Insight Therapy

Therapy

The Most Important Question in Therapy

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on September 1, 2022

Psychological suffering often results from misguided attempts at avoiding distress and discomfort. Therefore, exploring avoidance habits may yield useful insight.

Psychological suffering often results from misguided attempts at avoiding distress and discomfort. Therefore, exploring avoidance habits may yield useful insight.

Depression

Depression Is Not Caused by Chemical Imbalance in the Brain

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on July 24, 2022

Much of what you may have been taught to think about depression—and depression treatment—is wrong.

Much of what you may have been taught to think about depression—and depression treatment—is wrong.

Loneliness

Why Social Isolation Is Worse Than Loneliness

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on July 1, 2022

When it comes to your health, it’s not how lonely you feel—it’s how isolated you are.

When it comes to your health, it’s not how lonely you feel—it’s how isolated you are.

Play

Top Performers Do Not Give the Best Advice

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on June 1, 2022

When looking to learn a skill, you may be wise to consult a good teacher, rather than a top expert.

When looking to learn a skill, you may be wise to consult a good teacher, rather than a top expert.

Sex

The Facts About Casual Sex

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on May 2, 2022

Those who engage in it fit no set psychological profile.

Those who engage in it fit no set psychological profile.

Agreeableness

The Psychology of Niceness

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on April 1, 2022

Agreeableness is best viewed as a capacity for love. While it may make you vulnerable in certain ways, its impact on both individuals and society is profoundly positive.

Agreeableness is best viewed as a capacity for love. While it may make you vulnerable in certain ways, its impact on both individuals and society is profoundly positive.

DSM

High Hopes for the Diagnostic Model HiTOP

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on March 1, 2022

The limitations of the current diagnostic system have long been an open secret to researchers and clinicians. A change is overdue and may be forthcoming.

The limitations of the current diagnostic system have long been an open secret to researchers and clinicians. A change is overdue and may be forthcoming.

Relationships

Slobbery Secrets: Sharing Saliva Is Surprisingly Significant

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on February 1, 2022

Saliva-sharing interactions provide cues of “thick relationships,” which infants use to make predictions about subsequent social interactions

Saliva-sharing interactions provide cues of “thick relationships,” which infants use to make predictions about subsequent social interactions

Health

Is Mental Health Stigma Decreasing? It’s Complicated

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on January 1, 2022

Most people may believe that stigma is simply a negative attitude about something. Yet research suggests that stigmas, like most everything else in life, are complex constructs.

Most people may believe that stigma is simply a negative attitude about something. Yet research suggests that stigmas, like most everything else in life, are complex constructs.

Anger

Psychological Immaturity Threatens Our Democracy

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on November 13, 2021

The drunken airplane passenger who throws a punch in self-righteous rage embodies our moment of cultural immaturity

The drunken airplane passenger who throws a punch in self-righteous rage embodies our moment of cultural immaturity

Ethics and Morality

Is Morality Genetic?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on November 2, 2021

We often assume that differences in people's moral positions are the result of their upbringing and social experiences. Evolutionary science begs to differ.

We often assume that differences in people's moral positions are the result of their upbringing and social experiences. Evolutionary science begs to differ.

Relationships

Coronababies or Covidivorces: COVID's Effects on Couples

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on October 4, 2021

Has the pandemic hurt or helped our intimate relationships?

Has the pandemic hurt or helped our intimate relationships?

Social Networking

Why You Should Talk to Strangers

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on September 1, 2021

Strong social ties benefit mental health and well-being. So can weak ties.

Strong social ties benefit mental health and well-being. So can weak ties.

Health

Two Societal Conversations Spurred by Simone Biles

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on August 1, 2021

Mental health resides in our willingness to acknowledge without shame both mental and physical injuries; it manifests, too, in our ability to acknowledge and learn from failure.

Mental health resides in our willingness to acknowledge without shame both mental and physical injuries; it manifests, too, in our ability to acknowledge and learn from failure.

Suicide

Why Are U.S. Soldiers Killing Themselves?

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on July 1, 2021

A recent study has concluded that US soldiers die at their own hands at four times the rate of dying at the hands of any enemy.

A recent study has concluded that US soldiers die at their own hands at four times the rate of dying at the hands of any enemy.

Attention

Early TV and Attention Problems: A New Analysis of the Data

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on June 9, 2021

The last word is rarely spoken in the social sciences.

The last word is rarely spoken in the social sciences.

Health

New Data on Tech Use and Mental Health: Trends Over Time

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on June 6, 2021

It is a seeming human paradox that novel stimuli attract us, yet also foster suspicion and dread.

It is a seeming human paradox that novel stimuli attract us, yet also foster suspicion and dread.

Relationships

The Life Benefits of Contemplating Death

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on May 12, 2021

In our daily lives we are often zombie-like, stuck on automatic pilot, zoomed in on mundane troubles. The presence of death calls us back to our senses, literally.

In our daily lives we are often zombie-like, stuck on automatic pilot, zoomed in on mundane troubles. The presence of death calls us back to our senses, literally.

Punishment

Good News: Parents Are Spanking Their Children Less

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on March 30, 2021

A strong argument against spanking can be advanced, based on two separate claims: 1. It is a risk factor for child development. 2. It is morally suspect.

A strong argument against spanking can be advanced, based on two separate claims: 1. It is a risk factor for child development. 2. It is morally suspect.

Self-Esteem

Recalling Competence: A New Technique for Mental Resilience

Noam Shpancer Ph.D. on March 16, 2021

To deal with emotional upheaval, it may help to remember your past competence, not your past happiness.

To deal with emotional upheaval, it may help to remember your past competence, not your past happiness.