One Among Many

Free Will

The Intuition of Free Will

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on November 13, 2025

The belief in the freedom of the will is central to folk psychology. The time has come to reconsider.

The belief in the freedom of the will is central to folk psychology. The time has come to reconsider.

Trust

Trust Lies Between Hope and Fear

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on October 17, 2025

Interpersonal trust comprises the hope that others will reciprocate goodwill and the lack of fear that they won’t.

Interpersonal trust comprises the hope that others will reciprocate goodwill and the lack of fear that they won’t.

Social Life

The Art of the Subtle Put-Down

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on October 3, 2025

Social communication favors those who get to ask the questions. They can make others feel inadequate or insensitive. Defense options, though, do exist.

Social communication favors those who get to ask the questions. They can make others feel inadequate or insensitive. Defense options, though, do exist.

Prisoner's Dilemma

Pascal’s Dilemma of Faith

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on July 1, 2025

We cannot prove the (non-)existence of God, but we can ask what might happen if we played strategic games with Him.

We cannot prove the (non-)existence of God, but we can ask what might happen if we played strategic games with Him.

Parenting

How Fathers Teach Virtue by Example

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on June 13, 2025

The story of fatherhood is mixed. It is tempting to focus on the troubles; so let’s not do this today.

The story of fatherhood is mixed. It is tempting to focus on the troubles; so let’s not do this today.

Social Life

Why People Disappoint Us

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 27, 2025

Disappointments are inevitable in the social world. We can explain this psychologically, but then what?

Disappointments are inevitable in the social world. We can explain this psychologically, but then what?

Social Life

Bargaining in the Fog of Uncertainty

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 19, 2025

The ultimatum game is a standard way of studying zero-sum bargaining: Take it or leave it!

The ultimatum game is a standard way of studying zero-sum bargaining: Take it or leave it!

Forgiveness

Understanding Second Chances

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 17, 2025

As people agonize over the decision of whether to grant second chances to those who have disappointed them, we must turn to psychological science for guidance.

As people agonize over the decision of whether to grant second chances to those who have disappointed them, we must turn to psychological science for guidance.

Darwinian logic gives fathers an edge over their sons, at least on average. This is one of many sources of intergenerational conflict.

Ethics and Morality

A Nazi-Era Crisis of Conscience

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 4, 2025

In Bordeaux in 1940, a Portuguese consul overcame bystander apathy, lost his livelihood, and became a national hero—posthumously.

In Bordeaux in 1940, a Portuguese consul overcame bystander apathy, lost his livelihood, and became a national hero—posthumously.

Evolutionary Psychology

The Survival of the Unfit Is No Evolutionary Riddle

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

Overly risky or self-destructive behavior can be observed in any generation. There need not be a gene for it—random mutations will replenish the pool.

Overly risky or self-destructive behavior can be observed in any generation. There need not be a gene for it—random mutations will replenish the pool.

Social Life

The Benefits of Overconfidence Have Been Exaggerated

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 18, 2025

The idea that overconfidence pays dies hard. It boils down to the wish of getting something for nothing. Let's take a look at the evidence.

The idea that overconfidence pays dies hard. It boils down to the wish of getting something for nothing. Let's take a look at the evidence.

Decision-Making

A Game-Theoric Comment on Pascal's Wager

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 15, 2025

Pascal’s wager can be revived as a trust game, with interesting implications.

Pascal’s wager can be revived as a trust game, with interesting implications.

Deception

A Desire for Delusion

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 14, 2025

There is wisdom in perceiving reality as it is, until we have strong evidence to think otherwise.

There is wisdom in perceiving reality as it is, until we have strong evidence to think otherwise.

Free Will

Quantum Will in Therapy

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on March 17, 2025

Quantum theory may make us more uncertain, but it does not incline us to believe in free will.

Quantum theory may make us more uncertain, but it does not incline us to believe in free will.

Social Life

The Psychology of Picking Up the Check

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on March 15, 2025

Defectors and freeloaders pose particular challenges.

Defectors and freeloaders pose particular challenges.

Social Life

A Third-Party Ultimatum Game

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on February 3, 2025

When the terms of a proposed transaction get worse, can we pull out even if this harms a third party who is not at fault?

When the terms of a proposed transaction get worse, can we pull out even if this harms a third party who is not at fault?

Cognition

Should We Leave Tough Choices to Chance?

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on January 26, 2025

Choice depends on preference. What to do, however, when there is no preference, yet a choice must be made?

Choice depends on preference. What to do, however, when there is no preference, yet a choice must be made?

Relationships

The Breakup Game

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on December 12, 2024

Rejecting a romantic breakup is fraught with risk and dysfunction. Game theory shows why.

Rejecting a romantic breakup is fraught with risk and dysfunction. Game theory shows why.

Happiness

Can You Choose Your Beliefs to Find Happiness?

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on November 18, 2024

As the psychology of motivated reasoning is being reintroduced to economic theory, it is important to remember its limitations.

As the psychology of motivated reasoning is being reintroduced to economic theory, it is important to remember its limitations.