The Social Self

Sport and Competition

The Psychology Underlying Women's Basketball Ascension

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on July 21, 2025

The fanbase of women's basketball is growing, in part fueled by younger female fans who are drawn to self-relevant personalities and compelling communal values of the sport.

The fanbase of women's basketball is growing, in part fueled by younger female fans who are drawn to self-relevant personalities and compelling communal values of the sport.

Nostalgia

Nostalgia Is Important for Social Connection and Self-Identity

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on July 8, 2025

Summertime often encourages nostalgic trips down memory lane, and these journeys are beneficial for self-esteem, social connection, and understanding ourselves.

Summertime often encourages nostalgic trips down memory lane, and these journeys are beneficial for self-esteem, social connection, and understanding ourselves.

Awe

How the Eclipse Could Inspire Awe and Connectedness

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 8, 2024

Solar eclipses promote prosocial outcomes—like helping others or concern for nature—by triggering awe in collective contexts, focusing people's attention outward rather than on the self.

Solar eclipses promote prosocial outcomes—like helping others or concern for nature—by triggering awe in collective contexts, focusing people's attention outward rather than on the self.

Animal Behavior

Pet Connections Promote Environmental Sustainability

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on October 22, 2023

Connections with pets not only improve human health, but they can promote environmental sustainability by increasing people's concern with protecting nature.

Connections with pets not only improve human health, but they can promote environmental sustainability by increasing people's concern with protecting nature.

Compulsive Behaviors

Why Ubiquitous Mobile Gambling is a Psychological Game-Changer

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

The rapid growth of online gambling may profoundly change the psychology of sports betting—ironically leading to less happiness among bettors.

The rapid growth of online gambling may profoundly change the psychology of sports betting—ironically leading to less happiness among bettors.

Intelligence

Webb Telescope Can Inspire Hope When We Need It Most

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on July 13, 2022

Are you tired of more bad news and deeper divisions in the world? NASA's Webb Telescope offers lessons in hope.

Are you tired of more bad news and deeper divisions in the world? NASA's Webb Telescope offers lessons in hope.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How Will COVID-19 Affect the Importance of Sports to Fans?

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on March 11, 2021

With college basketball tournaments now underway, how might COVID-19 reshape sports fans' allegiances to their favorite teams?

With college basketball tournaments now underway, how might COVID-19 reshape sports fans' allegiances to their favorite teams?

Health

Finding Joy and Resilience During Stay-at-Home Times

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 19, 2020

Important life lessons from stay-at-home confinement can improve well-being not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but beyond it too: enjoying time affluence, nature, and gratitude.

Important life lessons from stay-at-home confinement can improve well-being not only during the COVID-19 pandemic but beyond it too: enjoying time affluence, nature, and gratitude.

Animal Behavior

The Well-Being Benefits of Seeing Pets as Family Members

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on August 13, 2019

Most people consider their pets to be family members. New research suggests this benefits mental and physical health and improves social connectedness.

Most people consider their pets to be family members. New research suggests this benefits mental and physical health and improves social connectedness.

Gratitude

Benefits of Gratitude: Giving Thanks Improves Our Own Joy

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on November 22, 2018

With Thanksgiving here, many people focus on family and friends while counting their blessings. Expressing gratitude is more than a Thanksgiving ritual, it improves our happiness.

With Thanksgiving here, many people focus on family and friends while counting their blessings. Expressing gratitude is more than a Thanksgiving ritual, it improves our happiness.

Motivation

New Year's Resolutions: Why Do Them Now and Publicly?

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on January 4, 2017

We often hear about why New Year's Resolutions fail, but why do we make them in January? We can leverage lessons from them to make our goal pursuit better for the rest of the year!

We often hear about why New Year's Resolutions fail, but why do we make them in January? We can leverage lessons from them to make our goal pursuit better for the rest of the year!

Health

Hugs and Warm Touches Benefit Health and Well-Being

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on August 16, 2016

Need a hug? Research shows positive interpersonal touching fights illness, increases happiness and well-being, and supports social connectedness with others.

Need a hug? Research shows positive interpersonal touching fights illness, increases happiness and well-being, and supports social connectedness with others.

Relationships

Does Warmer Weather Really Make You Happier?

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on April 4, 2016

Now that warmer weather is here, people assume greater happiness and new love will follow. However, the data indicate many of these assumptions are iffy and often simply wrong.

Now that warmer weather is here, people assume greater happiness and new love will follow. However, the data indicate many of these assumptions are iffy and often simply wrong.

Environment

The Psychology of Why Climate Change Efforts Typically Fail

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on December 7, 2015

Psychological principles help explain our apathy toward climate change.

Psychological principles help explain our apathy toward climate change.

Sport and Competition

The Psychology of Sports Fandom

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on July 13, 2015

Sports fan allegiances illustrate basic properties of the self, including bolstering our self-esteem, improving our belongingness with others, and justifying our belief systems. These processes reflect broader human motives that can explain a considerable amount of behavior, ranging from nationalism to vigorously defending economic and religious systems.

Sports fan allegiances illustrate basic properties of the self, including bolstering our self-esteem, improving our belongingness with others, and justifying our belief systems. These processes reflect broader human motives that can explain a considerable amount of behavior, ranging from nationalism to vigorously defending economic and religious systems.

Media

Why the New College Playoff System Won't Make Fans Happy

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on October 28, 2014

Tonight, the College Football Playoff Committee will unveil its top 25, and college football fans can celebrate the brilliance and improvement the playoff system promises. Yet in the end, most people will be unhappy with this new system because of the same motivated biases that drove their discontent with previous approaches to determine the best team in college football.

Tonight, the College Football Playoff Committee will unveil its top 25, and college football fans can celebrate the brilliance and improvement the playoff system promises. Yet in the end, most people will be unhappy with this new system because of the same motivated biases that drove their discontent with previous approaches to determine the best team in college football.

Media

New Media Reshapes Scientific Discourse: Promise, Pitfalls

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on May 30, 2014

Social media can play a considerable new role in scientific discourse and debate. As psychologists, we understand the pitfalls of catharsis, the importance of empathetic concern, and how egos are inherent in progress. Yet, social media introduces new blind spots related to these themes that we must consider to make progress in a civil, respectful, and effective fashion.

Social media can play a considerable new role in scientific discourse and debate. As psychologists, we understand the pitfalls of catharsis, the importance of empathetic concern, and how egos are inherent in progress. Yet, social media introduces new blind spots related to these themes that we must consider to make progress in a civil, respectful, and effective fashion.

Leadership

The King Holiday: Broader Reflections for Us All

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on January 20, 2014

On a day where we should all reflect on King's legacy, I am struck by how much of his vision reflected important, core principles of the psychology of the self. King's transformational leadership style and his focus on collectiveness in reducing prejudice and increasing concern for others are triumphs for us all, and these are lessons people should embrace every day.

On a day where we should all reflect on King's legacy, I am struck by how much of his vision reflected important, core principles of the psychology of the self. King's transformational leadership style and his focus on collectiveness in reducing prejudice and increasing concern for others are triumphs for us all, and these are lessons people should embrace every day.

Happiness

Denying the Self Increases Happiness

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on September 11, 2013

Having more (e.g., money, material goods) often does not lead to greater happiness and well-being. As people grow accustomed to "the good life," they often experience hedonic adaptation (they get used to the finer things and savor daily pleasures less). New research shows that self-denial fights hedonic adaptation, increasing happiness, positive feelings, and savoring.

Having more (e.g., money, material goods) often does not lead to greater happiness and well-being. As people grow accustomed to "the good life," they often experience hedonic adaptation (they get used to the finer things and savor daily pleasures less). New research shows that self-denial fights hedonic adaptation, increasing happiness, positive feelings, and savoring.

Happiness

Belongingness: Essential Bridges that Support the Self

Allen R McConnell Ph.D. on August 1, 2013

Belongingness improves health and well-being, regardless of whether social connection is with people or even one's pets. Giving to others (vs. the self) improves happiness, while affirming important values increases academic belonging, improving grades and health outcomes. The self functions best when focused on social connection than on establishing one's distinctiveness.

Belongingness improves health and well-being, regardless of whether social connection is with people or even one's pets. Giving to others (vs. the self) improves happiness, while affirming important values increases academic belonging, improving grades and health outcomes. The self functions best when focused on social connection than on establishing one's distinctiveness.