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Politics

Tribalism in Politics

By Daniel R. Stalder Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Bias Fundamentals

Political leaders' rhetoric can take some blame for recent spikes in tribalism. But what else causes it? And what can we do about it?

Relationships

Getting to Know You

By Marisa T. Cohen Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Finding Love: The Scientific Take

Dating serves several functions. It is important to discuss why we date, as the reasons we engage in this behavior may be connected to the success of the date itself.

Therapy

The Power of Inner Silence for the Highly Sensitive

By Elaine N. Aron Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in The Highly Sensitive Person

Quieting the mind can help highly sensitive people find peace and sanctuary in this busy and noisy world.

Happiness

The Big Lie About "Finding Happiness"

By Harriet Lerner Ph.D. on June 17, 2018 in The Dance of Connection

Don't let the Happiness Cops make you feel ashamed and inadequate about your honest suffering.

News

The Latest

Relationships

“I Would Never Sleep With a Trump Supporter”

By Aaron Ben-Zeév Ph.D. on June 19, 2018 in In the Name of Love

Political views are vital in choosing spouses, but their role in hooking up is less clear. We may not want living with our political enemy, but what’s wrong with sleeping with him?

Happiness

In Defense of Alone Time

By Anna Akbari Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Startup Your Life

Do you fear alone time? It may be just the thing you need.

Animal Behavior

Dogs and Humans Have Similar Social and Emotional Brains

By The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists on June 18, 2018 in Decoding Your Pet

Humans and dogs share similar social behavior and emotions, but are likely to misunderstand each other because they speak different languages. It's up to us to bridge that gap.

Politics

APA Urges Trump to Change Immigration Policy

By Abigail Fagan on June 18, 2018 in Brainstorm

A major organization representing psychologists is highlighting the psychological danger of family separation.

Ethics and Morality

Jordan Peterson: Unstoic about Women

By Jennifer Baker Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in For the Love of Wisdom

To insist that there is a crisis among men today and that the solution is that women have more "courageous faith" in men is a full reversal of the Stoic notion of ethics.

Social Life

Empathic People Use Social Brain Circuitry to Process Music

By Christopher Bergland on June 18, 2018 in The Athlete's Way

"High-empathy" people—who deeply grasp the joy and pain of others—process music using different brain areas than "low-empathy" people, according to a new, first-of-its-kind study.

Evolutionary Psychology

We Are What They Ate

By Edward A. Wasserman Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in The Mind Menagerie

Recent research suggests that brain evolution may have been driven by the feeding behaviors of our distant kin. Social factors may have played a smaller role than is believed.

Personality

Narcissist or Charismatic Leader: How to Spot the Difference

By Suzanne Degges-White Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Lifetime Connections

When can the hallmark characteristics of a narcissist be a good thing?

Depression

Why Suicide Hotlines Alone Are Not Enough

By Kristen Fuller, M.D. on June 18, 2018 in Happiness Is a State of Mind

“Someone who hates you normally hates you for one of three reasons: They see you as a threat. They hate themselves. Or they want to be you.” ―Unknown

Resilience

Feeling Rejected? Be Mindful!

By Susan McQuillan M.S., RDN on June 18, 2018 in Cravings

Develop higher levels of mindfulness to prevent feelings of rejection and exclusion.

Personality

What Is the Difference Between Pride and Arrogance?

By Arash Emamzadeh on June 18, 2018 in Finding a New Home

I define pride and arrogance and discuss research that shows us how to distinguish the two.

Behavioral Economics

6 Mental Traps in Predicting Future Feelings

By Shahram Heshmat Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Science of Choice

Our minds are designed to see the world as it is right now, rather than from the point of view of the people we are going to become.

Parenting

Classical Conditioning Can Help Your Child Sleep and Focus

By Nancy Darling Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Thinking About Kids

One of most useful tools parents have to help their children sleep and focus is classical conditioning. Take advantage of unconscious learning to help your child relax.

Intelligence

How Playing by The Rules Can Lead You to Wealth

By David Miller on June 18, 2018 in The Human Side of Finance

A lot of us think of ourselves as perfectionists, but some are very strict about their systems. These same systems can help lead to a bright financial future.

Tying the Knot?

It's wedding season

Planning a Wedding?

Inviting Hundreds of People?

Starting a New Chapter

Your Pre-Wedding Jitters

Procrastination

Elevate Your Game with Productive Procrastination

By Regan A. R. Gurung Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in The Psychological Pundit

Are you hassled for being a procrastinator? Perhaps you can use it to your advantage, with a few tweaks. Procrastination could be productive.

Relationships

Married with Kids

By Rob Pascale and Lou Primavera Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in So Happy Together

Having children changes marriages in many ways. Be prepared to change your behavior and your expectations.

Creativity

Drawing Out Grief

By Ariel Gore on June 18, 2018 in Women and Happiness

"To grieve is to stand in the surf. If you understand the ebb and flow of tides, of wave sets, you can move with it." —Rebecca Fish Ewan, author of By the Forces of Gravity

Psychiatry

Is Schizophrenia Hereditary? Not as Much as We Thought

By Temma Ehrenfeld on June 18, 2018 in Open Gently

Even when an illness, like schizophrenia, has a strong genetic component, we're still just taking about chances—not an inevitability.

Addiction

The World Health Organization Highlights Gaming Disorder

By Shainna Ali Ph.D., LMHC on June 18, 2018 in A Modern Mentality

Previously debated as a distinct mental health concern, the ICD-11 diagnosis for Gaming Disorder provides a classification to distinguish general use from problematic use.

Law and Crime

Schools are Not a "Pipeline to Prison"

By Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Inside the Criminal Mind

Restraint, seclusion, or exclusion may be the most humane measures to manage chronically disruptive students who victimize students who want to learn.

Parenting

Yes, Your Toddler or Teen Is Frustrating and Foolish

By Dona Matthews Ph.D. on June 18, 2018 in Going Beyond Intelligence

Brain research findings show the best way to respond to annoying or foolish behavior is by treating it as a learning opportunity for you and your child.