Joy and Pain

Heuristics

A Simple Way to Excuse Embarrassing Behavior

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on June 15, 2024

There is probably no more simple and powerful way to excuse an unflattering behavior than to suggest its commonness.

There is probably no more simple and powerful way to excuse an unflattering behavior than to suggest its commonness.

Bias

One Way to Avoid the Confirmation Bias

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on May 23, 2024

Take the advice of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Robert Lefkowitz: Commit to testing alternative narratives to explain the facts.

Take the advice of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Robert Lefkowitz: Commit to testing alternative narratives to explain the facts.

Schadenfreude

The Thrill and Agony of March Madness

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on April 3, 2024

Are there many better feelings than when your team wins and a rival team loses? Are there many worse feelings than when your team loses and a rival team wins?

Are there many better feelings than when your team wins and a rival team loses? Are there many worse feelings than when your team loses and a rival team wins?

Stress

Luck in War and the Sorrows of What Might Have Been

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on February 20, 2024

If you had any doubts about the frequent role of luck in deciding life and death in war, read James Keresey's sobering memoir of his experiences as a PT boat captain in WW II.

If you had any doubts about the frequent role of luck in deciding life and death in war, read James Keresey's sobering memoir of his experiences as a PT boat captain in WW II.

Shyness

Reciprocity Can Save Your Life

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on April 13, 2022

An amazing story told by novelist Fredrick Forsyth shows how helping others selflessly can redound, sometimes with unexpected, life-saving benefits.

An amazing story told by novelist Fredrick Forsyth shows how helping others selflessly can redound, sometimes with unexpected, life-saving benefits.

Forgiveness

When Someone Treats You Badly: Are You the Cause?

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on February 26, 2022

There is a often simple but effective way to solve the attributional problem of why someone has behaved toward you in an unexpectedly negative way.

There is a often simple but effective way to solve the attributional problem of why someone has behaved toward you in an unexpectedly negative way.

Jealousy

Even Robert Oppenheimer Felt Envy

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on January 31, 2022

One might assume that the most talented and accomplished people are immune to envy. The experience of Robert Oppenheimer suggests otherwise.

One might assume that the most talented and accomplished people are immune to envy. The experience of Robert Oppenheimer suggests otherwise.

Play

How Stereotyping Easily Permeates the Way We Think About Others

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on October 15, 2021

It is hard to avoid using stereotypes when meeting new people. Confronting subtle but disturbing examples of this tendency can help.

It is hard to avoid using stereotypes when meeting new people. Confronting subtle but disturbing examples of this tendency can help.

Heuristics

How to Avoid the Fundamental Attribution Error

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on September 10, 2021

It's easy to blame people for their negative behaviors using personality attributions. Maybe this example will help prevent the tendency from being quite so automatic.

It's easy to blame people for their negative behaviors using personality attributions. Maybe this example will help prevent the tendency from being quite so automatic.

Gratitude

The Bearable Silence of Gratitude

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on September 3, 2020

We are unaware of many of the positive effects we have on others. This is the way of the world. Don't let this stop you from being a positive influence.

We are unaware of many of the positive effects we have on others. This is the way of the world. Don't let this stop you from being a positive influence.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Schadenfreude and Gluckschmerz in the Time of COVID-19

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on August 8, 2020

The political season and COVID-19 encourage counter-empathic emotions. Only when we come together as Americans might this change.

The political season and COVID-19 encourage counter-empathic emotions. Only when we come together as Americans might this change.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Just When We Thought It Was Safe to Go Back into the Water

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on July 19, 2020

The parallels between the movie Jaws and how the United States has managed the coronavirus are extraordinary. We would do well to watch it again and use it as a cautionary tale.

The parallels between the movie Jaws and how the United States has managed the coronavirus are extraordinary. We would do well to watch it again and use it as a cautionary tale.

Schadenfreude

A Hurricane, a Tweet, and Schadenfreude

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on September 5, 2019

The emotions we express and not necessarily those we feel, schadenfreude creates strain between expression and actuality, especially when tribal conflict arises.

The emotions we express and not necessarily those we feel, schadenfreude creates strain between expression and actuality, especially when tribal conflict arises.

Jealousy

Why Do We Feel Envy?

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on November 3, 2018

There's no getting rid of envy—but that may be a good thing. Envy has an adaptive role to play in our lives.

There's no getting rid of envy—but that may be a good thing. Envy has an adaptive role to play in our lives.

Addiction

Turning the Other Cheek with a Baseball

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on September 23, 2018

Someone has to be the first to turn the other cheek. Sometimes, the effects are welcome and long-lasting.

Someone has to be the first to turn the other cheek. Sometimes, the effects are welcome and long-lasting.

Jealousy

The Singular Nature of Malicious Envy

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on August 26, 2018

There is something uniquely destructive about malicious envy as it trends toward the ruin of both the envier and envied.

There is something uniquely destructive about malicious envy as it trends toward the ruin of both the envier and envied.

Motivation

The Dispositional Schadenfreude of Mao Tse-tung

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on July 16, 2018

Selfish, intensely ambitious people will feel keen, guilt-free schadenfreude as they see competitors suffer.

Selfish, intensely ambitious people will feel keen, guilt-free schadenfreude as they see competitors suffer.

Social Life

Tricked by the Trappings of Authority?

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on June 14, 2018

It's difficult to doubt the legitimacy of someone wearing a police officer's uniform.

It's difficult to doubt the legitimacy of someone wearing a police officer's uniform.

Narcissism

Hoodwinked by a Narcissist

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on May 9, 2018

Narcissists present themselves well when we first meet them. When this first impression clashes with their later behavior, this should create a special form of loathing.

Narcissists present themselves well when we first meet them. When this first impression clashes with their later behavior, this should create a special form of loathing.

Punishment

Jackie Robinson and a Revenge Best Served Cold

Richard H. Smith Ph.D. on April 3, 2018

Revenge may be most pleasing when we can plan dispassionately the most fitting way of retaliating. An example is Jackie Robinson's revenge on Enos Slaughter.

Revenge may be most pleasing when we can plan dispassionately the most fitting way of retaliating. An example is Jackie Robinson's revenge on Enos Slaughter.