The Pathways of Experience

Emotion Regulation

3 Ways to Find Your Happy Place, Wherever You Are

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on January 27, 2023

The art of happiness is the application of the right frames of interpretation to life events.

The art of happiness is the application of the right frames of interpretation to life events.

Self-Esteem

The Selfie: It's a Lifestyle Now

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on January 14, 2023

Personal Perspective: Most of us partake of the "selfie mentality," but does it lead to problems?

Personal Perspective: Most of us partake of the "selfie mentality," but does it lead to problems?

Relationships

Can You Take "It" With You? Reflections on Life Planning

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

Is the money we earn “ours” to do with as we wish or is it simply one element in a family’s requirements of living?

Is the money we earn “ours” to do with as we wish or is it simply one element in a family’s requirements of living?

Relationships

People and Pets: Why We Love Our Animal Friends

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

My students argue that pets are "nicer than people." Is that true?

My students argue that pets are "nicer than people." Is that true?

Self-Help

Can We Really Make Ourselves Happy? Try These Ideas

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on November 17, 2022

Happiness is a commitment to building worthy relationships with the world. Life's principle challenge is being active in that way.

Happiness is a commitment to building worthy relationships with the world. Life's principle challenge is being active in that way.

Relationships

Why Americans Love Football

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on October 18, 2022

Football and baseball express two different visions of individual and social accomplishment. Which do you prefer?

Football and baseball express two different visions of individual and social accomplishment. Which do you prefer?

Fear

Televised Disaster: Our Fascination With Catastrophes

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on October 2, 2022

Do people find satisfaction in scenes of human misery and environmental degradation?

Do people find satisfaction in scenes of human misery and environmental degradation?

Career

Secrets to Being Happy: The Danish Example

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on September 20, 2022

Danes understand that wealth and happiness are public as well as personal matters.

Danes understand that wealth and happiness are public as well as personal matters.

Relationships

Why We Complain

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on August 21, 2022

Although a few of us may be compulsive curmudgeons, most of us are quite strategic about our expressions of grievance.

Although a few of us may be compulsive curmudgeons, most of us are quite strategic about our expressions of grievance.

Career

The "Productivity Compulsion": Do You Have It?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on July 21, 2022

Do you feel pressure to stay busy and be productive? Here are some questions to see if you're overdoing it.

Do you feel pressure to stay busy and be productive? Here are some questions to see if you're overdoing it.

Mindfulness

4 Ways of Being Unhappy: Do Any Apply to You?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on June 29, 2022

In modern societies, people commonly feel empty, unacknowledged, and adrift. Consider four sources of that discontent.

In modern societies, people commonly feel empty, unacknowledged, and adrift. Consider four sources of that discontent.

Sociopathy

White Replacement Theory: A Challenge for America

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on May 26, 2022

If history teaches anything, it is that people in every generation must be vigilant regarding the dangers of intergroup conflict and oppression.

If history teaches anything, it is that people in every generation must be vigilant regarding the dangers of intergroup conflict and oppression.

Relationships

Repairing the Self: Lessons From a Popular British TV Series

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on April 28, 2022

We think of personal development as enhancement or rejuvenation. Consider restoration as another approach.

We think of personal development as enhancement or rejuvenation. Consider restoration as another approach.

Embarrassment

Shame and Aggression: A Dangerous Combination

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on April 1, 2022

Why are some of us unwilling, or perhaps unable, to acknowledge personal failings and self-doubts?

Why are some of us unwilling, or perhaps unable, to acknowledge personal failings and self-doubts?

Asperger's Syndrome

Why We Enjoy Puzzles: The View From Play Studies

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on March 1, 2022

Players "create" or "invent" the world. Puzzlers "discover" it.

Players "create" or "invent" the world. Puzzlers "discover" it.

Personality

Personality Props: Material Objects and the Self

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on January 25, 2022

Material things are more than tools, habitats, and conveyances. They are the circumstances of who we have been, are now, and will be.

Material things are more than tools, habitats, and conveyances. They are the circumstances of who we have been, are now, and will be.

Will, character, and choice-making all are important to change. However, we also must be clear about the broader situations that are the contexts of those choices.

The holiday season can create stress, anxiety, and even depression, leading us to play four typical roles. Do any of them apply to you?

Anxiety

Managing Emotions: How Private Are Our Feelings?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on October 30, 2021

Humans do not simply feel or have feelings. We comprehend, monitor, and communicate those feelings with shared ideas through culture.

Humans do not simply feel or have feelings. We comprehend, monitor, and communicate those feelings with shared ideas through culture.

Aging

Rethinking Retirement: Practice the Basic Commitments of Life

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on September 30, 2021

Retirement isn't a life of ease. It's an ongoing process of self-realization.

Retirement isn't a life of ease. It's an ongoing process of self-realization.