Toward a Less Egoic World

Enhancing our personal and collective well-being

Anger
How to Have Less Disagreeable Disagreements

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

Disagreements can escalate when people become ego-involved and defensive. High-quality listening can short-circuit this process.

Disagreements can escalate when people become ego-involved and defensive. High-quality listening can short-circuit this process.

Attention
What Makes Someone Humble

Mark Leary Ph.D. on December 4, 2019

We know a great deal about what humble people are like, but what is the central characteristic that makes them humble?

We know a great deal about what humble people are like, but what is the central characteristic that makes them humble?

Identity
A Different Kind of Identity

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 23, 2019

Most identities distinguish us from other people. What if our identities connected us with everybody else?

Most identities distinguish us from other people. What if our identities connected us with everybody else?

Identity
Ideological Identity Adds Fuel to Political Disagreements

Mark Leary Ph.D. on November 27, 2018

Viewing oneself as liberal or conservative creates social distance and fosters animosity toward those who disagree with us. Why turn your political beliefs into an identity?

Viewing oneself as liberal or conservative creates social distance and fosters animosity toward those who disagree with us. Why turn your political beliefs into an identity?

Personality
Cruelty After the Storm

Mark Leary Ph.D. on October 5, 2018

After a natural disaster, many people rush in to help. Others hurry in to take advantage of the victims.

After a natural disaster, many people rush in to help. Others hurry in to take advantage of the victims.

Personality
The Psychological Core of Unethical, Antisocial People

Mark Leary Ph.D. on August 22, 2018

A single dark trait underlies many negative, hurtful personality characteristics, including narcissism, Machiavellianism, moral disengagement, sadism, and spitefulness.

A single dark trait underlies many negative, hurtful personality characteristics, including narcissism, Machiavellianism, moral disengagement, sadism, and spitefulness.

Relationships
Living With a Know-It-All

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 19, 2018

Know-it-alls don't seem to know that always thinking they're right can hurt their relationships.

Know-it-alls don't seem to know that always thinking they're right can hurt their relationships.

Suicide
Suicide as an Escape From the Self

Mark Leary Ph.D. on June 11, 2018

For many people, suicide is a baffling puzzle. This theory may help it make sense.

For many people, suicide is a baffling puzzle. This theory may help it make sense.

Trust
The Case for Ego-Skepticism

Mark Leary Ph.D. on June 8, 2018

Being aware of our unavoidable egocentrism can reduce the degree to which it biases our perceptions, leads to bad decisions, and causes conflict with other people.

Being aware of our unavoidable egocentrism can reduce the degree to which it biases our perceptions, leads to bad decisions, and causes conflict with other people.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness for Millennials

Mark Leary Ph.D. on April 24, 2018

Koru Mindfulness training is helping a new generation of adults manage stress and lead healthier, happier, more balanced lives.

Koru Mindfulness training is helping a new generation of adults manage stress and lead healthier, happier, more balanced lives.

Anxiety
Why People Worry Much More Than They Need To

Mark Leary Ph.D. on March 14, 2018

Anxiety may be a nearly unavoidable feature of human life today because of changes that occurred at the dawn of modern civilization.

Anxiety may be a nearly unavoidable feature of human life today because of changes that occurred at the dawn of modern civilization.

Law and Crime
Social Vigilantes

Mark Leary Ph.D. on January 14, 2018

Just as vigilantes in the old west took it upon themselves to enforce their views of justice, social vigilantes think it is their duty to tell the rest of us what to believe.

Just as vigilantes in the old west took it upon themselves to enforce their views of justice, social vigilantes think it is their duty to tell the rest of us what to believe.

Law and Crime
The Scourge of Selfishness

Mark Leary Ph.D. on September 11, 2017

Figuring out how to reduce selfishness would have big gains for society.

Figuring out how to reduce selfishness would have big gains for society.

Attention
Distracted From Life

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 18, 2017

Too much self-thought distracts you from the things that really matter.

Too much self-thought distracts you from the things that really matter.

Spirituality
Belief Superiority and Political Discord

Mark Leary Ph.D. on June 29, 2017

In today's political climate, believing that one's political views are superior is one thing that is bipartisan.

In today's political climate, believing that one's political views are superior is one thing that is bipartisan.

Relationships
Most Problems Are People Problems

Mark Leary Ph.D. on June 29, 2017

Why does an otherwise intelligent species create so many problems for itself?

Why does an otherwise intelligent species create so many problems for itself?

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Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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