Belief and the Brain

Intelligence

Coping During Turbulent Times

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on June 23, 2020

These have been stressful times with turbulent and painful news, as well as great uncertainty for the future. Here are some steps to help cope.

These have been stressful times with turbulent and painful news, as well as great uncertainty for the future. Here are some steps to help cope.

A little act of kindness can go a long way.

Internet Addiction

Managing Your Child’s Screen Time

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on December 1, 2019

Instead of screen time managing your household.

Instead of screen time managing your household.

Spirituality

The Psychological Consequences of Believing in a Just World

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on September 19, 2019

We teach our children that the world is just and fair to encourage obedience and make them feel safe. But what happens when they learn it is not true?

We teach our children that the world is just and fair to encourage obedience and make them feel safe. But what happens when they learn it is not true?

How to overcome your child's sleep struggles.

Anxiety

5 Ways to Help Someone Battle Depression and Anxiety

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on March 27, 2019

Unsure how to help a friend with depression or anxiety? Here are five ways to help someone who struggles with a mental health disorder.

Unsure how to help a friend with depression or anxiety? Here are five ways to help someone who struggles with a mental health disorder.

Anxiety

A Small Shift, a Big Impact

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on February 9, 2019

Change can be challenging. Taking small steps can lead to big gains.

Change can be challenging. Taking small steps can lead to big gains.

What do you want to teach your anxious child? Perhaps to be brave in the face of anxiety.

Health

Bring the Benefits of Time Off Back to the Office

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on March 6, 2018

What's the best way to take a "mental health day" away from your job? Hint: It's not running errands or doing chores.

What's the best way to take a "mental health day" away from your job? Hint: It's not running errands or doing chores.

Trauma

Coping With the Daily Barrage of Upsetting News

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on December 14, 2017

"Vicarious trauma" from watching too much news may cause changes in thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and inability to stop thinking about the events.

"Vicarious trauma" from watching too much news may cause changes in thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and inability to stop thinking about the events.

Emotion Regulation

‘Tis the Season… for Emotion Regulation

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on November 20, 2017

Find yourself falling into familiar traps during holiday togetherness? You can keep your cool and sidestep problems with these tips.

Find yourself falling into familiar traps during holiday togetherness? You can keep your cool and sidestep problems with these tips.

Our brains take in the details of a mass tragedy, and organize them so that we have a sense of understanding and control --unless information, like motive, is missing.

Worried about the next fire, hurricane, earthquake, or other disaster? We're programmed to be on the watch for threats to our survival. Here's how to remain calm.

Bias

Understanding Hate in the Wake of Charlottesville

Emanuel Maidenberg Ph.D. on August 24, 2017

The tendency to dehumanize the "other" was on display in Charlottesville.

The tendency to dehumanize the "other" was on display in Charlottesville.

Beat confirmation bias by actively seeking out alternative viewpoints in the news.

In these times, then, it is imperative that we remain vigilant to so-called facts that may in reality be alternative facts designed not to educate and inform, but to alarm and sway