Wild Connections

Boundaries

What We Need to Know About Setting Healthy Boundaries

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on January 19, 2024

We are responsible for communicating boundaries, warning others before they cross them, responding in proportion to the offense, and being consistent. Here's how to do it.

We are responsible for communicating boundaries, warning others before they cross them, responding in proportion to the offense, and being consistent. Here's how to do it.

Free Will

How Conforming Can Stifle Growth

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 28, 2023

Stepping out of our comfort zones lets us learn new approaches, appreciate diversity, and connect us all in a more meaningful way.

Stepping out of our comfort zones lets us learn new approaches, appreciate diversity, and connect us all in a more meaningful way.

Parenting

The Price of Entitlement

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 20, 2023

Personal Perspective: Fathers should teach their sons to master the art of accepting rejection with grace.

Personal Perspective: Fathers should teach their sons to master the art of accepting rejection with grace.

Career

Can We Stop Being Nepotistic?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 4, 2023

As the hit series "Succession" demonstrated, family feuds can undermine the nepotistic advantages that should be enjoyed by close relatives. Killer whales know it, too.

As the hit series "Succession" demonstrated, family feuds can undermine the nepotistic advantages that should be enjoyed by close relatives. Killer whales know it, too.

Identity

What Is Home and How Do You Get There?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 7, 2020

From staying home to going home or finding home, who we are is inextricably tied to a sense of place.

From staying home to going home or finding home, who we are is inextricably tied to a sense of place.

Fear

Swindling Others Is a Strategy

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on November 4, 2020

Is there a kleptoparasite in your midst? How to protect yourself from being swindled.

Is there a kleptoparasite in your midst? How to protect yourself from being swindled.

Fear

The Core Traits of Master Manipulators

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on October 10, 2020

Human manipulators and natural parasites have a few things in common, and discerning whether or not you are being manipulated is a critical skill.

Human manipulators and natural parasites have a few things in common, and discerning whether or not you are being manipulated is a critical skill.

Hormones

3 Surprising Ways Dads Connect With Their Kids

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 19, 2020

How important are dads? A look at how they bond with their kids provides a clue.

How important are dads? A look at how they bond with their kids provides a clue.

Empathy

What Parrots Can Teach Us About Kindness and Tolerance

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 14, 2020

When it comes to going out of your way to help someone out, even a stranger, it's the African grey parrot that shows us the way.

When it comes to going out of your way to help someone out, even a stranger, it's the African grey parrot that shows us the way.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Curbing COVID-19 Transmission

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on March 7, 2020

When it comes to slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, what does social distancing really mean, and why does it work? A look at what we know from animal social networks.

When it comes to slowing down the transmission of COVID-19, what does social distancing really mean, and why does it work? A look at what we know from animal social networks.

Consumer Behavior

4 Reasons to Change Our Perception of Re-Gifting

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 29, 2019

Did you receive a gift you don't like or that would be perfect for someone else? Here are a few reasons why regifting should be trendy.

Did you receive a gift you don't like or that would be perfect for someone else? Here are a few reasons why regifting should be trendy.

Stress

3 Ways to Improve Your Cognitive Flexibility

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on December 3, 2019

Is your everyday routine ruining your ability to adapt? A few small changes can help increase your cognitive flexibility.

Is your everyday routine ruining your ability to adapt? A few small changes can help increase your cognitive flexibility.

Teamwork

The Upside of Eating Together

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on November 29, 2019

How opening your home to others for a meal can foster a sense of community, support, and well-being.

How opening your home to others for a meal can foster a sense of community, support, and well-being.

Friends

Are You Feeling Neglected in Your Relationship?

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on September 12, 2019

Here is how you can take charge and bring about positive change—by thinking about animals!

Here is how you can take charge and bring about positive change—by thinking about animals!

Anxiety

Relationship Yellow Flags

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on August 22, 2019

When dating, the more attuned you becomes the easier it will be to pick up on these subtle signs of trouble.

When dating, the more attuned you becomes the easier it will be to pick up on these subtle signs of trouble.

Depression

Why Being Organized Matters

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on August 4, 2019

Do you struggle to stay organized? Or are you neat and tidy but live with someone who rarely cleans? A few adjustments can go a long way.

Do you struggle to stay organized? Or are you neat and tidy but live with someone who rarely cleans? A few adjustments can go a long way.

Relationships

3 Sure Signs That a Relationship Is Developing

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on July 24, 2019

Is he or she truly into you? A few clear signals tell you all you need to know.

Is he or she truly into you? A few clear signals tell you all you need to know.

Leadership

Strong Leadership

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on July 11, 2019

Some “leaders” try to accomplish things by force and fear. This is highly unstable and it doesn’t support cooperation. What are the signs, then, of effective leadership?

Some “leaders” try to accomplish things by force and fear. This is highly unstable and it doesn’t support cooperation. What are the signs, then, of effective leadership?

Career

Simple Strategies for Dealing With a Lazy Coworker

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on June 16, 2019

Is there a way to address co-workers that don't pull their own weight and still come out on top. A few small changes can make all the difference.

Is there a way to address co-workers that don't pull their own weight and still come out on top. A few small changes can make all the difference.

Relationships

How to Connect With Your Partner

Jennifer Verdolin Ph.D. on February 18, 2019

There may not be one complete recipe for success, but with a few key ingredients, your relationship has a better chance of standing the test of time.

There may not be one complete recipe for success, but with a few key ingredients, your relationship has a better chance of standing the test of time.