The Pathways of Experience

Catastrophizing

Catastrophizing: Why We Proclaim Our Worst Fears

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on May 7, 2024

Is fearing the worst a way of protecting, or even enhancing, the self?

Is fearing the worst a way of protecting, or even enhancing, the self?

Deception

Deception: Here's How We Fool Others—and Ourselves

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on April 15, 2024

Usually, our attempts to misdirect others are efforts to convince ourselves we are the people we say we are.

Usually, our attempts to misdirect others are efforts to convince ourselves we are the people we say we are.

Career

What's Wrong with Life Today? Here Are Some Famous Answers

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on March 25, 2024

Ultimately our better selves, like our worse ones, are collective affairs, and we must work together to achieve them.

Ultimately our better selves, like our worse ones, are collective affairs, and we must work together to achieve them.

Happiness

Looking for Happiness in All the Wrong Places?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on March 5, 2024

There is wisdom in both the Western and Eastern approaches to happiness. Learn to recognize those benefits.

There is wisdom in both the Western and Eastern approaches to happiness. Learn to recognize those benefits.

Time Management

Making Time: How to Create the Moments of Our Lives

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on February 6, 2024

"Quality time" does not happen merely by blocking out a couple of hours from the work week. It must be "made."

"Quality time" does not happen merely by blocking out a couple of hours from the work week. It must be "made."

Anxiety

Holiday Gift-Giving: What It Means and Why We Worry About It

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

When we exchange presents, we tell others who we think they are and how we value our relationship with them.

When we exchange presents, we tell others who we think they are and how we value our relationship with them.

Identity

Why People Feel the Need to Announce Their Dislikes

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on December 1, 2023

Quirkiness can be a charming characteristic. Crankiness is a different matter. Which one describes you?

Quirkiness can be a charming characteristic. Crankiness is a different matter. Which one describes you?

Relationships

Communication Styles as Self-Expression: Which One Is Yours?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

Are you aware of your own communication style and how it affects your relationships? Consider these issues.

Are you aware of your own communication style and how it affects your relationships? Consider these issues.

Social Life

Rethinking Self-Disclosure: When Should We Tell Our Secrets?

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on October 23, 2023

We like to think we control the personal information we share with others. But they acquire it in many ways.

We like to think we control the personal information we share with others. But they acquire it in many ways.

Rationalization

False Necessities: How We Rationalize Our Choices

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on September 13, 2023

Does your decision-making feature reasons or rationalizations? Answer these five questions.

Does your decision-making feature reasons or rationalizations? Answer these five questions.

Identity

Our Social Identity: What We Do to Protect It

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on September 7, 2023

Increasingly, we interact with unfamiliar others, both face-to-face and online. What challenges does that pose to who we are?

Increasingly, we interact with unfamiliar others, both face-to-face and online. What challenges does that pose to who we are?

Marriage

The 4 Types of Marriage

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on July 24, 2023

Every type of marriage has its own dangers. Do you recognize them?

Every type of marriage has its own dangers. Do you recognize them?

Education

What Play Teaches Us

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on June 24, 2023

Play honors the role of everyone in knowledge-making. We need that openness now more than ever.

Play honors the role of everyone in knowledge-making. We need that openness now more than ever.

Habit Formation

Bad Habits: How Some Routines Undermine Our Better Selves

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on May 19, 2023

Our routine behaviors are very much connected to our visions of self and to the fundamental behaviors we employ to reinforce those visions.

Our routine behaviors are very much connected to our visions of self and to the fundamental behaviors we employ to reinforce those visions.

Friends

Moving On: Narratives Help Motivate Us to Change Our Lives

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

For complicated life shifts, we need narratives, publicly acceptable stories of why we're moving on.

For complicated life shifts, we need narratives, publicly acceptable stories of why we're moving on.

Friends

Why It's Hard for Many Men to Form Close Friendships

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on April 7, 2023

Most of my male friends through the years have been charming people who like to talk about their own activities. Precious few have been good listeners.

Most of my male friends through the years have been charming people who like to talk about their own activities. Precious few have been good listeners.

Happiness

3 Ways to Find Your Happy Place, Wherever You Are

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on January 27, 2023

The art of happiness is the application of the right frames of interpretation to life events.

The art of happiness is the application of the right frames of interpretation to life events.

Friends

The Selfie: It's a Lifestyle Now

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on January 14, 2023

Personal Perspective: Most of us partake of the "selfie mentality," but does it lead to problems?

Personal Perspective: Most of us partake of the "selfie mentality," but does it lead to problems?

Relationships

Can You Take "It" With You? Reflections on Life Planning

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on December 22, 2022

Is the money we earn “ours” to do with as we wish or is it simply one element in a family’s requirements of living?

Is the money we earn “ours” to do with as we wish or is it simply one element in a family’s requirements of living?

Animal Behavior

People and Pets: Why We Love Our Animal Friends

Thomas Henricks Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

My students argue that pets are "nicer than people." Is that true?

My students argue that pets are "nicer than people." Is that true?