Presence of Mind

Understanding environmental and other social problems.

Shawn M. Burn Ph.D.

Whistleblowers and Rats

Psychological perspectives and research on whistleblowing are interesting to consider in the context of the Ukraine scandal.

When One Relationship Partner Is More Interested

The most interested/least interested relationship dynamic usually leaves both partners feeling badly. Here’s what to do if you’re in one of these relationships.

Hazing: When Rites of Passage Are Harmful Practices

It’s hazing season, and students’ desire to belong puts them at-risk for abuse and humiliation, injury, and even death. How can we inspire them to reduce hazing risks?

Healthy Helping for Family Caregivers of Senior Parents

Caring for senior parents can enrich and heal the parent-child relationship and improve a senior’s life quality, especially when adult children promote “assisted autonomy.”

Healthier Morals of Your “Failed” Relationship Stories

A relationship’s end or being single doesn’t mean you or your relationships are failures. Thinking so can lead you into trouble.

Is Empathy Your Greatest Strength and Greatest Weakness?

Does your empathy get you into helping trouble? Here's how to better manage your helping boundaries.

What to Do When Your Group’s Norms Make You Uneasy

What should we do when a group norm is harmful or unhealthy? Can we change it or should we distance or leave?

Is It Time to Stop Avoiding and Time to Talk?

Is an unaddressed issue coming between you and another? If so, it's time to use constructive confrontation strategies to enrich and save your relationship.

Sexual Harassment Dynamics Revealed in the McSally Case

Senator Martha McSally's (R-AZ) testimony about her sexual assault while serving in the Air Force illustrates common sexual harassment dynamics and points the way for change.

Defensiveness: An Enemy of Growth and Good Relationships

Defensiveness is an enemy of relationship satisfaction and longevity. Fortunately, there are ways to counteract it.

The Perils of Trump’s Autocratic Leadership Style

According to leadership theory and research, President Trump’s leadership style is a recipe for ineffective leadership.

Five Healthy Holiday Boundaries for Givers

Already feeling overwhelmed by holiday demands? Setting limits on what you do during the holiday season can help keep your holidays merry and bright.

A Woman's Place Is In the House (and the Senate)

Why do women comprise only 23% of the United States House and Senate? How will their numbers increase?

Holiday Strategies for Dealing With Difficult Family Members

When you expect criticism or conflict at a family gathering, these five strategies can help you keep the peace.

Very Superstitious

Research explains why we knock on wood and wear lucky socks. Not only is superstition natural and normal, but it can also reap psychological benefits.

Sexual Harassment Myths and Secrets in the Les Moonves Case

The case shows how power and harassment myths silence victims and protect harassers. But it also shows positive effects from the #MeToo movement.

Why We Call Major Depression the "Dark Passenger"

Those of us with major depression call it the "dark passenger" for a reason but it's worth it to fight the battle in the hopes of winning the war.

The Codependent Friendship

There’s a big difference between the closeness of a healthy friendship and the closeness of the unhealthy codependence. Here's how to tell them apart.

Don’t Let a Loved One’s Health Problems Come Between You

Feeling frustrated because your loved one won't take your health advice? Here’s how to keep their health problems from becoming a relationship problem.

How to Manage Breast Cancer Screening/Diagnosis Anxiety

Worry is normal after a mammogram if you're told more diagnostic tests or procedures are needed, and as you wait for results. These anxiety-busting strategies may help.

Looking For Self-Knowledge in All the Wrong Places

Is your quest for self-knowledge being exploited by the makers of social media "psychological" tests?

Estrangement Distress: The Unwelcome Holiday Present

The holidays bring heartache to parents estranged from their adult children. New research sheds light on the factors leading to estrangement and what we can do to cope.

Cognitive Dissonance and the Franken Sexual Misconduct Case

Democrats and feminists must honestly grapple with the uncomfortable feelings generated by the Franken case.

Reducing Host-Guest Tensions: How to Be a Good Houseguest

These houseguest guidelines will increase the odds of a visit unmarked by host-guest tensions.

Preventing Trouble With Houseguests

Houseguests can be a dream but they can also be experienced as territorial invaders that create stress and strain, especially if we aren't clear about visit boundaries.

Candy, Costumes, and Scares, Oh My!

What's behind people's love for Halloween and wild Halloween behavior?

Are Women More Codependent Than Men?

Traditional gender roles can set some people up for unhealthy helping and giving.

Old-Fashioned and Modern Racism At Play Post-Charlottesville

A social-psychologist explains how white hate groups and some politicians exploit the dynamics of prejudice and how Confederate monuments cause psychological and social harm.

Lessons from the Grave of Timothy Piazza

Timothy Piazza didn't have to die but group dynamics and barriers to bystander intervention insured that he did.

What Do Psychologists Say About Sexual Harassment?

The sexual harassment shenanigans of Bill O’Reilly and Roger Ailes at Fox News remind us that sexual harassment remains a workplace problem.

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