Archive for February, 2011

When I was a boy, my older brothers called me Babe. The names they and their high school pals had for each other and their pals were more negative — these included Lard and The Nose. When I reached high school a friend started calling me Snowgoose (for no specific reason). The name stuck, and all the star athletes in the school, who were older than me, started saying hello to me just so they could say my nickname. A nickname made me popular!  One boy I knew was tagged with the nickname “Grandma.” Many years later he told me that the nickname damaged his self-esteem. That seems obvious to me now as a psychologist (labels can be important!), but it never occurred to me at the time. In recent years I have handed out some positive nicknames, e.g., Magic and Star. I even gave myself a nickname, JJ (for Jaunty John).

What nicknames have you had?  What effects did they have?  Have you given someone a positive nickname?

John Malouff, PhD, JD, Associate Professor of Professor

My recent posting on using mistakes as learning opportunities is consistent with positive thinking. Some individuals habitually look on the bright side of events. I am usually in that category. Other individuals tend to look on the dark side, often with the result of experiencing strong negative emotions, according to research findings. Which way do you usually go? You can test yourself by deciding to what extent you agree with this statement by Edmund Burke: “He who wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.” If you agree, count yourself a positive thinker.

Have you shown yourself to be a positive thinker in other ways? Does thinking positively help you keep a positive mood?

John Malouff, PhD, JD
Associate Professor of Psychology

Did you ever make a big mistake? I just finished an excellent 2010 bio of George Washington. I have also read bios of Hunter Thompson, John Nash (A Beautiful Mind), Einstein, Newton, etc. One thing that I have noticed is that great individuals sometimes make great mistakes. The most productive individuals treat important errors as learning opportunities. One error I have made is not advising a client against suddenly discontinuing a psychiatric drug. After seeing the consequences of that mistake, sometimes including an outpatient client being hospitalized, I now know better. Who else has learned something important about dealing with others from a big mistake?

John Malouff
Associate Professor of Psychology