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Articles of Heterodoxy

Dispassionate takes on emotive topics.

Career
Quiet Quitting and the Future of Work

Craig Harper Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

Quiet quitting is a new trend in employment to reduce stress and burnout. But what does this phenomenon look like, and what does it mean for the future of work?

Quiet quitting is a new trend in employment to reduce stress and burnout. But what does this phenomenon look like, and what does it mean for the future of work?

Psychopathy
Why Some Psychopaths Succeed

Craig Harper Ph.D. on January 6, 2023

Psychopathy is usually seen as a collection of personality traits leading to negative outcomes, but new data suggest some psychopaths can use their traits to be successful.

Psychopathy is usually seen as a collection of personality traits leading to negative outcomes, but new data suggest some psychopaths can use their traits to be successful.

Narcissism
How Narcissism Is Tearing Us Apart

Craig Harper Ph.D. on December 28, 2022

Modern democratic societies are increasingly polarized along ideological and political lines. One social psychological trait might help us understand why.

Modern democratic societies are increasingly polarized along ideological and political lines. One social psychological trait might help us understand why.

Peter McGraw's benign violations theory of humor suggests that comedy relies on jokes hitting the central sweet-spot in this Venn diagram
Cross-Cultural Psychology
Cancel Culture Will Kill Stand-Up Comedy

Craig Harper Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

Many people state that cancel culture will be the death of comedy as we know it - psychological research can tell us why that is probably the case if we don't reflect on ideology.

Many people state that cancel culture will be the death of comedy as we know it - psychological research can tell us why that is probably the case if we don't reflect on ideology.

Our values guide how we see the world, but can variations in value endorsement explain political polarization?
Intelligence
What Can Studying Values Tell Us About Political Extremism?

Craig Harper Ph.D. on September 5, 2022

As our democracies continue to fracture under the stresses of political polarization, new data shows how values might shape the extent to which somebody endorses extreme positions.

As our democracies continue to fracture under the stresses of political polarization, new data shows how values might shape the extent to which somebody endorses extreme positions.

With pornography's ubiquity in contemporary life, is it time to rethink our assumptions about its association with offending?
Pornography
Most Sex Offenders Do Not Rely on Scripts Learned from Porn

Craig Harper Ph.D. on August 30, 2022

Many assume that those convicted of sexual offenses learn their deviance from pornography, but is this accurate? New research suggests that we might be mistaken in our beliefs.

Many assume that those convicted of sexual offenses learn their deviance from pornography, but is this accurate? New research suggests that we might be mistaken in our beliefs.

Online groups of 'involuntarily celibate' men have hit the headlines in recent years, but little is known of their psychology
Media
Inside the Minds of the Incels

Craig Harper Ph.D. on August 25, 2022

Research shows poor mental health and a sense of interpersonal victimhood characterize groups of involuntarily celibate men, incels, contrasting their portrayal in media coverage.

Research shows poor mental health and a sense of interpersonal victimhood characterize groups of involuntarily celibate men, incels, contrasting their portrayal in media coverage.

Low sexual desire in men can cause of shame and sadness, but new research shows how reappraising sex can be beneficial.
Sex
Reframing Sex Can Improve Well-Being in Men with Low Desire

Craig Harper Ph.D. on August 19, 2022

Low sexual desire among men is more common than most expect, but how can couples effectively cope with this situation together? New data suggests cognitive styles hold the key.

Low sexual desire among men is more common than most expect, but how can couples effectively cope with this situation together? New data suggests cognitive styles hold the key.

Paranormal experiences have a sort of mysticism about them, but what do they tell us about believers' mental wellbeing?
Career
Do Paranormal Beliefs Indicate Poor Mental Health?

Craig Harper Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

People often malign those who believe in the paranormal as "crazy," but new data starts to crack this stereotype. Such beliefs may not always be what they seem.

People often malign those who believe in the paranormal as "crazy," but new data starts to crack this stereotype. Such beliefs may not always be what they seem.

Parental Alienation
The Truth About Parental Alienation

Craig Harper Ph.D. on August 10, 2022

Parental alienation is a term fraught with controversy in the area of domestic abuse research and practice, but what is it? New research reviews demonstrate its existence and meaning.

Parental alienation is a term fraught with controversy in the area of domestic abuse research and practice, but what is it? New research reviews demonstrate its existence and meaning.

False Memories
Why Do We Fall for Fake News?

Craig Harper Ph.D. on July 21, 2022

In our hyper-connected world, access to the news is ever-present. But how do we interpret different media stories, and what can we do to maximize the accuracy of our sharing?

In our hyper-connected world, access to the news is ever-present. But how do we interpret different media stories, and what can we do to maximize the accuracy of our sharing?

Sex
Why Fairer Relationships Lead to Better Sex Lives

Craig Harper Ph.D. on July 15, 2022

Many women report low sexual desire within their relationships. New research suggests that focusing on relationship dynamics and fairness might be the key to fixing this issue.

Many women report low sexual desire within their relationships. New research suggests that focusing on relationship dynamics and fairness might be the key to fixing this issue.

Small cartoon icons are increasingly becoming a part of our interpersonal strategies, but what do they communicate to others?
Career
Emojis Can Help You Communicate Quickly and Clearly

Craig Harper Ph.D. on July 7, 2022

Emoji use is increasingly common in technological communication, but little is known about how these images are interpreted. New data reveals a promising result for emoji perception.

Emoji use is increasingly common in technological communication, but little is known about how these images are interpreted. New data reveals a promising result for emoji perception.

Health
How a Good Relationship Boosts Mental Health

Craig Harper Ph.D. on July 1, 2022

The relationships that we have are vital for maintaining our mental health. New research shows how expanding our self-identity to incorporate our partners enhances this effect.

The relationships that we have are vital for maintaining our mental health. New research shows how expanding our self-identity to incorporate our partners enhances this effect.

Conspiracy thinking is on the rise - even within groups.
Narcissism
When Suspicion of Others Is Turned on the Ingroup

Craig Harper Ph.D. on June 23, 2022

Conspiracy beliefs are on the rise and are commonly thought to be weaponized by fringe groups. However, new research suggests that such groups also turn these beliefs on their own.

Conspiracy beliefs are on the rise and are commonly thought to be weaponized by fringe groups. However, new research suggests that such groups also turn these beliefs on their own.

Attention
Do Asexual Individuals Look Differently at Sexual Images?

Craig Harper Ph.D. on June 19, 2022

With where we look being an indicator of our attraction patterns, can eye gaze confirm asexuality? New data suggests how asexuals look differently at erotic images compared to other people.

With where we look being an indicator of our attraction patterns, can eye gaze confirm asexuality? New data suggests how asexuals look differently at erotic images compared to other people.

Collective action is on the rise in many western democracies.
Motivation
Emotional and Problem-Focused Activism

Craig Harper Ph.D. on June 15, 2022

Forming a new social movement? Data from a new research program suggests appealing to the emotion of injustice might be the best way to get people involved in collective action.

Forming a new social movement? Data from a new research program suggests appealing to the emotion of injustice might be the best way to get people involved in collective action.