Comparatively Speaking

Leadership

Are Leaders Really That Important? Probably Not

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on June 24, 2020

Keeping in mind what it really means to be a "leader" can help us understand better the importance of every individual.

Keeping in mind what it really means to be a "leader" can help us understand better the importance of every individual.

Friends

We Are Meant to Spend Time Alone

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on June 6, 2020

We are all spending more time alone. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Considering social worlds across different (human and nonhuman) species, clearly the answer is "no."

We are all spending more time alone. Is that necessarily a bad thing? Considering social worlds across different (human and nonhuman) species, clearly the answer is "no."

Is spending a lot of time by yourself such a bad thing? Not necessarily. Just ask a bear.

Animal Behavior

Insights on How Animal and Human Psychology Relate

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on December 30, 2019

Understanding animal psychology offers insight into human psychology. This is the field of "comparative psychology" and it is under-appreciated.

Understanding animal psychology offers insight into human psychology. This is the field of "comparative psychology" and it is under-appreciated.

Cognition

How Animal Language Helps Us More Than Political Language

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on December 28, 2019

Language often connects to negative emotions. Politicians use language to stir emotions, and animals use language to solve problems. Recognizing the difference can be helpful.

Language often connects to negative emotions. Politicians use language to stir emotions, and animals use language to solve problems. Recognizing the difference can be helpful.

Environment

Filtering Out the Irrelevant Garbage

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on November 6, 2019

Much or what overwhelms us is not good or bad; it is simply irrelevant. Learning how to recognize this can go a long way toward feeling better about ourselves.

Much or what overwhelms us is not good or bad; it is simply irrelevant. Learning how to recognize this can go a long way toward feeling better about ourselves.

Why is play so important for children? Animal and human research show both the "hows and whys" of this question.

Being alone does not have to mean being lonely.

Motivation

Are Some People Just Lazy?

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on January 7, 2019

Understanding laziness can help reduce its impact on society.

Understanding laziness can help reduce its impact on society.

Depression

Clinical Depression: Where Might It Come From?

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on November 27, 2018

Looking at evolutionary processes provides some helpful insights for understanding clinical depression.

Looking at evolutionary processes provides some helpful insights for understanding clinical depression.

Freudian Psychology

Why Modern Clinical Psychology May Be in Trouble

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on October 9, 2018

Psychotherapists try to help individuals make real change. But some aspects of modern psychological research might actually be interfering with how they do this.

Psychotherapists try to help individuals make real change. But some aspects of modern psychological research might actually be interfering with how they do this.

Habit Formation

Understanding What Makes Behavior Modification Work

Daniel Marston Ph.D. on October 2, 2018

Ever wonder what "behavior modification" plans are all about? Here's some useful information.

Ever wonder what "behavior modification" plans are all about? Here's some useful information.