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Shakespeare-Upon-Avon and the Benefits of Face-Saving

Both Shakespeare and Erving Goffman revealed how pervasive and important are the ritualized, reciprocal ways we maintain a positive public self and that of others, too.

Both Shakespeare and Erving Goffman revealed how pervasive and important are the ritualized, reciprocal ways we maintain a positive public self and that of others, too.

Closeness Between Men

Female friendships tend to be more intimate than male friendships. Is that because men and women prefer different things when it comes to friendship?

Female friendships tend to be more intimate than male friendships. Is that because men and women prefer different things when it comes to friendship?

The Second Great Toilet Paper Panic

Personal Perspective: There is a rush to buy toilet paper based on misinformation. What shortage there may be will be caused by the panic to buy it.

Personal Perspective: There is a rush to buy toilet paper based on misinformation. What shortage there may be will be caused by the panic to buy it.

Speaking the Unspeakable: What Holds Us Back from Sharing?

Some ideas spread like wildfire, while others stay hidden. How viral and dormant memes reveal the hidden social forces shaping what we share—and what we don’t.

Some ideas spread like wildfire, while others stay hidden. How viral and dormant memes reveal the hidden social forces shaping what we share—and what we don’t.

The Colorful Language of Subterfuge

English has many color-related terms to describe the deceptive practices of individuals and organizations.

English has many color-related terms to describe the deceptive practices of individuals and organizations.

Depression Is Contagious

New findings highlight the potential role of physical contact in the "transmission" of depression.

New findings highlight the potential role of physical contact in the "transmission" of depression.

How Envy Undermines Competition

Envy can’t celebrate the victories of other people. It is insecure and insatiable, and it will always have more work to do to assert itself as superior. Envy is exhausting.

Envy can’t celebrate the victories of other people. It is insecure and insatiable, and it will always have more work to do to assert itself as superior. Envy is exhausting.

Why Can't I Get a Second Date?

There are many factors to consider when struggling with dating, including our own behavior.

There are many factors to consider when struggling with dating, including our own behavior.

Illustration from Poe's ' The Murders in the Rue Morgue'
"Accidental Sagacity" in New Discoveries

Will technological advances affect the generation of new ideas by altering the likelihood of in-person casual meetings and opportunities for serendipitous observations?

Will technological advances affect the generation of new ideas by altering the likelihood of in-person casual meetings and opportunities for serendipitous observations?

Is It Wrong to Remain Silent After Hearing a Slur?

What do you do when someone you're talking to makes a slur against a marginalized group? Must we say something, or is it enough to stay silent? Let's see what philosophers say.

What do you do when someone you're talking to makes a slur against a marginalized group? Must we say something, or is it enough to stay silent? Let's see what philosophers say.

Bold Romantic Pursuit: How Much Is Too Much?

Your new love interest makes some bold moves to express admiration: Are you flattered or frightened?

Your new love interest makes some bold moves to express admiration: Are you flattered or frightened?

Voting's Relationship to Mental Health

Voting is a powerful pathway to register our connection with others, in our dissatisfactions, pragmatic goals, and vision for a better future. It can help reduce collective bias.

Voting is a powerful pathway to register our connection with others, in our dissatisfactions, pragmatic goals, and vision for a better future. It can help reduce collective bias.

Effortless Is a Myth

Much of the competition for social status involves the right performance. The key is to make it look like you’re not trying or don't even care.

Much of the competition for social status involves the right performance. The key is to make it look like you’re not trying or don't even care.

Testosterone and Social Status

Rising testosterone levels produce the increased confidence that accrues to social status as well as increased assertiveness.

Rising testosterone levels produce the increased confidence that accrues to social status as well as increased assertiveness.

Elite Athletics and the Social Nervous System

From rookies to GOATS, we’re physiologically, psychologically, emotionally, and socially connected to each other, and we can use that connection for elite performance.

From rookies to GOATS, we’re physiologically, psychologically, emotionally, and socially connected to each other, and we can use that connection for elite performance.

Do You Live in a Happy Place?

If you're surrounded by people who curse a lot in their tweets, you probably live in an unhappy town, a recent study reports.

If you're surrounded by people who curse a lot in their tweets, you probably live in an unhappy town, a recent study reports.

Modern Parenting Is Bad for Your Health

Today's parents are stressed and overwhelmed. Here's what the Surgeon General recommends.

Today's parents are stressed and overwhelmed. Here's what the Surgeon General recommends.

Conquering Workplace Anxiety Through Civility

Professional life is uncertain; personal life doesn’t need to be. Civility improves the ability to accept change.

Professional life is uncertain; personal life doesn’t need to be. Civility improves the ability to accept change.

The Importance of Speaking With Intention

Speaking with intention can convey empathy and demonstrates to the listener that we care about them, which can help lift their spirits.

Speaking with intention can convey empathy and demonstrates to the listener that we care about them, which can help lift their spirits.

Why Animal Companions Matter

For many people, coming home after a long day of work and being greeted by the wagging tail of a dog or the soft purr of a cat is the highlight of their day. This is why.

For many people, coming home after a long day of work and being greeted by the wagging tail of a dog or the soft purr of a cat is the highlight of their day. This is why.

Persuasive Language to Build a Loving Connection

It isn’t always easy to create and maintain an intimate connection with a romantic partner. Using the right persuasive words can help.

It isn’t always easy to create and maintain an intimate connection with a romantic partner. Using the right persuasive words can help.

Who Is Family and Why Does It Matter?

Who do you consider family? There is no single way to be a family and there are benefits to taking an inclusive approach to family.

Who do you consider family? There is no single way to be a family and there are benefits to taking an inclusive approach to family.

Human See, Human Do: We Imitate, Even if Others Dislike It

When we talk to each other, we often (unconsciously) copy each other’s behaviors. How deliberate is this imitative behavior?

When we talk to each other, we often (unconsciously) copy each other’s behaviors. How deliberate is this imitative behavior?

Who Does What?: Choosing Roles for Gay Couples

Gender roles in relationships are being challenged all the time, but many male couples still find themselves without clear direction or support.

Gender roles in relationships are being challenged all the time, but many male couples still find themselves without clear direction or support.

5 Ways to Help With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Optimal care for an individual with ADHD involves employing environmental measures such as described in this blog as well as treatment for the condition.

Optimal care for an individual with ADHD involves employing environmental measures such as described in this blog as well as treatment for the condition.