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Theory of Mind

Do We Think of UFOs as Crafts or Beings, and Why Does It Matter?

Liz Stillwaggon Swan PhD on July 11, 2026 in The Philosopher Is In

Why do we tend to assume that UFOs are crafts carrying alien beings rather than alien beings themselves? How the UFO phenomena continue to reveal unfounded human assumptions.

Why do we tend to assume that UFOs are crafts carrying alien beings rather than alien beings themselves? How the UFO phenomena continue to reveal unfounded human assumptions.

Philosophy

Pursuing the Ethical Approach of "Openness to the Other"

Monica Vilhauer Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in Philosophy for Curious Souls

In a culture saturated with scientific, psychological, and sophistic approaches to the other, openness is in short supply.

In a culture saturated with scientific, psychological, and sophistic approaches to the other, openness is in short supply.

Relationships

Checks in Balance: The Secret to All Sustainability

Jeremy E. Sherman Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in Ambigamy

Personal Perspective: Checks in balance are the only way to keep any fragile dynamic going, whether it's health, marriage, or government.

Personal Perspective: Checks in balance are the only way to keep any fragile dynamic going, whether it's health, marriage, or government.

Affirmations

Words to the Wise

Daniel Fryer M.Sc., MBSCH on July 11, 2026 in Keeping an Even Keel

Words of wisdom and witty bon mots are great tools in coaching and therapy, but they need to be used carefully. Here's why.

Words of wisdom and witty bon mots are great tools in coaching and therapy, but they need to be used carefully. Here's why.

Artificial Intelligence

Therapy in the Age of AI: What We Can Actually Do

Marianne Brandon Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in The Future of Intimacy

Therapists have options. But none of them are available if we aren't looking honestly at the problem.

Therapists have options. But none of them are available if we aren't looking honestly at the problem.

Workplace Dynamics

Fixing Remote Work Behaviors That Wouldn't Fly In Person

Ian MacRae on July 11, 2026 in Silicon Psyche

From muted mockery to social loafing, screens shield actions that wouldn't fly in person. Learn why people get away with more online and why restoring accountability matters.

From muted mockery to social loafing, screens shield actions that wouldn't fly in person. Learn why people get away with more online and why restoring accountability matters.

Mating

How the "July Theory" Might Affect Your Dating

Bruce Y. Lee M.D., M.B.A. on July 11, 2026 in A Funny Bone to Pick

How has July been going for you so far? Has it been a big turning point in your romantic life yet?

How has July been going for you so far? Has it been a big turning point in your romantic life yet?

Agreeableness

The Quiet Distinction Between Deference and People-Pleasing

Antonieta Contreras on July 11, 2026 in Traumatization and Its Aftermath

Why do some people never seem to have a preference of their own? The answer isn't people-pleasing, and it isn't a personality trait either.

Why do some people never seem to have a preference of their own? The answer isn't people-pleasing, and it isn't a personality trait either.

Decision-Making

The Case for Wobbling, It Isn’t Failure, It’s Progress

Gregg McBride on July 11, 2026 in The Weight-ing Game

Waiting to feel ready before a big decision could mean waiting forever. A nest built into a front door wreath—and research on regret—suggest that readiness arrives after the leap.

Waiting to feel ready before a big decision could mean waiting forever. A nest built into a front door wreath—and research on regret—suggest that readiness arrives after the leap.

Artificial Intelligence

Are We Rushing Blindly Into the Unknown Abyss?

Cornelia C. Walther Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in Harnessing Hybrid Intelligence

Technology will continue to evolve. But we still have a choice, about the path to take and the shoes to wear. We need to decide which direction to go while we still can.

Technology will continue to evolve. But we still have a choice, about the path to take and the shoes to wear. We need to decide which direction to go while we still can.

Animal Behavior

If You Want to Know Why Your Dog Is a Humper, Watch Them

Marc Bekoff Ph.D. on July 11, 2026 in Animal Emotions

There aren't any simple explanations for why dogs hump, but it's a natural behavior, and it’s essential to consider the context in which it happens and the dog's point of view.

There aren't any simple explanations for why dogs hump, but it's a natural behavior, and it’s essential to consider the context in which it happens and the dog's point of view.

Career

Why Being Good at Your Job Can Hurt Your Career

Ruth Gotian Ed.D., M.S. on July 10, 2026 in Optimizing Success

The reward for doing great work isn't always a promotion. Sometimes it's just more work. Here's how the competency tax keeps high performers stuck.

The reward for doing great work isn't always a promotion. Sometimes it's just more work. Here's how the competency tax keeps high performers stuck.

Social Media

The Parasocial Breakup No One Talks About

Robin Stern Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Power in Relationships

Rage bait and parasocial attachment can turn online disappointment into real emotional pain, leaving people grieving a relationship that never truly existed.

Rage bait and parasocial attachment can turn online disappointment into real emotional pain, leaving people grieving a relationship that never truly existed.

Empathy

Do You Feel a Special Connection to Animals?

Judith Orloff M.D. on July 10, 2026 in The Empath's Survival Guide

People who are animal empaths have a special ability to tune in to animals and communicate with them. They seem to attract different creatures wherever they go.

People who are animal empaths have a special ability to tune in to animals and communicate with them. They seem to attract different creatures wherever they go.

Personality

Making Your Personality Quirks Your Superpower

Tim Elmore on July 10, 2026 in Artificial Maturity

Too often, we criticize ourselves for our strange quirks or foibles. Find out how to leverage them as superpowers.

Too often, we criticize ourselves for our strange quirks or foibles. Find out how to leverage them as superpowers.

Memory

Why Odysseus Still Speaks to Us

Neel Burton M.A., M.D. on July 10, 2026 in Ataraxia

Why the Odyssey remains one of humanity's greatest stories: a timeless meditation on identity, belonging, and the journey home.

Why the Odyssey remains one of humanity's greatest stories: a timeless meditation on identity, belonging, and the journey home.

Happiness

Life Is a Subscription Service

Nafees Alam Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Pop Culture Mental Health

Personal Perspective: Subscription models mirror life. The health of the mind, body, and relationships all require maintenance, and access is limited.

Personal Perspective: Subscription models mirror life. The health of the mind, body, and relationships all require maintenance, and access is limited.

Friends

The Easiest Path to Friendship Starts By Doing What You Love

Caroline Maguire M.Ed. on July 10, 2026 in Friendship and Connection 

Friendship can feel easier when you start with activities that naturally interest you. High-interest activities reduce the barriers to making friends from scratch.

Friendship can feel easier when you start with activities that naturally interest you. High-interest activities reduce the barriers to making friends from scratch.

Social Media

Enjoying Your Own Company in Authentic Solitude

Robert Taibbi L.C.S.W. on July 10, 2026 in Fixing Families

The price of being engaged with social media is that we've become uncomfortable with solitude. But solitude gives us time to solve problems and get to know ourselves better.

The price of being engaged with social media is that we've become uncomfortable with solitude. But solitude gives us time to solve problems and get to know ourselves better.

Evolutionary Psychology

Is Mental Illness the Evolutionary Cost of Our Big Brain?

Gary Wenk Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Your Brain on Food

A study investigated whether the genes for schizophrenia and autism appeared more frequently as mammals evolved bigger brains.

A study investigated whether the genes for schizophrenia and autism appeared more frequently as mammals evolved bigger brains.

Alcoholism

Summer Self-Care for Parents in Recovery

Sarah Allen Benton LMHC, LPC, LCPC, AADC on July 10, 2026 in The High-Functioning Alcoholic

Summer is a favorite season for so many individuals. For parents, however, summer can mean disrupted routines, increased childcare demands, family travel, social events, and more.

Summer is a favorite season for so many individuals. For parents, however, summer can mean disrupted routines, increased childcare demands, family travel, social events, and more.

Artificial Intelligence

When AI Does the Writing, Who's the Author?

Jim Taylor Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in The Power of Prime

It’s happening more and more these days. I read an article, but as I read it, something feels off, something is making me uncomfortable. Then, it hits me, I’ll bet AI wrote it.

It’s happening more and more these days. I read an article, but as I read it, something feels off, something is making me uncomfortable. Then, it hits me, I’ll bet AI wrote it.

Therapy

Signs, Symptoms, and Suffering

Stephen A. Diamond Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Evil Deeds

Could your psychiatric signs and symptoms be trying to tell you something important?

Could your psychiatric signs and symptoms be trying to tell you something important?

Relationships

The Social Pressure to Stay in Abusive Relationships

Kaytee Gillis, LCSW on July 10, 2026 in Invisible Bruises

We often ask survivors of domestic violence, "Why didn't you leave?" But we rarely ask a more important question: Who told them to stay?

We often ask survivors of domestic violence, "Why didn't you leave?" But we rarely ask a more important question: Who told them to stay?

Psychology

What Misspelled Words Reveal About Connection

Benjamin Laker Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Mindful Leadership

Personal Perspective: A misspelled word can do more than reveal an error; it can signal warmth, trust, speed, and the human texture behind everyday communication.

Personal Perspective: A misspelled word can do more than reveal an error; it can signal warmth, trust, speed, and the human texture behind everyday communication.

Laughter

Finding More Humor, Hope, and Joy in Everyday Life

Robyne Hanley-Dafoe Ed.D. on July 10, 2026 in Everyday Resilience

Hope helps us believe tomorrow can be different. Humour helps us through today. Making room for both is not avoiding the hard. It is part of moving through it.

Hope helps us believe tomorrow can be different. Humour helps us through today. Making room for both is not avoiding the hard. It is part of moving through it.

Social Networking

Your Social Self-Portrait

Lawson Wulsin M.D. on July 10, 2026 in Deep Dives

Of all the ways we have of representing who we are, we are missing what most distinguishes us: our social networks. New software programs make it possible and revealing.

Of all the ways we have of representing who we are, we are missing what most distinguishes us: our social networks. New software programs make it possible and revealing.

Leadership

How to Develop Your Personal Leadership Potential

Ronald E. Riggio Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Cutting-Edge Leadership

Research clearly suggests that there are proven ways of developing one's leadership potential and capacity, but it takes hard work and dedication.

Research clearly suggests that there are proven ways of developing one's leadership potential and capacity, but it takes hard work and dedication.

Motivation

What Makes Jerks Tick Like Time Bombs

Jeremy E. Sherman Ph.D. on July 10, 2026 in Jerkology

Here's a more rigorous approach to explaining personality disorders like narcissism from the physical ground up.

Here's a more rigorous approach to explaining personality disorders like narcissism from the physical ground up.