Moral Landscapes

Child Development

Childhood Experiences Matter for Adult Well-being

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on November 7, 2021

The effects of trauma in early life are mitigated by humanity's evolved nest.

The effects of trauma in early life are mitigated by humanity's evolved nest.

Intelligence

Indigenous Self-Actualization Is Communal

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on October 31, 2021

Did you know that Maslow's self-actualization theory was inspired by the Blackfoot tribe? He got some things right and some wrong.

Did you know that Maslow's self-actualization theory was inspired by the Blackfoot tribe? He got some things right and some wrong.

Ethics and Morality

Humility Is a Dynamic Embodied Capacity

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on October 24, 2021

American culture could benefit from more humility, especially towards the basic needs of children.

American culture could benefit from more humility, especially towards the basic needs of children.

Relationships

Inflammation, the Root of Disease, Is Pervasive

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on October 15, 2021

Nearly every modern illness can be traced to inflammation. And nearly every kind of system we live in today leads to inflammation.

Nearly every modern illness can be traced to inflammation. And nearly every kind of system we live in today leads to inflammation.

Attachment

How We Succumb to Totalist Organizations

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on October 8, 2021

Are you wondering how some people can be suckered into a cult? It's rather easy, unless you know what to watch for.

Are you wondering how some people can be suckered into a cult? It's rather easy, unless you know what to watch for.

Parenting

Parenting Your Child's Immature Brain

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on October 2, 2021

Can parenting of young children be fun? Yes, if you understand their immature brain functions, avoid getting triggered yourself, and use playful imagination to meet their needs.

Can parenting of young children be fun? Yes, if you understand their immature brain functions, avoid getting triggered yourself, and use playful imagination to meet their needs.

Stress

What Children Need Most

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on September 17, 2021

Critical in the life of a baby is ongoing biobehavioral synchrony with parents: coordination of heart rhythms, autonomic function, brain oscillations, and hormone release.

Critical in the life of a baby is ongoing biobehavioral synchrony with parents: coordination of heart rhythms, autonomic function, brain oscillations, and hormone release.

Wisdom

How Has Humanity Lost Practical Wisdom?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on September 10, 2021

Over 99% of human history was spent in nomadic foraging communities that typically exhibit practical wisdom. What happened to us?

Over 99% of human history was spent in nomadic foraging communities that typically exhibit practical wisdom. What happened to us?

Play

Why Is Play Good for Young Children?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on September 4, 2021

Our just published study provides more evidence for the importance of play on healthy development.

Our just published study provides more evidence for the importance of play on healthy development.

Anxiety

Manage Your Four Characters: Judgy, Anxious, Friendly, Open

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on August 31, 2021

Understanding how our mind shifts into different characters helps us learn to manage them.

Understanding how our mind shifts into different characters helps us learn to manage them.

Triggers and triggering are a concern in trauma-informed practices. There are multiple ways to explain the process of triggering.

People who don't heal their trauma pass it on to others--children, family, community, culture.

Autism

Breast Milk Is Medicine for Babies

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on August 9, 2021

If you think a child's development in the long term is not affected by lack of breast milk, read this.

If you think a child's development in the long term is not affected by lack of breast milk, read this.

Adolescence

The Amazing Adolescent Brain: Appreciate and Nurture It

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on August 1, 2021

Adolescence is a time for learning skills like self testing, deeply connecting with others, and forging one's own path. Here are guideposts from a clinical psychiatrist.

Adolescence is a time for learning skills like self testing, deeply connecting with others, and forging one's own path. Here are guideposts from a clinical psychiatrist.

Parenting

Are You a Connected or Controlling Parent?

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on July 19, 2021

Busy parents who take the time to connect with their children save a lot of time in the end.

Busy parents who take the time to connect with their children save a lot of time in the end.

Psychology

A Different View of Wellness

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on July 11, 2021

Wellness is a function of the quality of our relationships with others, including Creation, or nature, according to Indigenous psychology.

Wellness is a function of the quality of our relationships with others, including Creation, or nature, according to Indigenous psychology.

Psychology

Colonial Psychology: The Psychology We All Recognize

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on July 5, 2021

Colonialism colonized psychology too, hobbling its worldview and its application with what Indigenous peoples consider myths.

Colonialism colonized psychology too, hobbling its worldview and its application with what Indigenous peoples consider myths.

Child Development

Democracy Starts with Babies and Responsive, Nested Care

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on June 27, 2021

Democracies may fail when their citizens lack the skills needed for democratic citizenship.

Democracies may fail when their citizens lack the skills needed for democratic citizenship.

Parenting

How Not to Be an Angry, Controlling Parent

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on June 23, 2021

U.S. parenting culture and practices increase anxiety in parent and child. Traditional societies know techniques that support calm and well-being in parent and child.

U.S. parenting culture and practices increase anxiety in parent and child. Traditional societies know techniques that support calm and well-being in parent and child.

Trauma

Healthy Development and Trauma-Informed Practice

Darcia F. Narvaez Ph.D. on May 28, 2021

Healthy child development involves regulation, relationships, and reason.

Healthy child development involves regulation, relationships, and reason.