Verified by Psychology Today

The Modern Mind

The impact of culture on human experience

Identity
The Making of a Lone Wolf Terrorist

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on October 26, 2014

Why insanity defense may be appropriate for school shooters but not appropriate for home-grown jihadis

Why insanity defense may be appropriate for school shooters but not appropriate for home-grown jihadis

Psychiatry
A Bloggers’ Quarrel

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on November 3, 2013

I would suggest to my fellow blogger Dr. Rettew that the agreement between our positions is probably far greater than the disagreement...

I would suggest to my fellow blogger Dr. Rettew that the agreement between our positions is probably far greater than the disagreement...

Happiness
Choices, Children, and Happiness

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on October 27, 2013

Our society lays stress on choices, rather than children. Other societies still emphasize children over choices. We consider such societies repressive, narrow-minded. Don’t we deceive ourselves?

Our society lays stress on choices, rather than children. Other societies still emphasize children over choices. We consider such societies repressive, narrow-minded. Don’t we deceive ourselves?

Psychiatry
The State of Psychiatry Today

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on October 16, 2013

The explanation of the consistent failure of psychiatry to find the causes of and cure the most devastating illnesses within its purview lies in the early, empirically unwarranted, commitment of the psychiatric profession to the biological paradigm, a commitment which is instead based on career-enhancing considerations of social prestige.

The explanation of the consistent failure of psychiatry to find the causes of and cure the most devastating illnesses within its purview lies in the early, empirically unwarranted, commitment of the psychiatric profession to the biological paradigm, a commitment which is instead based on career-enhancing considerations of social prestige.

Cross-Cultural Psychology
The Mind and Its Diseases

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on October 6, 2013

To understand mental illness from a cultural perspective, we need a clearly defined concept of culture, pointing to concrete, empirical phenomena, clearly and demonstrably related to mental functioning.

To understand mental illness from a cultural perspective, we need a clearly defined concept of culture, pointing to concrete, empirical phenomena, clearly and demonstrably related to mental functioning.

Intelligence
Culture, Mind, and Genius

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on September 26, 2013

Genius results from the unusually close integration of the symbolic process on the collective level (culture) and the symbolic process on the individual level (mind).

Genius results from the unusually close integration of the symbolic process on the collective level (culture) and the symbolic process on the individual level (mind).

Cognition
Anatomy of the Mind 3

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on September 21, 2013

While human beings can well do without the thinking self, human existence without it would be impossible. It is a necessary condition for the culture process on the collective level: what makes possible self-consciousness for any one of us is that which makes possible indirect learning and thus the transmission of human ways of life across generations and distances.

While human beings can well do without the thinking self, human existence without it would be impossible. It is a necessary condition for the culture process on the collective level: what makes possible self-consciousness for any one of us is that which makes possible indirect learning and thus the transmission of human ways of life across generations and distances.

Identity
Anatomy of the Mind 2

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on September 12, 2013

By definition, the will is free: it is always up to the human agency, to the acting self to decide which symbolic tack to take.

By definition, the will is free: it is always up to the human agency, to the acting self to decide which symbolic tack to take.

Identity
The Anatomy of the Mind

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on September 7, 2013

Identity mediates between one’s natural or animal capacities and one’s functioning as a person, one's humanity. A damage to one’s cultural identity will alter mental performance dramatically.

Identity mediates between one’s natural or animal capacities and one’s functioning as a person, one's humanity. A damage to one’s cultural identity will alter mental performance dramatically.

Environment
When Does Human Life Begin?

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on August 16, 2013

Does the possibility that embryos are not human complicate the abortion issue?

Does the possibility that embryos are not human complicate the abortion issue?

Attention
The Death of a Cat

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on July 24, 2013

It is remarkable how meaningful a relationship can one strike sometimes with animal, who is not even one’s pet.

It is remarkable how meaningful a relationship can one strike sometimes with animal, who is not even one’s pet.

Health
Life Is Too Short. Or Is It?

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on July 21, 2013

Medical advances in prolonging life may have unintended consequences.

Medical advances in prolonging life may have unintended consequences.

Loneliness
The Judgment of the People

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on July 14, 2013

Why do we join the French in celebrating Bastille Day?

Why do we join the French in celebrating Bastille Day?

Ethics and Morality
A Break-Up

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on July 12, 2013

A father is heart-broken over the fact that his son is gay. Why?

A father is heart-broken over the fact that his son is gay. Why?

Relationships
A Little Love Affair

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on July 7, 2013

There is love to be found, even at 85, when one answers someone’s cry for help.

There is love to be found, even at 85, when one answers someone’s cry for help.

Depression
The Greatest American Challenge

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on July 4, 2013

Even in the midst of summer and even as we celebrate the Fourth of July, we should not forget that every fourth American student is depressed. Depression may be endangering our country’s future.

Even in the midst of summer and even as we celebrate the Fourth of July, we should not forget that every fourth American student is depressed. Depression may be endangering our country’s future.

Sex
Women And Sex

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on June 27, 2013

Women’s sex-life may be more complicated than we were taught to think. And it's not only because of depression.

Women’s sex-life may be more complicated than we were taught to think. And it's not only because of depression.

Environment
The Mind As Culture in the Brain

Liah Greenfeld Ph.D. on June 23, 2013

While culture can be referred to as “collective mind,” the mind can be conceptualized as “culture in the brain,” or “individualized culture.”

While culture can be referred to as “collective mind,” the mind can be conceptualized as “culture in the brain,” or “individualized culture.”