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The Patterns of Persons

Exploring human individuality

Relationships
Experiencing the Loss of a Pet

Luke D Smillie Ph.D. on December 4, 2020

Our relationships with our pets can be as significant as our human relationships, but we don't always recognize this. This can make the death of a pet more painful than we expect.

Our relationships with our pets can be as significant as our human relationships, but we don't always recognize this. This can make the death of a pet more painful than we expect.

Priming
On Being 'a Voter' in the 2020 U.S. Election

Luke D Smillie Ph.D. on August 30, 2020

After two apparent failures to replicate, evidence for a simple voter-turnout intervention resurfaces. I retrace the steps of this controversy to find out what we have learned.

After two apparent failures to replicate, evidence for a simple voter-turnout intervention resurfaces. I retrace the steps of this controversy to find out what we have learned.

Ethics and Morality
Why Are There So Few Vegetarians?

Luke D Smillie Ph.D. on January 1, 2020

As many commence the month of “veganuary,” often for ethical reasons, I ask why transitioning to a plant-based diet can be so difficult.

As many commence the month of “veganuary,” often for ethical reasons, I ask why transitioning to a plant-based diet can be so difficult.

Personality
Results May Vary

Luke D Smillie Ph.D. on August 20, 2019

Behavior change typically targets the “average” person, so how do we best design interventions when people behave in different ways and respond to different incentives?

Behavior change typically targets the “average” person, so how do we best design interventions when people behave in different ways and respond to different incentives?