In general, “powerful people tend to overestimate their abilities, take greater risks, think in terms of stereotypes, and ignore outside viewpoints more often than people who see themselves as less powerful” (p.54). These traits, whether in politics or business, tend to become more pronounced as a person grows in power, although many factors, including gender and personality, mitigate the effects of power and help to determine how opportunistic a leader will become. (Schaarschmidt, T. Power moves. Scientific American Mind, 2017, 28(3), 50-55. http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Wit
10 JulPoet Anne Carson: Not knowing what one is doing is no prohibition on doing it. http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Communication
2 JulIf you want to ask a favor, ask in person. Studies suggest that people respond to person-to-person requests much more frequently than e-mail requests. (Hutson, M. Ask in person. Scientific American Mind, 2017, 28(3), p. 17) http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Parenting
21 JunChoosing to tell the truth even when there might be punishment is the result of both development and parenting. Parenting that rewards honesty, even though there may also be some punishment, contributes to good moral development.(Russo, F. Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Scientific American Mind, 2017, 28(3), p. 16) http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Humor
18 JunEdith Wharton: If you make up your mind not to be happy there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a fairly good time. http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
How To
14 JunIf you are feeling overwhelmed by the news,
1) Learn how big a dose you can take without becoming emotionally charged.
2) Read beyond the headlines to get a fuller understanding.
3) Fact-check by comparing story lines.
4) Look at different news sources for different perspectives.
(Gold, S. S. How to be a better news consumer. Scientific American Mind, 2017, 28(3), p. 14) http://www.finebergpsychotherapy .com
Wisdom
7 JunMichel de Montaigne: The reverse of truth has a thousand shapes and a boundless field. http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Personality
3 JunResearchers in the UK did a longitudinal study on 174 subjects measured first at age 14 and then at age 77. They were rated on six personality characteristics related to dependability. At age 14, they were rated by teachers; at age 77, they rated themselves and were rated by a close relative or friend. The ratings at 14 and 77 showed no relationship. The study had many flaws, like the different raters, but, nevertheless, called into question the stability of dependability over time. (Mayer, M. W. Once dependable, always dependable? Scientific American Mind, 2017, 28(3), p. 10) http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Wisdom
30 MayWilliam Shakespeare: Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt. http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
Humor
27 MayThere is a fear of being laughed at. For those who have this phobia, all laughter is suspect. It is probably treatable, but “the bad news is it might be hard to convince someone who dreads laughter to visit a therapist who might smile at patients to put them at ease” (p.9)(Zaraska, M. No laughing matter. Scientific American Mind, 2017, 28(3), 9) http://www.finebergpsychotherapy.com
finebergpsychotherapy 