A Swim in Denial

Addiction

You Can’t Go Home Again

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on November 20, 2017

“Home for the holidays” promises “all the comforts of home,” but also brings the sorrows of home. Why do we do it? Is it a homing instinct? An addiction? Just unfinished business?

“Home for the holidays” promises “all the comforts of home,” but also brings the sorrows of home. Why do we do it? Is it a homing instinct? An addiction? Just unfinished business?

Terror Management Theory

The Sacred Trance

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on October 26, 2017

When a leader uses the idea of the sacred, the word can be inspiring or sinister. Psychology can help us determine which is which.

When a leader uses the idea of the sacred, the word can be inspiring or sinister. Psychology can help us determine which is which.

Attention

Big Shot

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on October 4, 2017

A wealthy gambler uses an arsenal and a casino hotel to kill 58 concert-goers and himself, wounding hundreds. His actions can help us understand what it means to be human.

A wealthy gambler uses an arsenal and a casino hotel to kill 58 concert-goers and himself, wounding hundreds. His actions can help us understand what it means to be human.

Anxiety

Anxiety Is a Leadership Tool

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on September 24, 2017

Since leaders use anxiety as a tool to motivate and control their followers, train yourself to recognize anxiety cues.

Since leaders use anxiety as a tool to motivate and control their followers, train yourself to recognize anxiety cues.

Anxiety

A Psychology of Rescue

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on September 8, 2017

A nurse gave patients lethal injections so he could dazzle colleagues by bringing the victims back to life. He may have been driven by "heroic rescue," one of our core motives.

A nurse gave patients lethal injections so he could dazzle colleagues by bringing the victims back to life. He may have been driven by "heroic rescue," one of our core motives.

The Houston disaster fascinates us because the conflicts reflect storms within us.

Humor

A Psychology of Humor

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on August 10, 2017

Jokes hold up a mirror in which we can learn to see our hidden hopes and fears and ask, What kind of animals are we?

Jokes hold up a mirror in which we can learn to see our hidden hopes and fears and ask, What kind of animals are we?

Anger

Americans Intoxicated

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on July 1, 2017

It’s an angry era in America. Instead of debating who’s right or wrong, let’s ask what kinds of work anger is doing for Americans now? And what's behind it?

It’s an angry era in America. Instead of debating who’s right or wrong, let’s ask what kinds of work anger is doing for Americans now? And what's behind it?

Media

Judging Your Worth

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on June 12, 2017

China is developing a digital system to track and evaluate its population of 1.3 billion people. They’re not the only ones.

China is developing a digital system to track and evaluate its population of 1.3 billion people. They’re not the only ones.

Fantasies

Conspiracy Pathology

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on May 22, 2017

Conspiracy theories shade into mental illness, as in the dream that destroyed David Crowley and family. The ambiguity that gives conspiracy thinking power also invites delusion.

Conspiracy theories shade into mental illness, as in the dream that destroyed David Crowley and family. The ambiguity that gives conspiracy thinking power also invites delusion.

Play

A Psychology of Conspiracy Theory

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on April 25, 2017

Conspiracy theories used to be kooky inventions homemade in somebody’s mental garage. Now they’re tools in mainstream contests for power.

Conspiracy theories used to be kooky inventions homemade in somebody’s mental garage. Now they’re tools in mainstream contests for power.

Appetite

Are Tattoos Addictive?

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on March 17, 2017

Do tattoos trigger craving for more?

Do tattoos trigger craving for more?

Fear

Zombie Nerves

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on February 8, 2017

When reality feels overwhelming, popular fantasies can simplify and highlight important themes.

When reality feels overwhelming, popular fantasies can simplify and highlight important themes.

Politics

Dying to Be Great

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on January 23, 2017

Astonishment greeted the new president’s inauguration speech about “American carnage,” but it points to the hidden story that brought him to the White House.

Astonishment greeted the new president’s inauguration speech about “American carnage,” but it points to the hidden story that brought him to the White House.

Intuition

Gut Feeling

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on January 11, 2017

When Meryl Streep spoke out about vindictiveness at the Golden Globes, was she right to trust her gut instinct?

When Meryl Streep spoke out about vindictiveness at the Golden Globes, was she right to trust her gut instinct?

Fantasies

Snow Job

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on December 21, 2016

Most old holiday movies warm your heart and eat your brain. But "White Christmas" can make you wonder what we really want.

Most old holiday movies warm your heart and eat your brain. But "White Christmas" can make you wonder what we really want.

Fantasies

Fighting for Life

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on December 4, 2016

What do role-playing knights and princesses tell us about the unsettled American psyche?

What do role-playing knights and princesses tell us about the unsettled American psyche?

Why does victory bring such strange and disturbing reactions?

Attention

Groping for Sex and More Life

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on October 4, 2016

Terror Management Theory (TMT) offers a scientific way of understanding the spellbinding effects of Donald Trump's fantasies..

Terror Management Theory (TMT) offers a scientific way of understanding the spellbinding effects of Donald Trump's fantasies..

Play

Playing Dead:

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on September 16, 2016

Preschoolers' development lags when they're overprotected.

Preschoolers' development lags when they're overprotected.