A reader asks what I can write about ‘conditioning.’ He writes, ‘I go to a psychiatrist here in my country. Children are conditioned to think in a certain way by their parents and authority figures like teachers, priests etc. I … Continue reading
Several readers wrote and asked me why some people talk badly about their friends behind their backs. The rational question: Why spend time with people you don’t like or respect? Or, if your really do like and respect them, why … Continue reading
A reader comments: Once a psychologist told me my mother abandoned me. It had never occurred to me to think like that. I had never put expectations or demands on my mother like that and more, I thought it would … Continue reading
Says one thing; does another. This applies to both big and little things. It’s a form of lying, even if it’s not deliberate. Even if the lie does you no harm, it tells you something about the person’s relationship with … Continue reading
A reader wrote and asked me to please be more positive in my articles on politics/society, like I am with my psychological articles. He asked me to please make people feel uplifted about our political and social situation, the same … Continue reading
Comments from a reader: I am “rude” to telephone solicitors and any sales/religion person that comes to my home uninvited. “Don’t call back”, “Get off my property”. I am the victim. I hear others excuse the rudeness of solicitors: “Well … Continue reading
The spanking article I wrote raised a lot of issues. Many of the comments were ones I predicted in the article. For example, ‘I spanked my child and he turned out all right; how dare you challenge spanking?’ Or, ‘How … Continue reading
A reader writes: A new study was just released that concludes that spanking your child is tied to aggression down the line. With all of the concerns about bullying and if a child becomes violent when they grow up, the … Continue reading
‘Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.’ True or false? False, according to what now passes for psychiatric expertise. One prominent media psychiatrist (Dr. Keith Ablow of Fox News) even goes so far as … Continue reading
Are envy/jealousy an indication of insecurity? Yes, but not necessarily in the way you might think. At the core, a resentful or envious person has the belief, ‘You can have this but I can’t. And that’s not fair.’ Such a … Continue reading
What is psychological visibility, and how can one nurture it? A reader writes: It deeply affected me to read your recent article on ten tips for well-adjusted children, wherein you stated the goal of childhood is to come out feeling … Continue reading
From a reader: ‘I read your recent Life’s a Beach on ‘Manners—Why Bother?’ with great interest. Why do you think some people acquire manners, while others don’t? Even little things, like returning phone calls or emails, or remembering what someone … Continue reading