Verified by Psychology Today

Out of the Darkness

The science of post-traumatic growth.

Saddam Hussein
Psychopathy
The Roots of Evil

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 11, 2024

Psychopaths and dark triad personalities show the same pattern of childhood trauma and emotional deprivation. They are not born but made.

Psychopaths and dark triad personalities show the same pattern of childhood trauma and emotional deprivation. They are not born but made.

Swedenborg
Near-Death Experiences
Is It Possible to Foresee Death?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Some people appear to know in advance the date of their death. In near-death experiences, people may be told that it is "not your time yet." Is this an example of precognition?

Some people appear to know in advance the date of their death. In near-death experiences, people may be told that it is "not your time yet." Is this an example of precognition?

Creativity
The Transcendent Creativity of The Beatles

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 2, 2023

The Beatles were—and are—so inspirational and popular because their intense "group flow" enabled them to transmit creativity at a powerful and transcendent level.

The Beatles were—and are—so inspirational and popular because their intense "group flow" enabled them to transmit creativity at a powerful and transcendent level.

Psychopathy
Why Do Psychopaths Crave Power?

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on October 25, 2023

Pyschopaths are drawn to power and wealth like moths to a flame because of their inner emptiness and incompleteness.

Pyschopaths are drawn to power and wealth like moths to a flame because of their inner emptiness and incompleteness.

Psychology
Selling Human Nature Short

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Let’s teach psychology students about the positive aspects of human nature, rather than highlighting the negative. Early flawed theories and studies have "sold human nature short."

Let’s teach psychology students about the positive aspects of human nature, rather than highlighting the negative. Early flawed theories and studies have "sold human nature short."

Géza Maróczy - who allegedly played chess through a medium
Parapsychology
Inexplicable Communications

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on August 13, 2023

Although many mediums may be frauds, there are some unusual cases that have never been explained. Recent scientific studies show some support for the idea of mediumship.

Although many mediums may be frauds, there are some unusual cases that have never been explained. Recent scientific studies show some support for the idea of mediumship.

Trauma
When Empathy Switches Off

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on July 26, 2023

Serial killers and fascist dictators share a pattern of early childhood abuse and neglect, which switches off their empathy. But why do some emerge from trauma unscathed?

Serial killers and fascist dictators share a pattern of early childhood abuse and neglect, which switches off their empathy. But why do some emerge from trauma unscathed?

Empathy
Why People Rush to Engage in Heroic Altruism

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

Emergencies often feature acts of heroic altruism. Why do people impulsively risk their lives for others? Because we are interconnected through empathy.

Emergencies often feature acts of heroic altruism. Why do people impulsively risk their lives for others? Because we are interconnected through empathy.

Hypnosis
Why Some People Hand Their Lives Over to Cults

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on May 1, 2023

Why do some followers blindly worship cult leaders, gurus, and political leaders? The "abdication syndrome" may be so powerful that it becomes an altered state of consciousness.

Why do some followers blindly worship cult leaders, gurus, and political leaders? The "abdication syndrome" may be so powerful that it becomes an altered state of consciousness.

Spirituality
Why Unexplainable Events Are Common as Loved Ones Die

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on April 8, 2023

Many unusual experiences are reported by people who witness the deaths of others, or who are connected to a dying person, including spiritual experiences, and "crisis apparitions."

Many unusual experiences are reported by people who witness the deaths of others, or who are connected to a dying person, including spiritual experiences, and "crisis apparitions."

Gill Hicks underwent a shift in purpose after a terrorist attack.
Altruism
A Transformation of Purpose: From Selfishness to Altruism

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on February 9, 2023

After traumatic life events, some people undergo a shift in purpose. The main purpose of their lives is no longer to accumulate success or possessions but to help others.

After traumatic life events, some people undergo a shift in purpose. The main purpose of their lives is no longer to accumulate success or possessions but to help others.

Van Gogh's Chair
Attention
Looking at the World with New Eyes

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

A Personal Perspective: When our surroundings are familiar, we barely pay attention to them. But sometimes there is a shift, and we gain access to a more intense reality.

A Personal Perspective: When our surroundings are familiar, we barely pay attention to them. But sometimes there is a shift, and we gain access to a more intense reality.

Steve with his young son Ted
Parenting
The Path of the Parent

Steve Taylor Ph.D. on November 20, 2022

Parenthood is often tiring and taxing, but it can be a path of personal development, helping us  to develop traits like mindfulness and altruism.

Parenthood is often tiring and taxing, but it can be a path of personal development, helping us  to develop traits like mindfulness and altruism.