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Domestic Intelligence

From surly teens to tough mothers-in-law, how to understand what's going on in your family.

Domestic Violence
Domestic Abusers' Belief in Their Innocence

Terri Apter Ph.D. on July 21, 2023

Recent research on coercive control in committed relationships omits a central problem in calling the abuser to account: the abuser’s conviction of their own innocence.

Recent research on coercive control in committed relationships omits a central problem in calling the abuser to account: the abuser’s conviction of their own innocence.

Narcissism
Dangerous Defenses

Terri Apter Ph.D. on June 14, 2023

Are you enraged and destabilised by the slippery moves some people make to avoid accountability? It helps to identify and explore the steps in their responses.

Are you enraged and destabilised by the slippery moves some people make to avoid accountability? It helps to identify and explore the steps in their responses.

Mindfulness
Can Mindfulness Be Bad for Teens?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on August 22, 2022

There is a mental health crisis among teens, but mindfulness, the once hoped-for magic bullet, misses its target.

There is a mental health crisis among teens, but mindfulness, the once hoped-for magic bullet, misses its target.

Adolescence
Why Anorexia Is So Hard to Treat

Terri Apter Ph.D. on April 11, 2022

Anorexia in teens is very difficult to treat effectively—often because parents and clinicians don't understand how teens themselves view the disorder.

Anorexia in teens is very difficult to treat effectively—often because parents and clinicians don't understand how teens themselves view the disorder.

Adolescence
When Adolescents Go to War

Terri Apter Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

Research shows that teen soldiers are seven times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research shows that teen soldiers are seven times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Adolescence
Blaming Social Media for Teen Depression Is Too Easy

Terri Apter Ph.D. on November 23, 2021

There was widespread public concern for teen girls’ self-dissatisfaction long before social media. Regulation needs to address a much larger context.

There was widespread public concern for teen girls’ self-dissatisfaction long before social media. Regulation needs to address a much larger context.

Bias
Why Do Women Struggle to Ask for Better Pay?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on March 6, 2021

Have we been looking at internalized bias in the wrong way? Changing the environment may be more effective than changing ourselves.

Have we been looking at internalized bias in the wrong way? Changing the environment may be more effective than changing ourselves.

Confidence
The Liking Gap

Terri Apter Ph.D. on December 28, 2020

Do people deserve their reputation for vanity? If not, then a useful New Year's resolution is to be less self-critical.

Do people deserve their reputation for vanity? If not, then a useful New Year's resolution is to be less self-critical.

Bias
What Makes a Happy Family?

Terri Apter Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

The profession of psychology is engaged in painful self-assessment about institutional bias. Here is a model of its power to obliterate bias.

The profession of psychology is engaged in painful self-assessment about institutional bias. Here is a model of its power to obliterate bias.

Relationships
Love in the Time of COVID

Terri Apter Ph.D. on September 20, 2020

While the press has reported on marital break-ups in lockdown, the deepening romance among couples over age 60 has been ignored.

While the press has reported on marital break-ups in lockdown, the deepening romance among couples over age 60 has been ignored.