’re struggling, it can feel like no one else would understand. But it’s possible that others are going through the exact same thing—and we’re just not seeing it.

When we’re struggling, it can feel like no one else would understand. But it’s possible that others are going through the exact same thing—and we’re just not seeing it.

Career
How Being a People-Pleaser May Harm Performance at Work

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on March 23, 2021

In a job interview or other high stakes context, it can be tempting to say what you think the other person wants to hear. But catering to others' expectations can backfire.

In a job interview or other high stakes context, it can be tempting to say what you think the other person wants to hear. But catering to others' expectations can backfire.

Stress
3 Situations Where Giving Support Can Increase Stress

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on December 14, 2020

Supporting others not only benefits the recipient; it can also benefit the giver by reducing stress and improving well-being. But this is only true under certain conditions.

Supporting others not only benefits the recipient; it can also benefit the giver by reducing stress and improving well-being. But this is only true under certain conditions.