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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Q: Mommy, why is it wrong to be selfish and right to always share? Wrong answer: Because it’s not nice. You should care for other people and be sensitive to their needs. Right answer: It’s best to ignore the word … Continue reading