In Spite of Yourself

Parenting

Parenting Under the Influence

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on December 3, 2020

Is parents' overuse of technology and the internet exposing their children to excessive fake attention and approval?

Is parents' overuse of technology and the internet exposing their children to excessive fake attention and approval?

Attention

Feelings: You Don't Have a Vote

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on November 11, 2020

When it comes to feelings, are you trying to control the uncontrollable?

When it comes to feelings, are you trying to control the uncontrollable?

Relationships

Is Your Internal Smoke Alarm Set Off by Your Relationship?

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on February 5, 2020

Managing internal alarm through recognition, approval, and importance (RAi) can make you stronger and more confident in your relationships.

Managing internal alarm through recognition, approval, and importance (RAi) can make you stronger and more confident in your relationships.

Happiness

The Art Of Focus

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on December 6, 2019

Moving from self-conscious to other-conscious is an art form. Doing it is the path to resilience and happiness.

Moving from self-conscious to other-conscious is an art form. Doing it is the path to resilience and happiness.

Attention

I Can't Help Myself—Bad Habits

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on October 15, 2019

I can't believe that I did that again! It didn't work last time. How come we don't or can't learn. I just want to be able to do what I know I should do. Why can't I?

I can't believe that I did that again! It didn't work last time. How come we don't or can't learn. I just want to be able to do what I know I should do. Why can't I?

Happiness

Feelings First or Second: The Pursuit of Happiness

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on September 24, 2019

Western culture puts feelings first.

Western culture puts feelings first.

Are extremism and terrorism natural and inevitable human responses? Can we raise our kids differently to prevent Groundhog Day?

Career

Resisting Manipulation: Things You Can Do

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on September 13, 2018

Trying not to be sensitive is like trying not to breathe. Less 'faking' your feelings and more 'taking' your feelings makes you a hard target for manipulation.

Trying not to be sensitive is like trying not to breathe. Less 'faking' your feelings and more 'taking' your feelings makes you a hard target for manipulation.

Fear

Resisting Manipulation: What You Need to Know

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on September 12, 2018

Feel that you make wrong choices too often, or that you are being used or that you give in too easily? Here's a start to stop.

Feel that you make wrong choices too often, or that you are being used or that you give in too easily? Here's a start to stop.

Why do I keep letting people treat me badly? Why won't I even try? Why can't I accept my success?

Parenting

Crybaby Parenting

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on February 26, 2018

Is it us adults who are the crybabies?

Is it us adults who are the crybabies?

Unconscious

Being Happy in Spite of Yourself

Robert Dawson Ph.D. on February 4, 2018

Evolutionary psychology points the finger at instinct as the cause of our feelings. We cannot consciously choose our feelings and we cannot change them with a thought.

Evolutionary psychology points the finger at instinct as the cause of our feelings. We cannot consciously choose our feelings and we cannot change them with a thought.