Description: Have you noticed that there appears to be a correlation between the involvement of citizens in what might be thought of as fringe political perspectives and a belief that there are powerful secret and dark forces conspiring to manipulate how the political and economic world functions? Think for a moment about what holding a… Read more »
Posts By: Mike Boyes
Does Leadership + Humility = Success Make Sence?
Description: What does it take to be a great leader? No, really, think about that question for a minute. Are great leaders visionaries who have figured out how to do something better than other people? Are great leaders people who can get other people to buy in and follow their vision? Now if you answered… Read more »
Pets and Seniors’ Wellness: Are they Causally Related?
Description: I suspect you’ve probably heard that having pets is good for us. You probably have also heard the pets are particularly beneficial for seniors. However, how much do you know about how those benefits actually play out? That is, what does research tell us about the benefits that pets provide to seniors? Think a… Read more »
Despite the Consequences of Curiosity for Cats, Embrace It!
Description: I cannot say I understand exactly why curiosity killed the cat; cats have always struck me as cautious but inquisitive explorers (though apparently a cat named Blackie had a run-in with a chimney back in 1916 that was the death of him). Is curiosity, or when is curiosity, a good thing? Perhaps almost always…. Read more »
Increasing Complex Cases for Genetic Counselors
Description: Read the title of the article referenced under the picture below that the link further down will take you to. How would you answer that question (and yes, I realize you likely want more information before responding)? When I talk in class about genetic testing and pre-natal screening, I point out that with the… Read more »
Two Types of Schizophrenia: A Matter of Grey Matter
Description: Think about this statement. We have drugs that can treat the symptoms of schizophrenia for many who struggle with it and that means that we have figured out what causes schizophrenia or at least how it works on the brain. Is this true? Is it a little bit true? What do you think? The… Read more »
The Psychology of Risk Assessment: The Case of the Coronavirus
Description: Consider this question; Is the coronavirus more or less dangerous that the flu (influenza)? Now, think about how you answered that question. Do you actually know how dangerous the flu and the coronavirus are? What their death rates are for those that contract them? Or did you come up with your answer based on… Read more »
Psychologists as Expert Witnesses: Ethics = Reliability + Validity
Description: What do Psychologists do in courtroom when they serve as expert witnesses? This is a huge and complicated topic so let’s focus in a bit. If a Psychologist has been asked by the court to assess an accused individual and if they use a measure or two in order to develop their opinion of… Read more »
Want Better Habits? Psychology Says Start SMALL
Description: What do you want to change about your life, about your habits, about your day-to-day behavior? If you are completely happy with how things are going for you and about how you are living your life then good for you, go find something else to read! If there are a few things you would… Read more »
Social Media and Smart Phone Use: We Need a LOT More Research
Description: I have posted previously on research related to the question of the impacts of social media and smartphone use on adolescent and emerging adult wellbeing. While some of the findings seem quite dire and while there is no debate about the increasing levels of anxiety and stress among emerging adults in recent years the… Read more »
Books for Success!
