Moral Landscapes

Play

Why Do Adults Spank Kids and What Are the Alternatives?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on April 4, 2022

Corporal punishment of children has a long history, but science now shows it is detrimental in the long term. What knowledge and practices help parents avoid corporal punishment?

Corporal punishment of children has a long history, but science now shows it is detrimental in the long term. What knowledge and practices help parents avoid corporal punishment?

Health

Welcoming Social Environments for Babies

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on March 27, 2022

We often forget how important our bodies are for health and well-being, and how much our bodies are co-regulated by others, which is critical for babies.

We often forget how important our bodies are for health and well-being, and how much our bodies are co-regulated by others, which is critical for babies.

Relationships

What Does It Mean to Matter?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on March 21, 2022

All humans need to feel connected to community and feel that they matter.

All humans need to feel connected to community and feel that they matter.

Environment

Human Nature Develops After Birth

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on March 14, 2022

Most evolutionary psychology studies focus on pre-human interests. What would it mean to study our evolved hman nature?

Most evolutionary psychology studies focus on pre-human interests. What would it mean to study our evolved hman nature?

Sleep

Safe Infant Sleep and Breastfeeding Are Partners

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on March 6, 2022

The tide may be turning on infant sleep recommendations, as research shows the benefits and safety of "breastsleeping."

The tide may be turning on infant sleep recommendations, as research shows the benefits and safety of "breastsleeping."

Parenting

Parenting by Experiment Can Do Harm to Babies

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on February 23, 2022

Are you wondering how to parent a baby? Best not to look for experiments. Use our evolved baselines instead.

Are you wondering how to parent a baby? Best not to look for experiments. Use our evolved baselines instead.

Intelligence

Evolved Nest Companionship Is Our Species' Baseline

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on February 21, 2022

There is a lot of misinformation about baby care given to parents. What is the most scientific approach to deciding what is appropriate care?

There is a lot of misinformation about baby care given to parents. What is the most scientific approach to deciding what is appropriate care?

Environment

Getting Back to the Feeling of Oneness

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on February 14, 2022

The sense of oneness is characteristic of the human species, supporting ecologically wise behavior. So why did the Western world abandon it?

The sense of oneness is characteristic of the human species, supporting ecologically wise behavior. So why did the Western world abandon it?

Education

What Is Missing in Our Western Enlightenment Culture?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on January 30, 2022

The orientation of the dominant worldview goes against our Indigenous heritage.

The orientation of the dominant worldview goes against our Indigenous heritage.

Caregiving

What Is the Greatest Harm to a Child?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on January 23, 2022

We all experience disconnection; it is built into childraising practices that imprint the brain of a baby.

We all experience disconnection; it is built into childraising practices that imprint the brain of a baby.

Caregiving

What Good Enough Mothers Do

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on January 16, 2022

Good enough mothering or caregiving has particular characteristics to keep young children growing optimally.

Good enough mothering or caregiving has particular characteristics to keep young children growing optimally.

Trauma

New Year’s Resolution: Address Grief and Trauma in Healthy Ways

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 31, 2021

Learn the first-aid steps for healing from traumatizing events. Children need adult help.

Learn the first-aid steps for healing from traumatizing events. Children need adult help.

Intelligence

Human Supremacy: The Source of All Environmental Crises?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 25, 2021

Multiple environmental crises require immediate reversals. Here is one—human supremacy—and a small step in that direction.

Multiple environmental crises require immediate reversals. Here is one—human supremacy—and a small step in that direction.

Flow

Communitas: Collective Joy Through Joint Social Flow

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 23, 2021

An egoless sense of siblinghood can emerge anywhere we share common experiences with others, bringing about a sense of collective joy.

An egoless sense of siblinghood can emerge anywhere we share common experiences with others, bringing about a sense of collective joy.

Intelligence

Putting Childraising Back on Track

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 20, 2021

Settlers brought their harsh parenting practices to the “new world." Unfortunately, harsh parenting is still with us.

Settlers brought their harsh parenting practices to the “new world." Unfortunately, harsh parenting is still with us.

Punishment

Ending Corporal Punishment of Children

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 13, 2021

Did you experience corporal punishment as a child? Forty years ago only one country had banned it. Now there are 62. For good reason.

Did you experience corporal punishment as a child? Forty years ago only one country had banned it. Now there are 62. For good reason.

Attention

Raising Your Child’s Whole Brain

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on December 6, 2021

Do we want our children to thrive or just survive? Aiming for survival is appropriate in a war zone but elsewhere parents can aim for thriving. Here are a dozen strategies.

Do we want our children to thrive or just survive? Aiming for survival is appropriate in a war zone but elsewhere parents can aim for thriving. Here are a dozen strategies.

Intelligence

Why Don’t Healthy Humans Act Like Apes?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on November 28, 2021

You evolved to have more social intelligence than an ape, but whether or not you develop it depends on your childhood experience.

You evolved to have more social intelligence than an ape, but whether or not you develop it depends on your childhood experience.

Parenting

Mindful Parenting Brings About a Peaceful Home

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on November 21, 2021

Mindfulness improves all relationships. For all of us, it starts with parenting.

Mindfulness improves all relationships. For all of us, it starts with parenting.

Stress

Thriving Child, Cooperative Child

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on November 14, 2021

Helping young children develop social enjoyment may be vital for their moral socialization.

Helping young children develop social enjoyment may be vital for their moral socialization.