Cui Bono

Personality

The Development of Responsiveness to Outer Expectations

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on January 29, 2023

Exploring what we know about the development of responsiveness to others' expectations and how this responsiveness can be a positive or negative influence in our lives.

Exploring what we know about the development of responsiveness to others' expectations and how this responsiveness can be a positive or negative influence in our lives.

Personality

Where Do Your Expectations of Yourself Come From?

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on December 11, 2022

The Four Tendencies describe differences in responsiveness to your own inner expectations and others' expectations. This post explains where inner expectations come from.

The Four Tendencies describe differences in responsiveness to your own inner expectations and others' expectations. This post explains where inner expectations come from.

Personality

Science Supports the Usefulness of Knowing How to Respond to Expectations

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on November 22, 2022

Contrary to claims that the Four Tendencies are unscientific, there is scientific support for the four personality types and why knowing your type is useful.

Contrary to claims that the Four Tendencies are unscientific, there is scientific support for the four personality types and why knowing your type is useful.

Relationships

Why We Argue and How to Stop

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

Do you want to transform damaging arguments into healthy disagreements that improve relationships?

Do you want to transform damaging arguments into healthy disagreements that improve relationships?

Personality

Thoughts: The Neglected Aspect of Personality

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on May 13, 2022

Personality includes consistent thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Why is there scarce research on personality thoughts?

Personality includes consistent thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Why is there scarce research on personality thoughts?

Personality

Decoding Behavior With Thoughts and Feelings

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on February 22, 2022

The meaning of a behavioral personality pattern might seem obvious. But behavioral patterns cannot be fully understood without knowing underlying thoughts and emotions.

The meaning of a behavioral personality pattern might seem obvious. But behavioral patterns cannot be fully understood without knowing underlying thoughts and emotions.

We tend to believe in moral truths. If moral truths exist, then there is always a correct resolution to conflict that advances goodness for all. Without truths, we must compromise.

We are not aware of external or internal reality-as-it-really-is. Rather, we hallucinate these realities in a way that allows us to function in the world.

Gratitude

Cultivating Compassion, Attention, and Gratitude

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on October 5, 2021

Learning unnatural attitudes such as compassion for mean people is not only possible but a key skill for improving your wellbeing.

Learning unnatural attitudes such as compassion for mean people is not only possible but a key skill for improving your wellbeing.

Personality

Moral-Political Polarity and Its Origin

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on June 14, 2021

There is a polarity in human thought and feeling that includes, but is much larger than, the political left-right divide. It may depend on our perceptions of safety and bounty.

There is a polarity in human thought and feeling that includes, but is much larger than, the political left-right divide. It may depend on our perceptions of safety and bounty.

Relationships

When Men Behave Badly: A Summary of Problem Behaviors

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

David Buss shows how evolutionary psychology does not justify men's bad behavior but explains how that behavior can be changed. Part 2 of a 3-part book review.

David Buss shows how evolutionary psychology does not justify men's bad behavior but explains how that behavior can be changed. Part 2 of a 3-part book review.

Sex

When Men Behave Badly: How Evolutionary Psychology Can Help

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

Part 3 of 3: David Buss shows how evolutionary psychology does not justify men's bad behavior but explains how that behavior can be changed.

Part 3 of 3: David Buss shows how evolutionary psychology does not justify men's bad behavior but explains how that behavior can be changed.

Personality

A Review of When Men Behave Badly by David Buss: The Background

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

David Buss shows how evolutionary psychology explains behavior and how that behavior can be changed. Part 1 of a three-part book review.

David Buss shows how evolutionary psychology explains behavior and how that behavior can be changed. Part 1 of a three-part book review.

Personality

Are Your Values a Part of Your Personality?

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on March 5, 2021

Your values are what you care about the most, what really matters to you. But personality psychologists rarely include values as a part of personality. This is why.

Your values are what you care about the most, what really matters to you. But personality psychologists rarely include values as a part of personality. This is why.

Extroversion

How a Test Labels You as Introvert, Extravert, or In-Between

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on December 14, 2020

How can a psychologist tell from your answers to a personality quiz whether you are really an Introvert, Extravert, or In-Between?

How can a psychologist tell from your answers to a personality quiz whether you are really an Introvert, Extravert, or In-Between?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Zombies and COVID-19

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on September 22, 2020

All of those end-of-the-world movies you've watched in your life were not just mindless entertainment. They may have helped you prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic.

All of those end-of-the-world movies you've watched in your life were not just mindless entertainment. They may have helped you prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Religion

Environmentalism as Religion

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on August 14, 2020

Even nonreligious environmental activists evince a religious apocalyptic vision that undermines their credibility.

Even nonreligious environmental activists evince a religious apocalyptic vision that undermines their credibility.

Child Development

What Is Autonomy and Why Is It So Difficult to Achieve?

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on June 9, 2020

If we are the product of our parents' and peers' expectations, can we ever be truly autonomous?

If we are the product of our parents' and peers' expectations, can we ever be truly autonomous?

Personality

What Creates Experiences of Magical Specialness?

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on March 2, 2020

What does it mean when things or people seems so special that they are not of this world?

What does it mean when things or people seems so special that they are not of this world?

Ethics and Morality

When Right Is Not Right

John A. Johnson Ph.D. on December 27, 2019

Nearly all of us believe in moral truths, that certain things are objectively right or wrong. I explain why we accept moral truths, even though there are none.

Nearly all of us believe in moral truths, that certain things are objectively right or wrong. I explain why we accept moral truths, even though there are none.