How Fantasy Becomes Reality

Parenting

Mommy, Do You Love Your Phone More Than Me?

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on June 22, 2026

A new study finds that some teens feel that their parents' phone use contributes to problems with the parent-child relationship. Evidence suggests there is a relationship.

A new study finds that some teens feel that their parents' phone use contributes to problems with the parent-child relationship. Evidence suggests there is a relationship.

Politics

Feeling Stress, Anxiety, and Depression About the Election?

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on November 6, 2024

Personal Perspective: Is the stress and anxiety of politics in American life eating you up? Try this big perspective shift.

Personal Perspective: Is the stress and anxiety of politics in American life eating you up? Try this big perspective shift.

Relationships

Everyday Parasocial Relationships and Health Change

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on March 5, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes health advice gets to us from unusual sources.

A Personal Perspective: Sometimes health advice gets to us from unusual sources.

Media

Barbie’s Psychological Makeover

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on July 24, 2023

The 'Barbie' film presents audiences with a surprise psychological makeover for the iconic representation of women.

The 'Barbie' film presents audiences with a surprise psychological makeover for the iconic representation of women.

Artificial Intelligence

The Silver Lining of ChatGPT

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on May 2, 2023

There's more to rapid AI advancements than just fear and loathing.

There's more to rapid AI advancements than just fear and loathing.

Relationships

Queen Elizabeth II: To Know Her Was to Love Her

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on September 20, 2022

With relationships, we can be close from afar or distant from someone who sits beside us.

With relationships, we can be close from afar or distant from someone who sits beside us.

Media

Zoom Yoga? How to Stop Worrying and Connect in the New Normal

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on January 13, 2022

A Personal Perspective: Hybrid social connections are those we keep going through both in-person and technological methods.

A Personal Perspective: Hybrid social connections are those we keep going through both in-person and technological methods.

Media

How William Shatner Became an Astronaut at 90

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Shatner did what he does best today: He took us on a voyage to discover the possibilities of space travel.

Shatner did what he does best today: He took us on a voyage to discover the possibilities of space travel.

Education

Ease the Feeling of Being Overwhelmed by Learning to Let Go

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on August 7, 2021

Burdened with feeling overwhelmed by too many responsibilities? These strategies may help ease the load.

Burdened with feeling overwhelmed by too many responsibilities? These strategies may help ease the load.

Relationships

A Pop Culture Love Note to America

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on July 4, 2021

Could a British teenager watching Miami Vice and listening to Aerosmith and Run-DMC have learned something profound about America?

Could a British teenager watching Miami Vice and listening to Aerosmith and Run-DMC have learned something profound about America?

Guilt

Feeling Bad When Good Things Happen During Crises

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on February 8, 2021

Feeling guilty about celebrating while the house is on fire? You're not alone.

Feeling guilty about celebrating while the house is on fire? You're not alone.

Anger

When You Can’t Stop Being Angry at 'the Other Side'

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on November 4, 2020

Feeling anger and fear that half of the country's people may be dangerous extremists? What does psychology tell us that might help?

Feeling anger and fear that half of the country's people may be dangerous extremists? What does psychology tell us that might help?

Psychology

Unprecedented: The Psychology of Operating Without the Manual

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on November 3, 2020

The risks and opportunities of living in an unprecedented era.

The risks and opportunities of living in an unprecedented era.

Anxiety

Anxiety Is Like a Cardassian

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on June 29, 2020

From 'Star Trek' and 'Harry Potter' to 'Perry Mason,' how what we watch can help us cope with anxiety in a crisis.

From 'Star Trek' and 'Harry Potter' to 'Perry Mason,' how what we watch can help us cope with anxiety in a crisis.

Social Learning Theory

Has Anyone Ever Said You Remind Them of a TV Character?

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on January 21, 2020

Has anyone ever compared you with a TV character? Have you seen yourself in a TV character? There can be pros and cons of making those connections.

Has anyone ever compared you with a TV character? Have you seen yourself in a TV character? There can be pros and cons of making those connections.

Media

Space: Your Finest Frontier

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on September 26, 2019

The profound change you have been saying no to, and how to say yes.

The profound change you have been saying no to, and how to say yes.

Child Development

Quicksand, Mouse Holes and Other Movie Tropes from Childhood

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on June 28, 2019

Do couples go to Inspiration Point in real life? Do mice live in mouse holes? What's a kid to think after watching television?

Do couples go to Inspiration Point in real life? Do mice live in mouse holes? What's a kid to think after watching television?

Meditation

How an App Helped Me Cope with the Death of My Beloved Dog

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on April 18, 2019

I never thought using an app would help me deal with the death of my beloved dog.

I never thought using an app would help me deal with the death of my beloved dog.

Friends

A Million Little Reasons Life is Worth Fighting For

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on March 5, 2019

In a distracted world, stories help us remember what really matters.

In a distracted world, stories help us remember what really matters.

Stress

How to Not Go Crazy This Holiday Season

Karen E. Dill-Shackleford Ph.D. on November 26, 2018

How to use pop culture and your imagination to beat stress this holiday season.

How to use pop culture and your imagination to beat stress this holiday season.