In Love and War

Workplace Dynamics

When Generosity Leads to Exploitation at Work

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 26, 2023

New research finds that employees who already go above and beyond are more likely to be given additional work. Here’s why this happens, and what can be done to prevent it.

New research finds that employees who already go above and beyond are more likely to be given additional work. Here’s why this happens, and what can be done to prevent it.

Social Life

How the Need to Belong Both Helps and Hurts Us

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 22, 2023

We're wired to care about social acceptance, but in some situations, this instinct can have downsides.

We're wired to care about social acceptance, but in some situations, this instinct can have downsides.

Ethics and Morality

5 Reasons Why People Blame Victims

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 6, 2023

Sometimes the people who bear the least responsibility for a bad situation receive the most amount of judgment and criticism. What can explain this?

Sometimes the people who bear the least responsibility for a bad situation receive the most amount of judgment and criticism. What can explain this?

Authenticity

10 Unexpected Ways to Feel More Alive

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Feeling burned out? Here are 10 research-based methods for boosting energy and vitality that you might not have considered.

Feeling burned out? Here are 10 research-based methods for boosting energy and vitality that you might not have considered.

Relationships

When One Partner Has Too Much Power

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on May 31, 2023

Research has found that feeling powerless in relation to your romantic partner can have a range of negative consequences. Here’s why they occur and how to identify them.

Research has found that feeling powerless in relation to your romantic partner can have a range of negative consequences. Here’s why they occur and how to identify them.

Happiness

4 Ways to Find Happiness When Life Doesn't Turn Out as Planned

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on May 2, 2023

Research suggests that these four strategies can help us embrace an unexpected life path.

Research suggests that these four strategies can help us embrace an unexpected life path.

Relationships

Why It’s Not Always Easy to Turn Away an Unwanted Sexual Advance

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on December 30, 2021

People are taught to “just say no” to intimate acts they’re not comfortable with. But sometimes advances are made in ways that make refusal more difficult than it should be.

People are taught to “just say no” to intimate acts they’re not comfortable with. But sometimes advances are made in ways that make refusal more difficult than it should be.

Bias

4 Cognitive Biases That Can Impair Pandemic Decision-Making

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on December 23, 2021

As we navigate risk-related decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing potential biases in our judgments may help us make choices we feel good about.

As we navigate risk-related decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing potential biases in our judgments may help us make choices we feel good about.

Altruism

Why Some People Really Resent Do-Gooders

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on October 18, 2021

Someone who donates a kidney to a stranger seems worthy of high praise. But reactions to a recent viral article reveal that this is not always what happens.

Someone who donates a kidney to a stranger seems worthy of high praise. But reactions to a recent viral article reveal that this is not always what happens.

Health

Can Being Kind to Yourself Improve Health?

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Coping with health challenges can be stressful. Research suggests that self-compassion may help quell health-related anxieties and motivate us to address problems proactively.

Coping with health challenges can be stressful. Research suggests that self-compassion may help quell health-related anxieties and motivate us to address problems proactively.

Cognitive Dissonance

4 Reasons We Unfairly Judge Others

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Seeing someone struggling doesn’t always evoke compassion—sometimes it evokes the opposite: judgment and blame.

Seeing someone struggling doesn’t always evoke compassion—sometimes it evokes the opposite: judgment and blame.

Aging

3 Ways That Negative Stereotypes About Aging Become Reality

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on September 10, 2021

Compounding the effects of age discrimination, negative beliefs about aging can become internalized in ways that harm health and well-being.

Compounding the effects of age discrimination, negative beliefs about aging can become internalized in ways that harm health and well-being.

Politics

4 Deeper Psychological Causes of Mask-Related Hostility

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

Do you find yourself feeling irritated when you see someone wearing a mask? Here are four potential reasons for this reaction that you might not have considered before.

Do you find yourself feeling irritated when you see someone wearing a mask? Here are four potential reasons for this reaction that you might not have considered before.

Deception

3 Ways We Lie to Ourselves

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on June 14, 2021

The whole point of self-deception is that we don’t know we’re doing it. But the truth has subtle ways of revealing itself to us.

The whole point of self-deception is that we don’t know we’re doing it. But the truth has subtle ways of revealing itself to us.

Friends

Why We May Not Realize That Our Friends Are Struggling

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on May 25, 2021

When we’re struggling, it can feel like no one else would understand. But it’s possible that others are going through the exact same thing—and we’re just not seeing it.

When we’re struggling, it can feel like no one else would understand. But it’s possible that others are going through the exact same thing—and we’re just not seeing it.

Career

How Being a People-Pleaser May Harm Performance at Work

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on March 23, 2021

In a job interview or other high stakes context, it can be tempting to say what you think the other person wants to hear. But catering to others' expectations can backfire.

In a job interview or other high stakes context, it can be tempting to say what you think the other person wants to hear. But catering to others' expectations can backfire.

Fear

Why People Are Drawn to Horror Movies During the Pandemic

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on March 6, 2021

Fictional fear can be oddly comforting—and instructional.

Fictional fear can be oddly comforting—and instructional.

Sexual Abuse

“A Teacher” Illustrates the Difficulty of Recognizing Abuse

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on January 4, 2021

In a new miniseries, viewers gain insight into some of the ways victims may be blindsided by predatory behavior.

In a new miniseries, viewers gain insight into some of the ways victims may be blindsided by predatory behavior.

Health

Could Worrying Be Good for Your Health?

Juliana Breines Ph.D. on December 27, 2020

When it comes to health, “don’t worry about it” may not always be the best advice.

When it comes to health, “don’t worry about it” may not always be the best advice.

Supporting others not only benefits the recipient; it can also benefit the giver by reducing stress and improving well-being. But this is only true under certain conditions.