In July 1974, TIME® Magazine asked a group of businessmen, historians, military men, and writers one question: Who were history’s greatest leaders? Among the elite listed were emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius, Winston Churchill, George Washington, Jesus, Martin Luther King, Buddha, and Gandhi. What made these men great leaders, according to those asked, were qualities […]

Psychology isn’t always about the negative side of human nature. Case in point: Our study on sexual attitudes. Thanks to the sexual revolution in the 60’s, sex has become a less taboo topic, but one can’t help but look back at sex-related scandals that would barely make a blip these days. For example, Cleopatra and […]

Polls always fascinate me. Not the political-type ones but the quirkier ones. You never know how weird you are or where you stand in this kooky world unless you know where other people are. Nothing is more comforting than being able to say “Well at least I’m not as much of a loser as that […]

I remember a reality show from years ago where couples whose marriage was in trouble were sent to a deserted island with other troubled couples. And not just any couples. We’re talking model-esque goddesses and chiseled Greek gods in their barely-there bathing suits complaining about how their partner “just doesn’t get me anymore.” So hey […]

In an earlier post, I talked about self-monitoring and the potential awkwardness (and ugliness) of verbal diarrhea. Think of someone who pretty much says whatever comes to mind, and makes you wish you can tear a hole in the time-space continuum and crawl in. I’ll give you a few examples that I’ve had the jaw-dropping […]

It starts small. Little insults and jabs that people tell themselves that seem harmless and even laughable at first. Like these beauties I told myself in the last 24 hours “I’m such a loser – I forgot my cell at home” – only to find it in the car, stuck between the seat and cup […]

My tendency to listen more than talk has allowed me to be privy to a lot of conversations going on around me. I have this amazing ability to make it look like I’m not listening. Poring over a book. Making it seem like something really interesting is going on with my phone. Staring out the […]

I don’t mind talkative people. As long as someone is filling in the empty spaces of silence, I’m perfectly content sitting back and letting the person prattle on. My only pet peeve is when said prattler doesn’t listen when I speak, and mistakes my moving lips for an optical illusion combining light and my shiny […]

From musicians and athletes to Nobel Peace Prize winners, business moguls and presidents, every professional is criticized about their work and their performance – and most will agree that they are better for it. Even the critics or critiques that we truly hate push us to defy them by being even better than what they […]

I’m sorry. I love alliterations. The theory on the benefits of positive thinking has been labeled as “pop” psychology or new-age hokum. I would consider myself a cautious optimist; I’ll smile when I’m having a good day but wonder if I’m tempting fate (Fate: “Did you see her smile? That’s it. Make her break a […]

I’d consider myself more of an altruist. I love Eggos, not egos. I can’t help but be selfish sometimes, though. In my head, of course. “Sure, you can have the last slice of pizza.” I hope you drop the toppings on the floor. Or all over your shirt. Yeah. Much better. “Sure, I’ll go halfsies […]

I was flipping through the channels when I came across a reality TV commercial with some woman yelling at what looked like a group of 5-year-olds…something about how they’ll never become famous if they don’t get the dance steps right. Camera pans to mothers of said 5-year-olds who grimace but do nothing besides recite a […]