Self and Identity: Actor, Agent, and Author
The I may encounter the Me as (a) a social actor, (b) a motivated agent, or (c) an autobiographical author. Introduction For human beings, the self is what happens when…
Looking for Transformative Travel? Keep These Six Stages in Mind
COVID-19 has intensified wanderlust – but also the need for mindful, ethical travel. By Dr. Jaco J. HammanProfessor of Religion, Psychology and CultureVanderbilt University Introduction An updated version of this article was published…
Happiness: The Science of Subjective Well-Being
Happiness influences the way people behave, as well as their physiological states. Introduction When people describe what they most want out of life, happiness is almost always on the list,…
Why Mister Rogers’ Message of Love and Kindness is Good for Your Health
Rogers’ emphasis on kindness and love is proving to be very important to good health. By Dr. Richard GundermanChancellor’s Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and PhilanthropyIndiana University Introduction The release of the Mister Rogers documentary, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” calls…
Intellectual Humility Means Being Open to New Information
Intellectual humility includes owning your own biases and the possibility that you’re wrong about your beliefs or worldview. By Dr. Daryl Van TongerenAssociate Professor of PsychologyHope College Introduction Mark Twain apocryphally said, “I’m in favor of progress; it’s change I don’t…
Exploring the Positive Psychology Movement
Considering interventions for increasing gratitude, developing forgiveness, and becoming more humble. Introduction Positive psychology is a popular movement that began in the late 1990’s. It is the branch of psychology that…
The Science Behind Why Good Things Really Do Happen To People Who Wait
Religions and philosophers have long praised the virtue of patience; now researchers are starting to do so as well. By Kira M. NewmanManaging editor at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center…
What Star Wars Taught Me About Being a Mindful Parent
After years reporting on the science of mindfulness, I now realize that the practice of moment-to-moment, nonjudgmental awareness darts in and out of the series. By Jeremy Adam SmithEditor of…
Meditation and Mindfulness Offer an Abundance of Health Benefits
Mindfulness, one of the most common forms of meditation, is a skill that must be cultivated and practiced. By Dr. Hilary A. MarusakAssistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral NeurosciencesWayne State University Introduction Many people look to diet trends or…
Awareness and Regulation: Components of Mindfulness Meditation
Four components of mindfulness meditation have been proposed to describe much of the mechanism of action. Introduction Mindfulness has been defined in modern psychological terms as “paying attention to relevant aspects…
