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One Among Many

The self in social context

Happiness
Chess, Happiness, and Chance

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 14, 2024

Chess is a laboratory for human reasoning, self-regulation, and mood. When people play, happiness maximization may not be their goal, or it’s a fool’s errand.

Chess is a laboratory for human reasoning, self-regulation, and mood. When people play, happiness maximization may not be their goal, or it’s a fool’s errand.

Career
The Waiting Game

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on March 17, 2024

Making others wait is a power move, and it may fail. When the other party walks away from a joint project, be it work or a social engagement, everyone is worse off.

Making others wait is a power move, and it may fail. When the other party walks away from a joint project, be it work or a social engagement, everyone is worse off.

Relationships
Lawrence Durrell on Love

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on January 14, 2024

The tragic and illusory side of love does not get much play in academic psychology. Literature can fill the gap. Consider Lawrence Durrell’s “Balthazar."

The tragic and illusory side of love does not get much play in academic psychology. Literature can fill the gap. Consider Lawrence Durrell’s “Balthazar."

Social Life
The Psychology of Bluffing

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on September 29, 2023

Social games allowing bluffs are both attractive and scary. Absent keen and accurate insight into the psychology of the bluffer, the opponent may resort to an equilibrium strategy.

Social games allowing bluffs are both attractive and scary. Absent keen and accurate insight into the psychology of the bluffer, the opponent may resort to an equilibrium strategy.

Altruism
The Jilted Samaritan

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on August 31, 2023

Offering volunteer help when asked deserves credit. When the offer is sought out but then rejected, the would-be altruist feels resentment.

Offering volunteer help when asked deserves credit. When the offer is sought out but then rejected, the would-be altruist feels resentment.

Parapsychology
Postmaterialist Psychology Has Arrived

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 22, 2023

Personal Perspective: The human mind is called upon to awaken to a higher consciousness, or at least so say some post-materialist authors. It is worth the trip?

Personal Perspective: The human mind is called upon to awaken to a higher consciousness, or at least so say some post-materialist authors. It is worth the trip?

Anger
The Intimidation Game

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

Intimidation and bullying is an unfortunate feature of life. Often, such forms of aggression reduce to bluffing. The trick is to know when.

Intimidation and bullying is an unfortunate feature of life. Often, such forms of aggression reduce to bluffing. The trick is to know when.

Bullying
Power and Inaction

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on October 24, 2022

Nonreactivity is an effective, if nonobvious, path to power. You may achieve more by doing less.

Nonreactivity is an effective, if nonobvious, path to power. You may achieve more by doing less.

Humor
Humor and Persuasion

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on September 24, 2022

Humor succeeds or fails depending on the audience’s preferences and sensibilities. Therefore, knowing one’s audience is as important in comedy as in persuasion.

Humor succeeds or fails depending on the audience’s preferences and sensibilities. Therefore, knowing one’s audience is as important in comedy as in persuasion.

Intelligence
A Reverse Ultimatum Game

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on July 6, 2022

The ultimatum game is famous for giving veto power to those receiving an offer. However, making an offer first protects a party from being exploited.

The ultimatum game is famous for giving veto power to those receiving an offer. However, making an offer first protects a party from being exploited.

Persuasion
Persuasion as Performance

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on June 11, 2022

To get what you want, you may need to persuade others to see things your way, while making them believe that they win.

To get what you want, you may need to persuade others to see things your way, while making them believe that they win.

Psychology
Understanding Games of Baiting and Daring

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 13, 2022

Dostoevsky describes social games in "The Gambler." A psychological analysis of these games can help guard against being played in the world beyond literature.

Dostoevsky describes social games in "The Gambler." A psychological analysis of these games can help guard against being played in the world beyond literature.

Prisoner's dilemma
Teamwork
Cooperation and Defection in Two Social Games

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 9, 2022

An understanding of the prisoner’s dilemma and the game of chicken can help lead us through difficult interpersonal encounters, where our outcomes are independent.

An understanding of the prisoner’s dilemma and the game of chicken can help lead us through difficult interpersonal encounters, where our outcomes are independent.

Forgiveness
Guilt and Power

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on May 2, 2022

Guilt trips are cheaper than other trips and no less damaging. A game-theoretic analysis advises not to travel.

Guilt trips are cheaper than other trips and no less damaging. A game-theoretic analysis advises not to travel.

Memory
The Dilution of Homeopathy

Joachim I. Krueger Ph.D. on April 21, 2022

Homeopathy and the popular belief in its efficacy is a test case for what people are willing to believe—apparently, a lot.

Homeopathy and the popular belief in its efficacy is a test case for what people are willing to believe—apparently, a lot.