X CLOSE
TherapeiaEudaimoniaPoiesis
AboutContact
Search
Menu
Psyche
DonateNewsletter
SIGN IN
Ideas

Virtues and vices

Disorders and difficultiesTherapies and practical advicePerspectives and controversies
Self-knowledge and personal growthRelationships, work and leisureValues and ethical living
Creativity and the artsSpirituality and transcendence
BioethicsCivic lifeCultural diversityEthicsFairness and equalityHuman rights and justiceMeaning and the good lifeNature and the environmentNeurodiversityProgress and the futureRace and ethnicityValues and beliefsVirtues and vicesWisdom
LatestPopular
A group of people shown through reflective surfaces creating a layered effect, one wears a purple ribbon.

Communication and language

idea

To have deeper conversations, try being more of an asshole

Conversation is a game with rules about politeness and norms. To move beyond small talk, you need to risk breaking them

by Idil Çakmur

Photo of a woman with tattoos taking a selfie on a smartphone wearing an off-shoulder dress in front of glass doors.

Virtues and vices

idea

Social comparison is driving us to despair. It doesn’t have to

In the social media age, it seems impossible not to measure ourselves against others – but we can dodge the worst pitfalls

by Wojciech Kaftański

Illustration of diverse people in warm tones, depicting a crowded scene with varied clothing and hairstyles.

Wisdom

idea

Wisdom is a virtue, but how do we judge if someone has it?

Our team explored who is considered wise in cultures with contrasting philosophical traditions. The results surprised us

by Maksim Rudnev & Igor Grossmann

Painting of a bundle of American banknotes tied with a green ribbon pinned to a wall on a brown background.

Virtues and vices

idea

Greedy people might be frowned upon, but are they the winners?

Some individuals have a persistent tendency to want ever more stuff and status. Psychologists are examining the lives they lead

by Karlijn Hoyer

Black and white photo of a man smiling next to a woman laughing at a formal event. Other guests visible in the background.

Sex and sexuality

idea

Everything I know about flirting, I learned from the Cold War

The rewards of flirtation go beyond sex or romance. But, as in other exchanges, you have to know where the red line is

by Youngbin Yoon

Photo of a person standing before a large, colourful cosmic map display with clumps of blue and orange speckles.

Virtues and vices

idea

The medieval notion that shows why even experts should be humble

Nicholas of Cusa and others saw the importance of ‘learned ignorance’ or recognising there is always something more to learn

by Christopher M Bellitto

Photo of person in red fairy wings facing portable toilets outdoors.

Emotion regulation

idea

The psychology of impatience could make waiting more tolerable

New studies on the experience of impatience suggest there’s more to it than simply how long you’ve been left hanging

by Matt Huston

Photo of a hand with tattoos, including “1488” on the fingers, wearing a green sleeve and blue jeans in the background.

Communication and language

idea

Beyond dogwhistles – racists have a new rhetorical trick

How are so many politicians today able to get away with overtly racist utterances? By using rhetorical ‘figleaves’

by Jennifer Saul

Photo of people studying at desks in a library with a large abstract painting on the wall above them.

Virtues and vices

idea

Why so many plagiarists are in denial about what they did wrong

So often people claim ‘I didn’t mean to’, yet they fail to realise that plagiarism is more like speeding than theft

by Philip Reed

Painting of elegantly dressed people at a party, one serving sandwiches to others who are smiling and holding plates.

Virtues and vices

idea

Be honest: little white lies are more harmful than you think

Even well-intentioned white lies can foster disconnection and distrust – openness and honesty really are the best policy

by Elena Svetieva & Leanne ten Brinke

A busy street with billboards, people walking and police officers beside an overturned green auto-rickshaw, with a blue bus and other vehicles passing by.

Virtues and vices

idea

What the ‘fundamental attribution error’ misses about blame

Classic research says we overlook situational factors in explaining people’s misdeeds. But the reality is more complex

by Laura Niemi, Jesse Graham & John M Doris

A couple enjoying a cosy moment, the woman holds a pink mug while the man, in a striped shirt, leans in closely, both smiling softly.

Communication and language

idea

Here’s the truth about how to spot when someone is lying

From shifty eyes to fidgeting fingers, there are many folk beliefs about the signs of lying – but what does the science say?

by Tim Brennen & Svein Magnussen