Genes, Environments, and Human Behavior

Addiction

How to Know if You Are at Risk for Addiction

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on March 21, 2024

Discover the intricate link between genetics and addiction, unraveling pathways that shape susceptibility and empowering informed choices.

Discover the intricate link between genetics and addiction, unraveling pathways that shape susceptibility and empowering informed choices.

Parenting

An Evidence-Based Strategy for Talking to Teens

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on September 27, 2023

Skills every parent can use in conversations with their child to help motivate behavior change — without imposing solutions.

Skills every parent can use in conversations with their child to help motivate behavior change — without imposing solutions.

Parenting

How to Talk So Teenagers Will Actually Listen

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

A scientifically-based way to talk to your teenager about how to make good decisions and find their path (without resorting to lecturing).

A scientifically-based way to talk to your teenager about how to make good decisions and find their path (without resorting to lecturing).

Adolescence

Why We Need to Rethink Substance-Use Prevention

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on May 18, 2023

How to foster engagement, equip young people with skills relevant to their personality traits, and reduce the risk of substance use.

How to foster engagement, equip young people with skills relevant to their personality traits, and reduce the risk of substance use.

Adolescence

Teen Substance Use

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on March 15, 2023

Did you know that the average age of onset for substance use disorder is in the early 20s? Learn specific strategies to help your teen make positive and healthy choices.

Did you know that the average age of onset for substance use disorder is in the early 20s? Learn specific strategies to help your teen make positive and healthy choices.

Genetics

How Genes Can Influence Problem Drinking

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on December 7, 2022

When we understand the intermediary traits that indicate risk, we can work on curbing potential problems and channeling those dispositions for good.

When we understand the intermediary traits that indicate risk, we can work on curbing potential problems and channeling those dispositions for good.

Health

Evidence-Based Tools for Preventing School Shootings

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on November 15, 2022

School shootings have sparked contentious debates, but what does the science say? Research demonstrates that these tragedies are preventable.

School shootings have sparked contentious debates, but what does the science say? Research demonstrates that these tragedies are preventable.

Alcoholism

The 4 Main Reasons Why We Drink

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on October 31, 2022

Have you ever considered why you drink alcohol? Your reason could indicate your risk of developing problems.

Have you ever considered why you drink alcohol? Your reason could indicate your risk of developing problems.

Media

Keeping Teens Safe From Trendy Social Media Challenges

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on September 30, 2022

It is important for parents to be aware of dangerous social media challenges, to understand why teens are drawn to them, and to learn how to respond effectively.

It is important for parents to be aware of dangerous social media challenges, to understand why teens are drawn to them, and to learn how to respond effectively.

Motivation

Should We Be Concerned About Cannabis Use Among Youth?

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on September 23, 2022

As more states legalize marijuana, the availability and acceptability of the drug will continue to increase—but that doesn’t mean that marijuana is harmless.

As more states legalize marijuana, the availability and acceptability of the drug will continue to increase—but that doesn’t mean that marijuana is harmless.

Health

At What Point Does Drinking Start to Hurt Your Health?

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on September 12, 2022

If you don’t drink heavily, is it really that bad? A comprehensive global study may have the answers.

If you don’t drink heavily, is it really that bad? A comprehensive global study may have the answers.

ADHD

The Chaos of Raising Children

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on June 13, 2022

Do you find yourself asking why?! Why can’t I manage to keep up with the house, kids, and day-to-day that is life? See what researchers say.

Do you find yourself asking why?! Why can’t I manage to keep up with the house, kids, and day-to-day that is life? See what researchers say.

Intelligence

Strategies for Growing Your Child's Social Skills

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on May 16, 2022

Actionable steps you can take to develop your child’s social skills and strengthen their emotional intelligence.

Actionable steps you can take to develop your child’s social skills and strengthen their emotional intelligence.

Alcoholism

How the Pandemic Has Affected Minority Youth Substance Use

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on January 28, 2022

COVID-19 led to increased substance use among some minority youth and decreased use in others. New research on predictors of substance use during the pandemic helps explain why.

COVID-19 led to increased substance use among some minority youth and decreased use in others. New research on predictors of substance use during the pandemic helps explain why.

Genetics

5 Ways Children’s Genes Shape their Behavior

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on January 11, 2022

Why do kids do the amazing, crazy, ridiculous, frustrating, and adorable things that they do? The answer to that question can be found, partly, in their genes.

Why do kids do the amazing, crazy, ridiculous, frustrating, and adorable things that they do? The answer to that question can be found, partly, in their genes.

Self-Control

How to Improve Self-Control in Children

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on December 15, 2021

Feel like you're dealing with a child who just won’t listen? Introducing a self-control strategy that works.

Feel like you're dealing with a child who just won’t listen? Introducing a self-control strategy that works.

Parenting

How to Curb Defiant Behavior in Children

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on November 15, 2021

Our default parenting response to stop misbehaving kids is usually ineffective. Here are science-backed strategies that really work.

Our default parenting response to stop misbehaving kids is usually ineffective. Here are science-backed strategies that really work.

Parenting

What’s Your Child’s Unique Nature?

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on November 5, 2021

All children are wired differently. By understanding your child’s unique nature, you can figure out what parenting strategies will be most effective for your child.

All children are wired differently. By understanding your child’s unique nature, you can figure out what parenting strategies will be most effective for your child.

Empathy

How to Navigate Differences of Opinion in Your Relationship

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on October 26, 2021

Do you and your partner have different ways of approaching things? Check out this three-step guide on how to bridge that divide.

Do you and your partner have different ways of approaching things? Check out this three-step guide on how to bridge that divide.

Extroversion

Planning a Day of Fun with Your Child that You Both Enjoy

Danielle M. Dick, Ph.D. on October 12, 2021

Struggling to find activities that both you and your child enjoy? The root may be a mismatch of extraversion levels. Here are some ways to plan fun activities for you both.

Struggling to find activities that both you and your child enjoy? The root may be a mismatch of extraversion levels. Here are some ways to plan fun activities for you both.