by jmalouff | Jan 12, 2023 | Human Thinking and Behavior, Positive psychology
I am re-reading “Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It is widely considered one of the best essays ever written. I saw in the essay this famous expression: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” Emerson argues that...
by jmalouff | Aug 15, 2022 | Human Thinking and Behavior, Positive psychology
The Rolling Stones had a hit with the song “Sympathy for the Devil.” You can listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwtyn-L-2gQ&ab_channel=ABKCOVEVO The idea was stunning: Having sympathy for the devil. I know that some people worship the devil,...
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 | Feb 22, 2022 | Human Thinking and Behavior, Work
I went to see my GP recently. I had a book, Wolf Hall, in my hand, and he told me he had read it and its sequel. He added that he disliked them both. I must have shown puzzlement, so he explained that he never stopped reading a book he had started. His...
by jmalouff | Jan 27, 2022 | Human Thinking and Behavior
Do you attend meetings that start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land and by paying respects to Indigenous elders? I wonder what leads a group of non-Indigenous individuals to publicly show respect to the historic custodians of the...
by jmalouff | Jan 17, 2022 | Human Thinking and Behavior
How tough are you? I have been watching Alone Sweden on SBS in Australia. Eight individuals are placed alone at lake edge in a Norwegian forest as winter approaches. They have a backpack of supplies each. Their task: Stay and suffer longer than the...