Conscientiousness

All About Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness is not just about getting to church on time, in a freshly ironed suit. It's a fundamental personality trait that influences whether people set and keep long-range goals, deliberate over choices or behave impulsively, and take seriously obligations to others. Conscientiousness is a key ingredient for success, but the off-the-charts conscientious may court perfectionism by setting sights too high.

Love Week

By Frances Kuffel on February 13, 2017 in What Fat Women Want

Today, on the eve of St. Valentine of Terni’s martyrdom 1700 years ago – for trying to convert Emperor Claudius – is International Self Love Day.

Split: Horror with a Side of Split Personality

By Jeremy Clyman Psy.D. on February 01, 2017 in Reel Therapy

Read on to learn how the split personality phenomenon can be considered at the unhealthy end of the identity spectrum.

How to Maintain Your Sanity During Politically Insane Times

By Deborah L. Davis Ph.D. on January 30, 2017 in Laugh, Cry, Live

If you’re feeling chronic stress over the U.S. political situation, you are not alone. Here are some smart survival tips.

What is the number one predictor for personal success?

By Lori Russell-Chapin Ph.D. on January 21, 2017 in Brain Waves

What is the biggest predictor of success? Discover 8 skills that will lead the way.

Dear Mr. President: New Anthology of Letters from Teens

By Jennifer Haupt on January 18, 2017 in One True Thing

Letters to President Trump from diverse students nationwide express a wide range of concerns as well as compassion.

When Martin Luther King, Jr Addressed Social Scientists

By The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues on January 17, 2017 in Sound Science, Sound Policy

In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr., addressed the APA convention at the invitation of SPSSI. Read the full text of his still relevant remarks in this special blog post.

Famous Religion on the Brink of Extinction

By Robert N. McCauley Ph.D. on January 15, 2017 in Why Religion Is Natural and Science Is Not

It is difficult to transmit a religion for long, if all of its members abstain from sex.

Saying “I’m Sorry”

By Richard B. Joelson DSW, LCSW on January 05, 2017 in Moments That Matter

Many people seem to find saying “I’m sorry” an extremely difficult thing to offer. Here are four guidelines for an effective apology.

Learning to Drive through Video Games

By David Ludden Ph.D. on January 03, 2017 in Talking Apes

New research shows that time in front of a computer screen can lead to better performance behind the wheel.

3 Inspiring Stories of Everyday Compassion

By Jennifer Haupt on December 30, 2016 in One True Thing

These folks have made the world a little brighter for others in totally different ways.

A Process Junkie's Guide to Putting a Lid on It

By Jeremy E Sherman Ph.D. on December 30, 2016 in Ambigamy

If you're psychologically curious, you may tend to invite more process talk than is useful or healthy. Here are some ways to be available for processing without encouraging it.

The Paradox of Conscientious Prisoners

By Scott A. McGreal MSc. on December 27, 2016 in Unique—Like Everybody Else

Criminals are usually lower than normal people in conscientiousness, yet a new study finds that prisoners are higher in this trait. What can explain this apparent paradox?

When Everything's Going Wrong at Work, Practice Patience

By Caroline Beaton on December 18, 2016 in The Gen-Y Guide

Practicing patience is both hard and highly possible.

Storytelling Enhances the Influence of Science-Based Writing

By Christopher Bergland on December 16, 2016 in The Athlete's Way

Writing in a narrative style—that includes storytelling and sensory language—makes scientific studies on climate change more engaging and impactful, according to a new study.

By PabloEvans from London, United Kingdom (Veer Guest House) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Rolling Out the Green Carpet: Yet Legal Does Not Mean Safe

By Wendy L. Patrick Ph.D. on December 09, 2016 in Why Bad Looks Good

The Green Revolution has resulted in a misconception that legal marijuana is safe under all circumstances. Potential consumers are advised to read up before they light up.

A Decision-Making Hack for Life's Forks in the Road

By Shauna H Springer Ph.D. on December 08, 2016 in Free-Range Psychology

As we wrap up 2016 and head into a new year, is there a fork in your own road that you need to see with greater clarity and focus? Here's a decision-making "hack" that may help.

Thanks for The Small Stuff: It Makes a Big Difference

By Gina Barreca Ph.D. on November 24, 2016 in Snow White Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Eye-contact and a smile. That's human contact at its most basic—something for which we should all be grateful.

Grit and How to Grow It

By Linda and Charlie Bloom on November 23, 2016 in Stronger at the Broken Places

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

Why Taking Ownership Is Key to Divorce Recovery

By Wendy Paris on November 22, 2016 in Splitopia

I created seven Principles of Parting while going through my own divorce and writing a book about it. The Principles are guideposts that keep us stay on course during trying times.

Forgiveness Is the Answer to (Almost) All of Our Ills

By Jason Powers M.D. on November 09, 2016 in Beyond Abstinence

Harboring resentment not only slows healing, but can cause illness. Even justified anger is toxic.

Sexual Infidelity: The Post-Discovery Short-Term Aftermath

By Robert Weiss LCSW, CSAT-S on November 09, 2016 in Love and Sex in the Digital Age

What happens when you find out your partner cheated?

Beat Procrastination in 3 Steps

By Joel Minden, PhD on November 07, 2016 in CBT and Me

Are you a procrastination expert? Use behavioral strategies to get things done.

Island Wisdom

By Linda and Charlie Bloom on November 04, 2016 in Stronger at the Broken Places

Even if you can't move to an island, small changes can help you live happily, in the moment.

See-ming Lee, Artist Studio: James Cospito, Brooklyn Art Project HQ. Image source: Flickr.com

Creativity in the Digital Age

By Laura Otis Ph.D. on November 02, 2016 in Rethinking Thought

Thinking that people stare at smartphones because they’re interested in phones is like thinking scientists study Drosophila genetics because they’re interested in fruit flies.

"Pinocchio": The Transformation of a Criminal in the Making

By Stanton E. Samenow Ph.D. on November 01, 2016 in Inside the Criminal Mind

A new take on an old childhood story

The Deviant Psychologies of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton

By Berit Brogaard D.M.Sci., Ph.D on October 29, 2016 in The Superhuman Mind

In Sex and the City Carrie's love interest, Mr. Big, a real-estate mogul, is compared to Trump, which raises the question: which television character is Hilary Clinton?