Incompetence

Politics

A Model for Understanding Unexpected Voter Behavior

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on November 21, 2024

A four-factor psychological "theory of intelligent action" may help to explain why so many people, distressed over inflation, voted as they did in the 2024 election.

A four-factor psychological "theory of intelligent action" may help to explain why so many people, distressed over inflation, voted as they did in the 2024 election.

Career

When Great Art Is Not Good

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on March 9, 2024

Why are some modern art works worth many millions of dollars while others of equal quality are almost worthless? This is a topic for social psychologists to explore.

Why are some modern art works worth many millions of dollars while others of equal quality are almost worthless? This is a topic for social psychologists to explore.

Deception

Phishing on Craigslist: Still Gullible After All These Years

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on December 13, 2023

A Personal Perspective: I nearly fell prey recently to a common phishing scam aimed at people who post items for sale on Craigslist. Four factors explain fraud risk.

A Personal Perspective: I nearly fell prey recently to a common phishing scam aimed at people who post items for sale on Craigslist. Four factors explain fraud risk.

Wisdom

Was Oppenheimer a "Narr"?

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on July 31, 2023

Einstein called Oppenheimer a "narr" (Yiddish for fool) for fighting the denial of his security clearance renewal, revoked because of his relationships with Communists.

Einstein called Oppenheimer a "narr" (Yiddish for fool) for fighting the denial of his security clearance renewal, revoked because of his relationships with Communists.

There is a pervasive tendency among psychologists to assume that organicity equals genetics, but brain damage caused by external factors can cause neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, where there is no known role played by genetics.

Anger

Prince Harry's Disappointments, Annoyances, and Hatreds

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on February 11, 2023

In his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry complained about many in his family, sparing only his wife and his late mother. A content analysis of Harry's whines was conducted.

In his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry complained about many in his family, sparing only his wife and his late mother. A content analysis of Harry's whines was conducted.

Forgiveness

General Semantics and the Psychology of Forgiveness

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on January 22, 2023

General systems theory is based on the idea that negative feelings for others flow from use of the verb "to be." Using "has" instead, Prince Harry would be forgiving towards Kate.

General systems theory is based on the idea that negative feelings for others flow from use of the verb "to be." Using "has" instead, Prince Harry would be forgiving towards Kate.

Therapy

Mental Health Involves the Ability to Ignore Much

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on January 18, 2023

Personal Perspective: Prince Harry's interest in mental illness is admirable, but not his implicit message that venting is a step toward mental health.

Personal Perspective: Prince Harry's interest in mental illness is admirable, but not his implicit message that venting is a step toward mental health.

Alcoholism

Sparing the Parkland Shooter: Lessons From a Challenging Case

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

A Fort Lauderdale jury recently refused to sentence Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz to death. What can we learn from this tragic case?

A Fort Lauderdale jury recently refused to sentence Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz to death. What can we learn from this tragic case?

Philosophy

On the Philosophy of Uncertainty

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on April 3, 2022

Did the great philosopher in his book "On Certainty" have anything useful to say about mass credulity and gullibility towards false information? The answer unfortunately is "no."

Did the great philosopher in his book "On Certainty" have anything useful to say about mass credulity and gullibility towards false information? The answer unfortunately is "no."

Autism

Julian Assange Has Autism?

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on November 11, 2021

A British judge is blocking the extradition to the U.S. of Julian Assange on the basis of autism and related suicide risk. This raises questions about forensic uses of the category.

A British judge is blocking the extradition to the U.S. of Julian Assange on the basis of autism and related suicide risk. This raises questions about forensic uses of the category.

The anti-vax movement, as it relates to resistance to the Covid-19 vaccine, can be understood as a form of "foolish action." Four factors explain the problem and how to overcome it.

Alcoholism

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Adoption

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on June 5, 2021

Individuals who have been adopted are at increased risk for various forms of difficulty, including incarceration. Prenatal alcohol exposure is responsible for much of this.

Individuals who have been adopted are at increased risk for various forms of difficulty, including incarceration. Prenatal alcohol exposure is responsible for much of this.

Intelligence

James Flynn and the Flynn Effect: Death of an IQ Philosopher

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on May 19, 2021

How did a New Zealand Professor of Political Philosophy revolutionize the making and forensic utilization of US intelligence tests?

How did a New Zealand Professor of Political Philosophy revolutionize the making and forensic utilization of US intelligence tests?

Alcoholism

Malnutrition and Infant Brain Development

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on August 13, 2020

Unemployed parents unable to put enough food on the table during the pandemic are facing the tragic possibility that the brain development of their children will be affected.

Unemployed parents unable to put enough food on the table during the pandemic are facing the tragic possibility that the brain development of their children will be affected.

Psychologists have much to say about why some people buy into dubious medical fads. A model of "foolish action" helps to explain the hydroxychloroquine fad for treating Covid-19.

Media

"Understanding Media" Revisited

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on December 8, 2019

Media guru Marshall McLuhan might have advised Elizabeth Warren to focus less on content (policy) and more on softening her edges.

Media guru Marshall McLuhan might have advised Elizabeth Warren to focus less on content (policy) and more on softening her edges.

Bias

Ethnic Disparities in New York's Specialized High Schools

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on May 29, 2019

New York City has some of the finest public high schools in the world but fails to attain adequate ethnic diversity in them.

New York City has some of the finest public high schools in the world but fails to attain adequate ethnic diversity in them.

Studies of separated twins are inherently fascinating. But this study was unique in that the siblings were separated intentionally by a researcher who never published his results

Anger

An Exemplary Man Admired by William James

Stephen Greenspan Ph.D. on January 27, 2019

In Varieties of Religious Experience, William James wrote about Walt Whitman, who James saw as admirable in his eschewal of anger and his ability to find everything of interest.

In Varieties of Religious Experience, William James wrote about Walt Whitman, who James saw as admirable in his eschewal of anger and his ability to find everything of interest.