by jmalouff | Apr 29, 2022 | Coping, Human Thinking and Behavior, Social psychology
Do you compare yourself with others? Most of us do. We compare ourselves to individuals who are better than us — and to people who are worse. We compare ourselves day in and day out. For instance, I compare myself with a colleague on recent number...
by jmalouff | Dec 2, 2021 | Coping, Mental health problems, Social Support
I recently read that Australian swimming great Stephanie Rice felt depressed and irrelevant when she stepped away from competitive swimming. The sense of loss can be daunting for star athletes who retire from their sport. The question they face is: What do I do...
by jmalouff | Oct 29, 2020 | Bereavement and Grief, Coping, Mental health problems
When I was a PhD student, a therapy instructor did something that I will never forget. First, she told us students that she had decided not to have a second child. Then she talked out loud as if she were speaking to that never-to-be child. The instructor explained her...
by jmalouff | Jun 4, 2020 | Coping, Emotions, Social Support
Let’s do word association. If I say “betrayal,” what comes to your mind? Some people would say Judas. According to the Bible, he betrays Jesus for 30 silver coins. One of the my friends responded instead with the brothers of Joseph in the Bible. The brothers sold...
by jmalouff | Jun 4, 2020 | Coping, Emotions, Human Thinking and Behavior, Social psychology
I read that actor Rose McGowan said she was deeply offended by the dress another actor, Natalie Portman, wore to the Academy Awards ceremony. I will spare you the details of what offended McGowan. I am more interested in the frequency with which people nowadays are...
by jmalouff | Jan 17, 2020 | Coping, Problem solving, Social psychology, Social Support, Well-Being
Did you ever read a “choose-your-own-adventure” book? Some genius started that genre long ago. I read some of these books with my son when he was young. Typically, you choose a course of behavior in a specific, dangerous situation. Then you read what the...