Substance use disorders describe a specific set of disorders—including the abuse of alcohol, opioids, sedatives, hypnotics, and anxiolytics—which impair the individual in some way. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5), “The essential feature of a substance use disorder is a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the […]
To ask—“What do humans and animals have in common on a psychological level?”—remains open to debate, controversy, and opens up decades of research in psychology and the biological sciences alike. So, there isn’t an easy answer. That said, however, over the years researchers have found a general understanding of the extent to which animals possess […]
The idea of love and the feelings it generates has been the subject of art, literature, philosophy, and psychological research for decades. True, some may argue that something as ambiguous and seemingly ethereal as love cannot be the subject of scientific inquiry. That said, however, love has been investigated and considered as a serious research […]
What would you do if you someone presented something sweet—a cookie, donut, or a marshmallow—in front of you, and told you that you have a choice: You can eat the treat immediately, or, if you wait, you can have two of those items later? What I have just described is the famous “Marshmallow Test”—a rather […]
At times—mostly within the context of a classroom—I shrug my shoulders and roll my eyes at the suggestion from a teacher or professor that it’s now time to “pair up” or get into a group for some classroom activity. And although working in groups occurs at work and sometimes maybe even at home, the idea […]
As children, we tend to be fearful of almost everything. Different sensations, sounds, strangers, fear of abandonment, manmade and natural objects can all induce panics or phobias. But as we age, some of those old fears may stay with us. Moreover, we may even develop new fears, which can manifest for years unless properly treated […]
There are many times in life when we may be called upon to rise above adverse circumstances, to overcome challenges, or to keep moving forward—even if we may not have the inner strength to do so. This ability to find strength in tough times goes by many names. In the psychological literature, it may be […]
In his recent book, “The Wisdom of Frugality,” author Emerys Westacott explores the history of philosophers and their motivations for living a simpler, more frugal lifestyle. In addition, Westcott dives into the psychological underpinnings that may lie behind those decisions. In the current era of “conspicuous consumption”—a phrase made famous by American sociologist Thornstein Veblen—we […]
Over the last decade, the rise of social media has been fast and complete. There have been many positive aspects about the role of social media, such as its use in political community organization (e.g., the Arab Spring of 2011) and the ability of users to stay connected to friends and family. That said, however, some […]
Many Americans suffer from lack of sleep, broken sleep or other sleep related issues. Technology and our 24/7 world has, as it turns out, may contribute to difficulties getting a good night’s rest. In fact, recent research indicates a link between lack of sleep and symptoms of depression and anxiety. With restful sleep under threat, what […]