Theory of Knowledge

Motivation

Be Oriented Toward Valued States of Being

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on January 24, 2023

Central to living an adaptive and fulfilling life is being motivated toward valued states of being in the short and long term.

Central to living an adaptive and fulfilling life is being motivated toward valued states of being in the short and long term.

Philosophy

What Is the Problem of Psychology and Why Is It Important?

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on January 3, 2023

Unlike biologists and physicists, psychological scientists do not agree on what the field is about, and this points to a fundamental problem in our knowledge systems.

Unlike biologists and physicists, psychological scientists do not agree on what the field is about, and this points to a fundamental problem in our knowledge systems.

Neuroticism

Loving Compassion: The Why and How

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on December 20, 2022

Cultivating a loving compassionate attitude is a crucial part of having a healthy, adaptive mindset.

Cultivating a loving compassionate attitude is a crucial part of having a healthy, adaptive mindset.

Neuroticism

Acceptance on the Path to Healing From Neurotic Loops

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on December 2, 2022

When bad things elicit negative feelings, it makes sense that we want to resist and reject that reality. However, acceptance is key to mental health.

When bad things elicit negative feelings, it makes sense that we want to resist and reject that reality. However, acceptance is key to mental health.

Neuroticism

How to Cultivate a Curious Attitude in Times of Distress

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on November 18, 2022

Although it is easy to become defensive and reactive when we are hurt, there are other and better ways to go.

Although it is easy to become defensive and reactive when we are hurt, there are other and better ways to go.

Neuroticism

How to Activate Sage Mode and Start Reversing Neurotic Loops

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on November 10, 2022

Many people get trapped in unhelpful neurotic loops, and this post explains why going meta to activate your sage mode is the first step in reversing them.

Many people get trapped in unhelpful neurotic loops, and this post explains why going meta to activate your sage mode is the first step in reversing them.

Neuroticism

The Neurotic Loops at the Core of Many Mental Disorders

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on November 9, 2022

Neurotic loops are at the core of depression and anxiety. This is how to become more aware and responsive.

Neurotic loops are at the core of depression and anxiety. This is how to become more aware and responsive.

Neuroticism

A CALM Guide to Reversing Neurotic Loops

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on November 3, 2022

Negative reactions to negative feelings triggered by negative situations is a loop at the heart of much suffering. This blog series will explain what can be done to reverse them.

Negative reactions to negative feelings triggered by negative situations is a loop at the heart of much suffering. This blog series will explain what can be done to reverse them.

Personality

The Three "Laws" of Human Behavior

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on October 21, 2022

This blog outlines a simple but deep frame for understanding human behavior in terms of three factors: investments, influence, and justification.

This blog outlines a simple but deep frame for understanding human behavior in terms of three factors: investments, influence, and justification.

Spirituality

What Is Metamodern Spirituality?

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

A new vision of science and spirituality is emerging. Recently, a group exploring these issues met and engaged with the concept of goodness.

A new vision of science and spirituality is emerging. Recently, a group exploring these issues met and engaged with the concept of goodness.

Philosophy

Finding Romance in Reality

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on October 5, 2022

It is time we shift our worldview. We are not just a bunch of chemicals; we are an unfolding wave of energy and information seeking growth.

It is time we shift our worldview. We are not just a bunch of chemicals; we are an unfolding wave of energy and information seeking growth.

Personality

The Justification Idea

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on September 27, 2022

The justification idea says that we can usefully divide human consciousness up into the monkey, the monkey trainer, and the monkey public relations guy.

The justification idea says that we can usefully divide human consciousness up into the monkey, the monkey trainer, and the monkey public relations guy.

Gender

A Mindedness Take on the Concept of Gender

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on September 15, 2022

We need the concept of mindedness to effectively understand the concept of gender and gender differences in humans.

We need the concept of mindedness to effectively understand the concept of gender and gender differences in humans.

Philosophy

The Hard Problem of the Psyche

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on September 9, 2022

The psyche, defined as your unique, qualitative, subjective, experience of being in the moment, does not fit into the standard language of natural science.

The psyche, defined as your unique, qualitative, subjective, experience of being in the moment, does not fit into the standard language of natural science.

Animal Behavior

Seeing Mindedness in Cats

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on August 23, 2022

Like most animals, cats are minded creatures. Here's why we need to learn how to see mindedness in the world.

Like most animals, cats are minded creatures. Here's why we need to learn how to see mindedness in the world.

Neuroticism

The ABCs of Neurotic Loops

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on July 26, 2022

Avoidance, blame, and control as responses to negative situations that elicit negative feelings trap people in vicious cycles.

Avoidance, blame, and control as responses to negative situations that elicit negative feelings trap people in vicious cycles.

Types of Therapy

Understanding the Core of Psychotherapy

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Step outside negative reactivity and respond in a way that is curious, accepting, loving, and motivated toward valued outcomes.

Step outside negative reactivity and respond in a way that is curious, accepting, loving, and motivated toward valued outcomes.

Personality

This Is a Better Way to Understand Mental Behavior

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on May 25, 2022

Make the switch from mainstream empirical psychology to a psychology that allows you to see human mental behavioral patterns with clarity.

Make the switch from mainstream empirical psychology to a psychology that allows you to see human mental behavioral patterns with clarity.

Self-Talk

Do You Struggle With a Critical Inner Voice?

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on May 3, 2022

Why does a critical inner voice develop, and what can one do to reduce it?

Why does a critical inner voice develop, and what can one do to reduce it?

Cognition

There Are Two Types and Two Systems of Cognitive Processes

Gregg Henriques Ph.D. on April 29, 2022

This post revisits the classic dual processing view in cognitive science and proposes a new alignment that consists of two major systems and two types of cognitive processes.

This post revisits the classic dual processing view in cognitive science and proposes a new alignment that consists of two major systems and two types of cognitive processes.