Psychology Today: Health, Help, Happiness + Find a Therapist

Today's Essential Reads Today's Essentials

Spirituality

How People Become Atheists

By David Ludden Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Talking Apes

Many psychologists claim that we have an innate tendency toward religion. If so, how do we account for those who have no religious beliefs?

Cognition

Tools to Keep Our Biases and Conspiracy Beliefs in Check

By Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on April 22, 2021 in Bias Fundamentals

Discomfort with uncertainty in dark times can increase biases and conspiracy beliefs. But what if we found a way to be more comfortable with uncertainty? New research may help.

Loneliness

Summer Loneliness and Mental Health: The Time to Act is Now

By Rob Whitley, Ph.D. on April 22, 2021 in Talking About Men

Contrary to popular belief, loneliness and poor mental health tend to be highest in the warmer and brighter months, and lowest in the colder and darker months. Why?

Relationships

Don't Let Doubts Doom Your Relationship

By Gary W. Lewandowski Jr. Ph.D. on April 22, 2021 in The Psychology of Relationships

It's hard to know if you're in a good relationship. But are doubts natural, or a red flag? Learn to identify relationship imposter syndrome and combat it using these 4 insights.

News

The Latest

Resilience

Finding Common Ground Through Religious Disagreement

By Jamie D. Aten Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Hope + Resilience

How can we humbly respect and honor others, putting aside our own perspectives, to work better with those with whom we might religiously disagree?

Personality

Personality Disorder Research Ignores Social Context

By David M. Allen M.D. on April 23, 2021 in A Matter of Personality

An international consortium recently announced the release of outcome measures for personality disorders research. It is as if these patients exist in a social vacuum.

Autism

What Good Is Diagnosis?

By Julia Englund Strait Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in This Emotional Mind

Neurodiversity is the rule, not the exception, in nature. Diagnostic categories can improve our understanding and acceptance, if used and understood for what they really are.

Happiness

Comparison is a Dangerous Game

By Robert Puff Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Meditation for Modern Life

When we compare ourselves to others, we rob ourselves from our own happiness.

Narcissism

6 Traits Narcissists Want in a Romantic Partner

By Seth Meyers Psy.D. on April 23, 2021 in Insight Is 20/20

Narcissists have a complex personality that comes with extreme psychological needs. Accordingly, they look for a highly specific set of personality traits in potential partners.

Photograph by the Public Health Image Library from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cognition

How Does an Airborne Virus Get Into the Brain?

By Philip E. Stieg Ph.D., M.D. on April 23, 2021 in This Is Your Brain

Long-haul Covid symptoms are devastating to patients who just can’t shake the after-effects of the infection – even when the illness itself was mild.

Media

What Do Woman Think of Removing the “Likes” on Instagram?

By Jessica M Alleva Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Mind Your Body

A new study looks at women's attitudes toward removing Likes on Instagram. What are its potential benefits and drawbacks?

Relationships

The Most Stable Dyad Is a... Triad

By Assael Romanelli Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in The Other Side of Relationships

Every dyad needs a third to stabilize it. This process is called triangulation, and it can harmful effects on your relationship. These steps will help deepen your bond.

Personality

The Emotional Lives of Psychopaths

By Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Shadow Boxing

We envision psychopaths as stone-cold people, without remorse, but research indicates they can experience a range of feelings, even love.

Resilience

Just Say No: Methods to Preserve Our Mental Health

By Leonard A. Jason, Ph.D. and Vernita Perkins Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in The Mental Health Revolution

Are you feeling mentally exhausted? Consider the power of a thoughtful Yes.

Self-Esteem

Self-Esteem and Your Sexual Sociometer

By Lawrence Josephs, Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Between the Sheets

How do you feel about your romantic desirability? If it's not good find out why and what you can do about it.

Sex

The Meaning of Tickling

By David W. Wahl Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in This Sexual Self

Individuals have different internal and external reactions to tickling. Meaning attribution explains the reactions and motives behind tickling.

Self-Help

What It Really Means to Take Care of Yourself

By Ilene Strauss Cohen Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Your Emotional Meter

Self-care is living a life that’s meaningful and being true to yourself. It’s knowing that massages and green juices are great ways to enjoy life, not escape from it.

Animal Behavior

Why Istanbul's Stray Dogs Have Become International Icons

By Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in Animal Emotions

These free-ranging dogs have attracted worldwide attention and aren't a nuisance, but rather important members of diverse local communities.

Do You Trust Your Gut?

8 Truths About the Gut

Are We Intuitively Honest?

Intuition's Dark Side

What Is the Listening Skill?

Depression

The Dominant Emotion of 2021

By Elana Premack Sandler L.C.S.W., M.P.H on April 23, 2021 in Promoting Hope, Preventing Suicide

Since we’ve made it this far, how can we make the next months of 2021 marginally better, at least on an individual level?

Behavioral Economics

Motivated Reasoning and Angel Hernandez

By Matt Grawitch Ph.D. on April 23, 2021 in A Hovercraft Full of Eels

The recent Hernandez v. MLB ruling highlights the dangers of motivated reasoning.

Relationships

What Are "Personal Development Relationships"?

By Grant Hilary Brenner MD, FAPA on April 23, 2021 in ExperiMentations

Beware romantic partners who try so hard to help you grow as a person. The relationship may start out seeming to be what we always needed, but end in suffering and self-doubt.