We hear of and read about “empathy” everywhere. It’s gone beyond the discussions by researchers and psychologists into the boardrooms of… — We hear of and read about “empathy” everywhere. It’s gone beyond the discussions by researchers and psychologists into the boardrooms of business and schools and politics. And we’ve seen ample examples of empathy expressed from Ukraine to COVID and climate change tragedies.

Is Your Personality Unchangeable for a Lifetime? — Is Your Personality Unchangeable for a Lifetime? After decades of research psychologists have a fairly good understanding of the psychological component that remains with us from one situation to another — otherwise known as our personality. At the very broadest level who we are is made up of five personality dimensions, known as “The Big Five” —…

While the average person is happier with a large circle of friends, a research study reveals those with higher IQs are better off with a… — While the average person is happier with a large circle of friends, a research study reveals those with higher IQs are better off with a smaller circle. Evolutionary psychologists Satoshi Kanazawa of the London School of Economics and Norman Li of Singapore Management University are the authors of this intriguing…

The following in an excerpt from my book, I Know Myself and Neither Do You, an examination of the importance of self-awareness for leaders. — The following in an excerpt from my book, I Know Myself and Neither Do You, an examination of the importance of self-awareness for leaders. “We do not serve the healthy development of young people when we convey that self-esteem may be achieved by reciting ‘I am special’ every day, or…

We all love our smartphones, don’t we? We can check the weather, video, make appointments, read the news, or talk to someone in our beds… — We all love our smartphones, don’t we? We can check the weather, video, make appointments, read the news, or talk to someone in our beds or the bathroom, in fact almost anywhere. You may be reading this article on your phone. Our smartphones enable — and encourage — constant connection…

The spread of misinformation over recent years poses huge dangers, and has so far proven extremely difficult to bring under control… — The spread of misinformation over recent years poses huge dangers, and has so far proven extremely difficult to bring under control. Psychological research has revealed much of what brings people to believe false information, but the full picture is still far from complete, and new findings are bringing to light…

In Western culture, we tend to emphasize and be rewarded for being vocal about our accomplishments and success. We also tend to present… — In Western culture, we tend to emphasize and be rewarded for being vocal about our accomplishments and success. We also tend to present our ideal self (guilty!) on social media and social relationships. This may be particularly a problem for young people where the exposure is greatest on YouTube and…

It’s a natural inclination to research, think about and speculate about what will happen in the future. This may be linked to our aversion… — It’s a natural inclination to research, think about and speculate about what will happen in the future. This may be linked to our aversion to uncertainty. Science can help us by providing data to forecast significant events — for example in disease or climate change.

Have you ever been conscious of the absolute silence around you? — Have you ever been conscious of the absolute silence around you? If you said “no” that’s common for most of us. We can almost always hear something 24/7: A siren, the hum of a fan, or background conversations, the ticking of a clock, traffic on the street, or deafening noise…