Toward a Less Egoic World

Anger

How to Have Less Disagreeable Disagreements

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 20, 2020

Disagreements can escalate when people become ego-involved and defensive. High-quality listening can short-circuit this process.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

How Egoicism Is Making the Pandemic Worse

Mark Leary Ph.D. on May 19, 2020

Why do some people resist taking small actions to stem the spread of the virus?

Attention

What Makes Someone Humble

Mark Leary Ph.D. on December 4, 2019

We know a great deal about what humble people are like, but what is the central characteristic that makes them humble?

Identity

A Different Kind of Identity

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 23, 2019

Most identities distinguish us from other people. What if our identities connected us with everybody else?

Freudian Psychology

What Is the Ego, and Why Is It So Involved in My Life?

Mark Leary Ph.D. on May 13, 2019

The concept of ego pops up throughout psychology. Learn the differences between egoism, egotism, egocentrism, and egoicism.

Identity

Ideological Identity Adds Fuel to Political Disagreements

Mark Leary Ph.D. on November 27, 2018

Viewing oneself as liberal or conservative creates social distance and fosters animosity toward those who disagree with us. Why turn your political beliefs into an identity?

Personality

Cruelty After the Storm

Mark Leary Ph.D. on October 5, 2018

After a natural disaster, many people rush in to help. Others hurry in to take advantage of the victims.

Personality

The Psychological Core of Unethical, Antisocial People

Mark Leary Ph.D. on August 22, 2018

A single dark trait underlies many negative, hurtful personality characteristics, including narcissism, Machiavellianism, moral disengagement, sadism, and spitefulness.

Relationships

Living With a Know-It-All

Mark Leary Ph.D. on July 19, 2018

Know-it-alls don't seem to know that always thinking they're right can hurt their relationships.

Suicide

Suicide as an Escape From the Self

Mark Leary Ph.D. on June 11, 2018

For many people, suicide is a baffling puzzle. This theory may help it make sense.

Trust

The Case for Ego-Skepticism

Mark Leary Ph.D. on June 8, 2018

Being aware of our unavoidable egocentrism can reduce the degree to which it biases our perceptions, leads to bad decisions, and causes conflict with other people.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness for Millennials

Mark Leary Ph.D. on April 24, 2018

Koru Mindfulness training is helping a new generation of adults manage stress and lead healthier, happier, more balanced lives.

Anxiety

Why People Worry Much More Than They Need To

Mark Leary Ph.D. on March 14, 2018

Anxiety may be a nearly unavoidable feature of human life today because of changes that occurred at the dawn of modern civilization.

Religion

The Problem of Self-Centeredness and the Paradox of Religion

Mark Leary Ph.D. on February 11, 2018

Religious sages throughout history knew that self-preoccupation was a serious problem, but something went wrong.

Law and Crime

Social Vigilantes

Mark Leary Ph.D. on January 14, 2018

Just as vigilantes in the old west took it upon themselves to enforce their views of justice, social vigilantes think it is their duty to tell the rest of us what to believe.