Beautiful Minds

Insights into intelligence, creativity, personality, and well-being

ADHD
ADHD Isn’t a Trauma Response

Scott Barry Kaufman on February 18, 2025

I am inundated with Instagram ads telling me that “ADHD is not laziness, it’s a trauma response.” Well actually, it's neither! These falsehoods are so popular, yet so wrong.

I am inundated with Instagram ads telling me that “ADHD is not laziness, it’s a trauma response.” Well actually, it's neither! These falsehoods are so popular, yet so wrong.

Creativity
Talent Is Underrated

Scott Barry Kaufman on March 16, 2024

We need a much more honest and nuanced discussion about the role of talent in life outcomes.

We need a much more honest and nuanced discussion about the role of talent in life outcomes.

Narcissism
The Excessive Need to Matter

Scott Barry Kaufman on April 9, 2023

The need to matter is important, but is it possible to matter too much? Recent research suggests links between pathological narcissism and the excessive need to matter.

The need to matter is important, but is it possible to matter too much? Recent research suggests links between pathological narcissism and the excessive need to matter.

Health
When It's OK to Be Selfish

Scott Barry Kaufman on November 7, 2022

We often think of selfishness as bad, but new research shows the surprising benefits of healthy selfishness on self and others.

We often think of selfishness as bad, but new research shows the surprising benefits of healthy selfishness on self and others.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Aaron Beck's Legacy Goes Beyond CBT

Scott Barry Kaufman on November 2, 2021

The legendary psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Beck recently passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 100. He was working on a new therapy that treats psychiatric patients as human.

The legendary psychiatrist Dr. Aaron Beck recently passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 100. He was working on a new therapy that treats psychiatric patients as human.

Personality
The Anatomy of Assholes

Scott Barry Kaufman on August 29, 2020

What actually is an asshole? Can modern-day personality science identify different types of assholes? Who isn't an asshole? Let's take a deep dive into the "asshole circumplex."

What actually is an asshole? Can modern-day personality science identify different types of assholes? Who isn't an asshole? Let's take a deep dive into the "asshole circumplex."

Genetics
New Sensitivity Gene Discovered

Scott Barry Kaufman on December 14, 2012

Some of the very same genes that under certain environmental conditions are associated with some of the lowest lows of humanity, are associated with the highest highs of human flourishing under supportive conditions.

Some of the very same genes that under certain environmental conditions are associated with some of the lowest lows of humanity, are associated with the highest highs of human flourishing under supportive conditions.

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Magazine
November 2025 magazine cover
November 2025
Healing Family Splits

Cut-offs cut deep and wide, their emotional impact reverberating far beyond the combatants. Because much of the suffering is hidden, repair is challenging for everyone, not least of all therapists.

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Tests
Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

Self Assessments
Quizzes