Insight

This system can make anyone remarkably thoughtful and good at thinking. Wisdom and goodwill increase together. Try out "Goodness" in your classroom or at the office.

Education

Toward a Solution for World Peace

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on December 2, 2015

You throw your hands up in dismay after each new publicized violent act. "What is going on in the world?!" you ask. See if you think this solution for world peace could work.

You throw your hands up in dismay after each new publicized violent act. "What is going on in the world?!" you ask. See if you think this solution for world peace could work.

Health

Study: Telling the Truth May Actually Improve Your Health

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on August 9, 2014

Read about the amazing health benefit of "always meaning what you say." This idea was tested with a sample of 72 adults just this year. Half of them were randomly assigned to a Sincere group that was given these instructions to follow over a 5-week course. As compared with a control group, the Sincere group reported on average 7 fewer physical complaints in the last week.

Read about the amazing health benefit of "always meaning what you say." This idea was tested with a sample of 72 adults just this year. Half of them were randomly assigned to a Sincere group that was given these instructions to follow over a 5-week course. As compared with a control group, the Sincere group reported on average 7 fewer physical complaints in the last week.

Personality

Two Kinds of People in the World

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on July 18, 2014

It is said that there are two kinds of people: givers and takers. But that label is not particularly helpful in predicting how a given person will act in a given instance. Knowing whether the people in your life emphasize form over substance will help you see the world through their eyes. Your understanding could keep you from being exploited and bring peace of mind.

It is said that there are two kinds of people: givers and takers. But that label is not particularly helpful in predicting how a given person will act in a given instance. Knowing whether the people in your life emphasize form over substance will help you see the world through their eyes. Your understanding could keep you from being exploited and bring peace of mind.

Sex

Sexual Double-Standard: Big Lie That Hurts Women AND Men

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on May 4, 2014

If a man wants to have sex AND be honest about his intentions, he might try saying, “Look I have a burning desire to be with you physically. As with you, it might or might not lead to anything. But I most definitely would not view you differently – only a pig would – if you agree. Of course, I wouldn’t tell anyone. And I will try my hardest to please you physically.”

If a man wants to have sex AND be honest about his intentions, he might try saying, “Look I have a burning desire to be with you physically. As with you, it might or might not lead to anything. But I most definitely would not view you differently – only a pig would – if you agree. Of course, I wouldn’t tell anyone. And I will try my hardest to please you physically.”

Sex

Searching For Mona: Finding That Heart-of-Gold Hottie

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 28, 2014

You managed to free yourself from an arrogant woman. A far more appealing woman is out there for you. She loathes to put herself above others or exaggerate her skills and talents. She will believe you when you say you are sincere, kind, and committed because her own heart is sincere. The world opens up with a woman like this. And she is far sexier than you may imagine.

You managed to free yourself from an arrogant woman. A far more appealing woman is out there for you. She loathes to put herself above others or exaggerate her skills and talents. She will believe you when you say you are sincere, kind, and committed because her own heart is sincere. The world opens up with a woman like this. And she is far sexier than you may imagine.

Mating

How We End Up With the Right Partner

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 25, 2014

Attraction is great. Personality traits may be more important.

Attraction is great. Personality traits may be more important.

It's tough to know where you stand with an arrogant man. He obstructs the truth to protect his inflated image. At least you don't have to wonder if he is honest—his shallow sense of entitlement tells you that he is not.

Bias

Hey Everybody, "I'm not racist!"...A Call to (Open) Arms

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 20, 2014

“How could racism and sexism have persisted into the modern era?” A key to solving this puzzle may come from understanding the motivations of humble, honest people. A great many of them may be hiding the truth: They are devoid of racism or sexism. They don't reveal these truths or confront oppressors because they question their own motives and have high regard for others.

“How could racism and sexism have persisted into the modern era?” A key to solving this puzzle may come from understanding the motivations of humble, honest people. A great many of them may be hiding the truth: They are devoid of racism or sexism. They don't reveal these truths or confront oppressors because they question their own motives and have high regard for others.

Narcissism

Is "Generation Me" a fair label based on the evidence?

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 11, 2014

College students today know they have been pegged as Generation Me. However, the empirical foundation for claiming that there has been a rise in narcissism among college students must be called into question.

College students today know they have been pegged as Generation Me. However, the empirical foundation for claiming that there has been a rise in narcissism among college students must be called into question.

Anger

What Do Tests of Statistical Significance Reveal?

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 10, 2014

Are statistics lies as some experts have claimed? What exactly is their purpose? Read on to understand once and for all the essential role of statistics in the interpretation of results.

Are statistics lies as some experts have claimed? What exactly is their purpose? Read on to understand once and for all the essential role of statistics in the interpretation of results.

Deception

Doormats Unite: Confronting the Big Liar in Your Life

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 9, 2014

People who lie to us often wrongly interpret "beyond a reasonable doubt" as "100% proof". However, you do not need 100% proof to take action! You can use the implausibility of the liars' claims to decide that they are indeed lying.

People who lie to us often wrongly interpret "beyond a reasonable doubt" as "100% proof". However, you do not need 100% proof to take action! You can use the implausibility of the liars' claims to decide that they are indeed lying.

Narcissism

Who Falls for Dishonest People? Not Who You'd Expect

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 7, 2014

If you're an honest person stuck with a narcissistic partner, there is no reason to doubt yourself or your judgment.

If you're an honest person stuck with a narcissistic partner, there is no reason to doubt yourself or your judgment.

Personality

People Pleasers Are Underrated

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on April 4, 2014

“Who wouldn’t encourage their kids to be people pleasers? And who wouldn’t want to be around such persons?” After all, people pleasers pay their fair share of expenses, do their fair share of work, and have in general a high regard for other people. Yet far from being spineless, they are the very ones who will stick up for you when you really need it.

“Who wouldn’t encourage their kids to be people pleasers? And who wouldn’t want to be around such persons?” After all, people pleasers pay their fair share of expenses, do their fair share of work, and have in general a high regard for other people. Yet far from being spineless, they are the very ones who will stick up for you when you really need it.

If you think someone with a PhD is less qualified than someone with an MD when it comes to having cutting-edge knowledge, you have that backwards.

Sport and Competition

How Can You Tell If You're Going to Succeed or Land the Position?

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on February 25, 2011

When people try to guess whether they are going to succeed at a task or land a position, they tend to focus on themselves. However, research suggests that if you really want to know whether you are going to succeed, you should look at the competition, not in the mirror.

When people try to guess whether they are going to succeed at a task or land a position, they tend to focus on themselves. However, research suggests that if you really want to know whether you are going to succeed, you should look at the competition, not in the mirror.

Dreaming

That Ex-Lover Who Keeps Popping Up in Your Dreams

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on January 26, 2011

Having dreams of your ex-boyfriend lately? Maybe it's because you are about to ovulate.

Having dreams of your ex-boyfriend lately? Maybe it's because you are about to ovulate.

Evolutionary Psychology

Why Great-Looking People Are Sexier than Brilliant People

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on December 30, 2010

We might say that we value intelligence in a prospective lover. And yet our bodies can respond very powerfully to a great-looking, but not-so-brilliant partner. Why aren't the smartest people also the sexiest ones?

We might say that we value intelligence in a prospective lover. And yet our bodies can respond very powerfully to a great-looking, but not-so-brilliant partner. Why aren't the smartest people also the sexiest ones?

Law and Crime

The Christmas Con

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on November 30, 2010

 Planning to do some Christmas shopping? Be prepared for the con artists who hit you up for money.

 Planning to do some Christmas shopping? Be prepared for the con artists who hit you up for money.

Relationships

Oops! I apologize for not being the person you meant to email.

Anita E. Kelly Ph.D. on November 29, 2010

Why is it so difficult to communicate through email? What can you do to communicate better? Read about several key psychological priniciples that can help explain the challenge of communicating electronically.

Why is it so difficult to communicate through email? What can you do to communicate better? Read about several key psychological priniciples that can help explain the challenge of communicating electronically.