Cultural Animal

Optimism

Bad Is Still (Much) Stronger Than Good

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on June 26, 2023

Human minds tend to focus on the negative and overreact. This pattern has been confirmed in thousands of research studies and, amusingly, in a pair of blogs about the future.

Human minds tend to focus on the negative and overreact. This pattern has been confirmed in thousands of research studies and, amusingly, in a pair of blogs about the future.

Dementia

Modern Aging Has Two Very New Dangers

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on May 27, 2023

Longer lives mean that more people will suffer from dementia. Meanwhile, new retirement plans replace lifelong pensions with a lump sum that could run out.

Longer lives mean that more people will suffer from dementia. Meanwhile, new retirement plans replace lifelong pensions with a lump sum that could run out.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Why Do Republicans and Democrats Hate Each Other?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on May 11, 2023

Successful countries often alternate power between the left and right. The right focuses on amassing resources, the left on redistributing them. Both are essential for a nation.

Successful countries often alternate power between the left and right. The right focuses on amassing resources, the left on redistributing them. Both are essential for a nation.

Pessimism

Social Psychology's Dark Future

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

Many social psychologists see their field in crisis. The problems are serious and may get worse. Here are some worst-case scenarios that spell more trouble ahead.

Many social psychologists see their field in crisis. The problems are serious and may get worse. Here are some worst-case scenarios that spell more trouble ahead.

Optimism

Social Psychology's Bright Future

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on March 27, 2023

Despite social psychology's current struggles and woes, there are good reasons to look forward to a bright future. Things may not be as bad as they seem.

Despite social psychology's current struggles and woes, there are good reasons to look forward to a bright future. Things may not be as bad as they seem.

Cognition

Does the Dog Have Narrative Self-Understanding?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on December 24, 2022

Do animals have any narrative self-awareness? I thought chasing would be the best candidate, but my puppy suggests I was wrong.

Do animals have any narrative self-awareness? I thought chasing would be the best candidate, but my puppy suggests I was wrong.

Psychology

Social Psychology Without Social Interaction

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on October 18, 2022

Large multi-lab replications in social psychology have not fared well. Live social interaction is one big difference between the successes and the failures.

Large multi-lab replications in social psychology have not fared well. Live social interaction is one big difference between the successes and the failures.

Psychology

Social Psychology and Multi-Lab Replications

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on September 15, 2022

Worried fans of social psychology may be encouraged by a recent comprehensive review of multi-site replications.

Worried fans of social psychology may be encouraged by a recent comprehensive review of multi-site replications.

Intelligence

What's Wrong With an Honest, Frank Obituary?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on September 12, 2022

A Personal Perspective: A eulogy for a petty, cruel tyrant who had a good side.

A Personal Perspective: A eulogy for a petty, cruel tyrant who had a good side.

Career

Who Is the Greatest Social Psychologist?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on September 1, 2022

Reflecting on a great career.

Reflecting on a great career.

Sex

An Unromantic but Compelling Theory About Sexual Motivations

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Some years ago, we published a theory that people don’t like. Using economics theory to analyze the sexual marketplace is unromantic. But it sure fits.

Some years ago, we published a theory that people don’t like. Using economics theory to analyze the sexual marketplace is unromantic. But it sure fits.

Sleep

Two Kinds of Jet Lag: Wake Up Early or Sleep Late

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on April 28, 2022

As international travel resumes, it's time to reacquaint ourselves with different coping strategies for wake-up-early vs. sleep-late jet lag.

As international travel resumes, it's time to reacquaint ourselves with different coping strategies for wake-up-early vs. sleep-late jet lag.

Heuristics

Is Anchoring and Adjustment the Best-Replicated Finding?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on April 4, 2022

A common mistake people make when estimating an unknown number based on a known one could be among psychology's strongest findings.

A common mistake people make when estimating an unknown number based on a known one could be among psychology's strongest findings.

Self-Control

What’s the Best-Replicated Finding in Social Psychology?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on March 23, 2022

Only a few social psychology findings have survived multi-lab replications with significant support. Ego depletion is one of them.

Only a few social psychology findings have survived multi-lab replications with significant support. Ego depletion is one of them.

Sex

Can a Marriage Be Happy When a Wife’s Sexual Desire Dwindles?

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on March 9, 2022

When wives lose interest in sex, how can couples deal with the problem, other than blaming each other?

When wives lose interest in sex, how can couples deal with the problem, other than blaming each other?

Sex

How Sexual Desire Changes After Marriage

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on January 30, 2022

Does marriage cause a loss of sexual desire?

Does marriage cause a loss of sexual desire?

Rejection Sensitivity

Why Being Rejected by Strangers Hurts So Much

Roy F. Baumeister Ph.D. on January 25, 2022

Because humans can imagine the future in detail, including imagining multiple possibilities, they react to them with emotion.

Because humans can imagine the future in detail, including imagining multiple possibilities, they react to them with emotion.

Is there anything good about men?

If meaning, symbolism, and social reality are real AND are not physical things, then not all reality is physical.

Bargh and Baumeister debated free will for 90 minutes at the giant SPSP convention in Tampa. These are Baumeister's thoughts after the debate.