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Handy Psychology Answers

The fundamentals and history of the field plus answers from modern psychology to questions of everyday life.

Marriage
What Makes a Marriage Work?

Lisa J. Cohen Ph.D. on May 3, 2011

Even a magnificent royal wedding cannot guarantee a successful marriage. What can psychology tell us about what makes a marriage last and what makes it fail?

Even a magnificent royal wedding cannot guarantee a successful marriage. What can psychology tell us about what makes a marriage last and what makes it fail?

Psychopathy
What Do We Know About Psychopathy?

Lisa J. Cohen Ph.D. on March 14, 2011

Bernie Madoff asks "Am I a sociopath?" Psychologists are more likely to use the term psychopath than sociopath, reflecting our interest in the individual mind. What is a psychopath and what do we know about people who do fit this description?

Bernie Madoff asks "Am I a sociopath?" Psychologists are more likely to use the term psychopath than sociopath, reflecting our interest in the individual mind. What is a psychopath and what do we know about people who do fit this description?

Sex
Does Sexuality Differ for Men and Women?

Lisa J. Cohen Ph.D. on February 14, 2011

Comedians often joke about the differences between men and women when it comes to sex — but what does psychological research have to say about it?

Comedians often joke about the differences between men and women when it comes to sex — but what does psychological research have to say about it?

Relationships
The Psychology of Love

Lisa J. Cohen Ph.D. on February 7, 2011

Poets have written about love perhaps as long as poets have been writing. Psychologists may lack the eloquence of poets, but through empirical research, we can study the nature of love.

Poets have written about love perhaps as long as poets have been writing. Psychologists may lack the eloquence of poets, but through empirical research, we can study the nature of love.

March on Washington, August 28, 1963
Bias
The Psychology of Prejudice and Racism

Lisa J. Cohen Ph.D. on January 24, 2011

Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday draws our attention to the seemingly intractable problem of social prejudice and racism. What can psychology tell us about this important topic?

Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday draws our attention to the seemingly intractable problem of social prejudice and racism. What can psychology tell us about this important topic?