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The Self is Not a Private Project: The Hidden Cost of Self-Focus

Simon Moesgaard — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:12:44 +0000

Modern psychology sometimes treats the individual mind as if it exists in a vacuum. Thoughts are analysed in isolation. Emotions are framed as personal deficits. Distress becomes something happening inside the person. But this view is historically naïve. Philip Cushman’s classic article Why the Self Is Empty (1990) reminds us of something uncomfortable: the way […]

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How to Give the Best Gifts, According to Psychological Research

Simon Moesgaard — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 21:16:11 +0000

What should you look for when buying a gift? This article tries to answer that question. A new paper, based on a survey of existing research, suggests that some gifts are great to give but not to receive. Scroll down and learn more from the infographic. The authors state that when we buy gifts, we are likely to focus […]

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Don’t Fear Responsibility Because ‘With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility’

Simon Moesgaard — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 15:11:07 +0000

When we hold others responsible, we expect something from, and in order to expect something from others, we must trust and believe in them. We have to believe that they are capable of doing what we expect. I think we expect something from others for one obvious reason in particular. That is, we ultimately depend on […]

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Social Effectiveness Therapy Beats Social Anxiety, Study Shows

Simon Moesgaard — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 18:01:19 +0000

At some point in our lives, we all experience symptoms of anxiety. Public speaking or other unfamiliar situations can provoke natural feelings of anxiety. When these natural feelings turn into excessive anxiety and worry, they might be classified as an anxiety disorder. In DSM-5, social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is defined as a pronounced and persistent fear of scrutiny […]

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How Your Social Network Influences Your Romantic Relationship

Simon Moesgaard — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:04:36 +0000

We care about what others think of us, and our romantic relationships, too. The support we receive from our social networks, such as family and friends, influences the quality of our relationships. Studies have shown that people are more satisfied with their relationships, and they experience more stable relationships (fewer breakups), when their social network approves or […]

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Who Win The Promiscuity Battle — Men or Women?

Simon Moesgaard — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:41:21 +0000

This topic has received much attention over the years, and we all have our assumptions about it, but what does psychological research tell us about gender differences in promiscuity? Clark and Hatfield (1989) reported the results of a number of experiments that were conducted in 1978 and 1982. The studies’ procedures were as follows: Male and female […]

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Do Males and Females Really Communicate in Different Ways?

Simon Moesgaard — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 18:39:35 +0000

Why do men and women sometimes find it so difficult to communicate? Do they communicate differently, or is that just a stereotype? Research has shown that males and females are very likely to communicate with same-sex peers. Same-sex playmate preferences have even been observed in preschool children (Maccoby, 1990). A study by Maccoby & Jacklin (1987) found that […]

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Humor Connects People: The Laughing and Liking Principle

Simon Moesgaard — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Humor and laughter are prevalent in most people’s daily lives. According to Treger and colleagues (2013), some estimates suggest that we laugh an average of 18 times a day, often in the presence of others. One of the most fundamental human motivations is to form bonds with others. Consequently, humor may be one of many […]

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Can Evolution Explain Why Women Become Attracted by Some Men Over Others?

Simon Moesgaard — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 19:25:00 +0000

Why is it that women prefer some men over others? I guess that many people, especially men, want to know this. In this article, I sum up the evolutionary theory of sexual selection, and in this context, I consider the findings of recent psychological research. So, can evolution explain mate preferences? Read on. Evolutionary theory of sexual selection Charles […]

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A Study of 65,000 Participants Shows How People are Attachted to Their Partners

Simon Moesgaard — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:58:00 +0000

A study by Mickelson and colleagues (1997) examined 65,000 participants and their attachment styles, with an equal distribution of men and women. They wanted to examine the way in which people are attached to their partners. Sample characteristics: 60% of the participants were married, 10% were living together, 30% were singles at the time the […]

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