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Alain de Botton and the School of Life
The School of Life, co-founded by philosopher Alain de Botton in 2008, offers a somewhat derivative, but sincere perspective on relationships, blending psychological insights with philosophical thought.
The institution is dedicated to providing tools and guidance to help folks navigate the complexities of emotional well-being, relationships, and self-knowledge.
What Does A Post-Trump MAGA Look Like?
To explore how the MAGA movement (Make America Great Again) might evolve, we can draw on historical patterns of populist movements, psychological theories of group dynamics, and current political and cultural shifts.
In this post, I’ll speculate on how MAGA might change or adapt in the years ahead, perhaps even productively.
Can Your Personality Predict Depression Across Your Lifespan?
Depression, a leading cause of disability worldwide, affects millions of people across every stage of life.
Despite its complex causes, research shows that personality traits can significantly predict the onset and course of depression. How does your personality—whether you’re more neurotic, introverted, or conscientious—shape your mental health as you age?
A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders dives deep into how certain personality traits play a role in predicting depression across the lifespan, offering insight into one of the most pressing mental health challenges today.
Why Do Some Men Hate Independent Women?
In contemporary society, the concept of the independent woman has become a lightning rod in gender politics.
While many celebrate the progress women have made in attaining autonomy and success, a notable faction of men expresses resentment, even hostility, toward this empowerment.
Why do some men hate independent women?
The answer lies in a complex interplay of cultural narcissism, gender politics, and movements such as MAGA (Make America Great Again).
This post will examine why independence in women is often met with disdain, using social science research to understand these attitudes while also exploring how cultural dynamics fuel this backlash.
Are You Being Gaslit? This New Tool Helps You Spot Manipulative Behaviors in Relationships
Gaslighting—once an unfamiliar psychological term—has become widely recognized as one of the most damaging forms of emotional manipulation in relationships. But how do you know if it’s happening to you?
A groundbreaking new tool, the Gaslighting Relationship Exposure Inventory (GREI), has been developed to help folks assess whether they're experiencing gaslighting behaviors in their romantic relationships.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the GREI is the first scientifically validated tool that reliably measures gaslighting behaviors.
The Complex Relationship Between ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety: How Excessive Mind Wandering Plays a Role
Living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can feel like a continuous struggle—focusing on tasks, staying organized, and managing time can be difficult, but it’s the mental restlessness that many find most challenging.
While we often think of ADHD as a condition that affects focus and behavior, recent research shows that its emotional impact can be just as profound.
A new study published in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy reveals that excessive mind wandering, rumination, and reduced mindfulness may mediate the relationship between ADHD and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The Lasting Health Impacts of Infidelity: How Betrayal Can Affect Your Body and Mind
Infidelity can feel like a gut-wrenching betrayal, leaving deep emotional scars that can take years to heal. While the psychological effects—such as anxiety, depression, and loss of self-esteem—are well-documented, new research reveals that the pain of being cheated on might go even deeper, extending to chronic health issues.
According to a study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, the consequences of infidelity can linger long after the relationship ends, potentially leading to lasting health problems that persist even when folks move on to supportive partnerships.
Textbook Narcissism and Donald Trump's Narcissistic Collapse
When we discuss someone like Donald Trump through the lens of "textbook narcissism," we’re referring to a set of well-documented patterns that shape how folks with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) react to stress, failure, or challenges to their grandiose self-image.
One of the most dramatic consequences of these challenges is what's called narcissistic collapse—a state where the individual's usual defenses begin to unravel, leaving them emotionally exposed and vulnerable. This is a moment of reckoning, both for the person themselves and for those observing them.
For Donald Trump, as the external pressures mount—whether through legal battles, political losses, or shifts in public opinion—his likely arc of behavior for the rest of the year might follow certain key psychological patterns.
These behaviors are grounded in well-established social science research on narcissism and personality disorders, and they provide us with a deeper understanding of how someone in his position might respond to a world that feels increasingly hostile.
How to Spot a Toxic Male Partner: Red Flags, Power Plays, and Relationship Wreckers
Toxic male behaviors in relationships can often be masked by societal norms that glorify dominance and emotional suppression in men.
In many cultures, especially in America, traditional ideas of masculinity can pressure men to act in ways that are harmful to their partners and relationships. These behaviors, though sometimes subtle, have far-reaching emotional consequences.
By recognizing and understanding the warning signs of toxic male behavior, we can better protect emotional well-being and foster healthier relationship dynamics.
How to Spot a Toxic Female Partner: Red Flags, Power Plays, and Relationship Wreckers
Navigating relationships can feel like walking through a minefield when you’re dealing with a toxic partner. Toxic behaviors often creep in slowly, disguised as love, care, or concern.
But beneath the surface, they erode trust, respect, and emotional safety. If you’ve ever found yourself constantly doubting your own actions, feeling manipulated, or wondering why your relationship feels like an emotional rollercoaster, you might be dealing with a toxic dynamic.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the red flags that often indicate toxicity, using a mix of humor, real-life examples, and research-backed insights to help you spot the warning signs before they wreak havoc on your emotional well-being.
Sam Harris and his Ideas on Science and Secular Spirituality, and Their Application in Therapy
Sam Harris is well-known thought leader, known for his exploration of consciousness, free will, and secular spirituality offers fertile ground for marriage and family therapy.
By drawing on his ideas, therapists can blend secular, neuroscience-informed practices with the spiritual longing that many clients bring into therapy, particularly in their intimate relationships.
Through a blend of mindfulness, ego dissolution, and insights into the limits of free will, Harris invites us to reconsider how we view human behavior and relationships.
These ideas are supported by a growing body of research in psychology and neuroscience that illuminates the importance of mindfulness, unconscious processes, and trauma recovery in relational well-being.
The Role of Extended Family: Support Systems Beyond the Nuclear Family
Nowadays, the importance of extended family in a child’s emotional development is often overlooked. While the nuclear family (parents and children) typically receives the most attention in conversations about child-rearing, extended family members—grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—play an equally crucial role.
Their involvement provides additional layers of emotional support, different relationship models, and a safety net when things get tough within the immediate family.
Extended family can offer children emotional resources that supplement those provided by their parents. In many cases, they act as buffers or emotional safety valves when the nuclear family dynamics are strained.