A growing number of research studies are showing that self-esteem might not be all that it’s cracked up to be. Low-achieving students, some studies show, think as highly of themselves as valedictorians. Violent criminals are no more likely to show … Continue reading
Category: Psychology & Self-Improvement
Couples Therapy: Madness or Sanity?
Marital counseling and couples therapy are often a flop. This holds true even if the therapist is a pretty good one. Why is this? There are two common reasons. One is that couples wait until at least one of them … Continue reading
Men and Women Both Need Psychology
Being committed to growth means that you are willing to question yourself and others; to think philosophically and critically, rather than just react to events; and to go by reason rather than just by sheer ‘instinct.’ A person committed to … Continue reading
In Defense of Teenagers
A Cornell University study asks, ‘Why do teens do stupid things?’ This same study also purports to answer that question. First of all, I have a problem with the premise of the question. Not all teens do stupid things, nor … Continue reading
Addicted? Stop Waiting and Help Yourself
Why do most people falsely believe that addiction is a disease? Are they all simply lazy and dishonest? No. While some are, I maintain that most are not. The confusion and error is created, in large part, by superficial similarities … Continue reading
The Milgram Experiment and What it Taught Us About Human Obedience
Back in the 1970s, social psychologist Stanley Milgram published a study that focused on the psychology of obedience. In the study, volunteers were asked to administer shocks to ‘learners’ in an experiment. When the ‘learner’ made an error, the volunteer … Continue reading
Beyond The Stale Platitudes About Love and Marriage (Part II)
You hear about this syndrome of either gender trying to change something (or a lot of things) about their partner (or even their friend). These attitudes and behaviors show a lack of respect. Deep down, the spouse who’s acting this … Continue reading
Beyond The Stale Platitudes About Love and Marriage (Part I)
I hear it every day: ‘A good marriage requires hard work and compromise.’ ‘The secret of our relationship is’sacrifice.’ Blah, blah. Well, I have a different take on the subject. It’s not that I’m against compromise altogether. Life as a … Continue reading
“Help! I’m Bipolar and I Can’t Stop Myself!”
Q: Your post in a recent Daily Dose of Reason (8/31/11 “Bipolar: Valid Label or Excuse?”) is spot on. I have a brother who was diagnosed with this so-called “bipolar disorder.” My father had a massive heart attack last November. … Continue reading
Bipolar: Valid Label or Excuse?
Q: A relative of mine, a young woman of 19, has been diagnosed with ‘bipolar disorder.’ Is this a valid diagnostic label or simply another excuse? [Note: ‘Bipolar Disorder’ is the psychiatric term for mood instability, characterized by vacillations between … Continue reading
Arrogance and Modesty
Q: Is arrogance the opposite of modesty? A: First, we have to define “arrogance.” Merriam-Webster dictionary defines arrogance as, “an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.” The definition I prefer is: Arrogance … Continue reading
Divorce and Friends
Q: Dear Dr. Hurd, I am going through a difficult divorce. It’s not about money, and we have no kids. It’s about friends. Many of our friends are shunning one or the other of us, with no reason or explanation. … Continue reading