Happiness and the Pursuit of Leadership

Loneliness

Why Did a Major Newspaper Get a Random Woman Fired?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

Why did the Washington Post publish a story in June 2020 about an offensive costume at a Halloween party in 2018? Is social isolation making us all mean?

Why did the Washington Post publish a story in June 2020 about an offensive costume at a Halloween party in 2018? Is social isolation making us all mean?

Psychology

The Apocalyptic Psychology of Mobs—and Media

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 26, 2020

Apocalyptic psychology is a quest for absolute moral purity and the power to enforce it. A heightened focus on moral contamination may be related to a focus on viral contamination.

Apocalyptic psychology is a quest for absolute moral purity and the power to enforce it. A heightened focus on moral contamination may be related to a focus on viral contamination.

Gratitude

Four Things to Create a Quarantine of Kindness

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 28, 2020

Tips for a better experience during a stay-at-home order.

Tips for a better experience during a stay-at-home order.

Stress

Stay Social While Engaging in Social Distancing

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 19, 2020

Human beings are meant to be around others. We are social, not solitary beings. This period of physical distancing will be challenging. But it's not insurmountable.

Human beings are meant to be around others. We are social, not solitary beings. This period of physical distancing will be challenging. But it's not insurmountable.

Education

Why Do Democrats and Republicans Hate Each Other?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 9, 2020

A recent study found that 15% of Republicans and 20% of Democrats think the country would be better off if large numbers of opposing partisans “just died.” What is going on?

A recent study found that 15% of Republicans and 20% of Democrats think the country would be better off if large numbers of opposing partisans “just died.” What is going on?

Relationships

Why New York Times Readers Love to Hate Bret Stephens

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

Columnist Bret Stephens is the object of outrage once again, but his critics are offended by a column he didn't write. Perhaps cognitive bias is to blame.

Columnist Bret Stephens is the object of outrage once again, but his critics are offended by a column he didn't write. Perhaps cognitive bias is to blame.

Bias

When Bigotry Pretends to Be Social Justice

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 21, 2019

An elite, progressive school with an aggressive anti-racism program is accused of rampant bigotry.

An elite, progressive school with an aggressive anti-racism program is accused of rampant bigotry.

Empathy

News Media Fall Prey to Satirical Hoax

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 10, 2019

Journalists are starting to replace ethics with empathy. The result is bad journalism – and being taken for a ride.

Journalists are starting to replace ethics with empathy. The result is bad journalism – and being taken for a ride.

Self-Help

Chloé Valdary Disagrees

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on November 9, 2019

Chloé Valdary's "Theory of Enchantment" program brings compassion and humanity to disagreement and diversity—and empowers people to choose their lives.

Chloé Valdary's "Theory of Enchantment" program brings compassion and humanity to disagreement and diversity—and empowers people to choose their lives.

Relationships

Confronting Dehumanization and Baseless Hate

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on September 22, 2019

Frank Bruni gets hate mail for being gay. How does he respond? How do you respond in the face of baseless hate?

Frank Bruni gets hate mail for being gay. How does he respond? How do you respond in the face of baseless hate?

Empathy

Human Beings Are Not Insects, Vermin, Parasites, or Garbage

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on September 1, 2019

Civil discourse norms are eroding. A narrow conception of who constitutes "us" can lead to dehumanizing rhetoric and feelings of disgust toward people we consider the "other."

Civil discourse norms are eroding. A narrow conception of who constitutes "us" can lead to dehumanizing rhetoric and feelings of disgust toward people we consider the "other."

Empathy

We Need More Wonder and Awe

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on July 19, 2019

In 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first human being to walk on the moon. The sense of awe and wonder that the space program once inspired created a sense of global unity we now lack.

In 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first human being to walk on the moon. The sense of awe and wonder that the space program once inspired created a sense of global unity we now lack.

Bullying

Valuing Civility

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on July 1, 2019

Articulating the views of persuadable Trump supporters results in a social media free-for-all. Covering an Antifa protest ends with an assault. What has happened to civil society?

Articulating the views of persuadable Trump supporters results in a social media free-for-all. Covering an Antifa protest ends with an assault. What has happened to civil society?

Forgiveness

The Apocalyptic Cult of Cancel Culture

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on June 19, 2019

Apologies don’t cut it. Forgiveness? Forget it. When people say “be better,” they mean “be better—or else.” Cancel Culture is apocalyptic.

Apologies don’t cut it. Forgiveness? Forget it. When people say “be better,” they mean “be better—or else.” Cancel Culture is apocalyptic.

Education

New Data Suggests Campus Climate May Be Getting Chillier

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on May 29, 2019

The organization Heterodox Academy aims to increase open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.

The organization Heterodox Academy aims to increase open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement.

Forgiveness

Student Protest: Rebels Without a Clue

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 16, 2019

Have students at NYU and Sarah Lawrence lost their minds? Or is there something we're missing?

Have students at NYU and Sarah Lawrence lost their minds? Or is there something we're missing?

Parenting

What About the Teens in the College Admission Scandal?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 14, 2019

Many kids in the cheating scandal had no idea their parents were interfering with their applications. Lawnmower parenting might clear a path, but it leaves a trail of debris.

Many kids in the cheating scandal had no idea their parents were interfering with their applications. Lawnmower parenting might clear a path, but it leaves a trail of debris.

Gender

What's the Problem with "Traditional Masculinity"?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on March 10, 2019

The frenzy about the APA guidelines has died down. What have we learned?

The frenzy about the APA guidelines has died down. What have we learned?

Conformity

Has Callout Culture Finally Gone Too Far?

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 9, 2018

Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray is the latest target of the online outrage machine. But the Twittersphere's reaction is encouraging.

Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray is the latest target of the online outrage machine. But the Twittersphere's reaction is encouraging.

Politics

The End of Tolerance

Pamela B. Paresky Ph.D. on December 8, 2018

Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz are willing to engage in dialogue and disagreement because they see each other as intellectual equals who share a common humanity.

Sam Harris and Maajid Nawaz are willing to engage in dialogue and disagreement because they see each other as intellectual equals who share a common humanity.