How Do You Think?

Partisan Belief Superiority and Dogmatism as a Source of Political Gridlock

by Gerald GuildMorality, Politics, Psychology November 28, 2013January 17, 2024One Comment

Are you sick and tired of politicians and their antics throughout the United States? Regardless of your political orientation, this is likely the case. Over the last 20 years there has been a rising tide of bitter partisanship, leaving a large contingent of US Citizens feeling frustrated and disenfranchised. Meanwhile both parties point their fingers …

American Exceptionalism: I’m all for it!

by Gerald GuildCrime, Education, Healthcare, Politics, Poverty, Socioeconomic Status November 3, 2013January 17, 20243 Comments

It is often argued that the United States is exceptional with regard to its capabilities and responsibilities. With respect to its military prowess, and defense budget, it is certainly exceptional. I am curious however. To what extent is the US exceptional in other important ways? Is the US the envy of the world with regard …

Who Cheats More: The Rich or the Poor?

by Gerald GuildCorporate Crime, Crime, Poverty, Psychology, Socioeconomic Status March 30, 2013January 17, 20242 Comments

It is widely believed that as a society, we are heavily burdened by freeloaders who are content with living off the fruits of others’ labor. Inherent in this belief is the idea that the poor are more likely to be cheaters. This notion is core to the ideology that fuels the discontent of many on …

Cheaters

by Gerald GuildCorporate Crime, Politics, Poverty, Socioeconomic Status, White-Collar Crime March 17, 2013March 31, 20132 Comments

Nobody likes a cheater. Such acts may stir deep feelings of loathing that erode trust and have ruinous consequences with regard to reputation and relationship. It’s one of those things that is hard to overcome. I’m not just talking about infidelity here. I’m referring to a broader type that does include infidelity, but also includes …

Crime, Punishment, and Entitlements: A Deeper Look

by Gerald GuildCorporate Crime, Crime, Politics, Poverty, Socioeconomic Status, White-Collar Crime February 9, 2013January 1, 20146 Comments

The true costs of crime are difficult to calculate. Different types of crimes inflict substantially varying societal costs. Violent crimes alone cost Americans about $50 billion dollars a year according to a report from the Center for American Progress.1 It is estimated that the costs of pain and suffering borne by the victims of violence …

Mind Pops: Memories From Out of the Blue

by Gerald GuildAdaptive Unconscious, Memory, Psychology January 6, 201315 Comments

Out to dinner recently, a friend and I were discussing an organization whose name implies one thing, when in actuality, what they promote is entirely the opposite. We both racked our brains to come up with the name of that organization with no success. Days later, without any recent thought of the elusive name – …

2012 – A Year in Review: How Do You Think?

by Gerald GuildBiology, Education, Erroneous Thinking, Evolution, Happiness, Morality, Neurology, Parenting, Politics, Poverty, Psychology, Rational Thought, Religion, Socioeconomic Status December 31, 2012December 8, 2013No Comments

Although I did not make a substantial number of posts in 2012, the traffic to my site doubled. Throughout 2012 my blog had 35,819 hits from 31,960 unique visitors, accounting for over 46,720 page views. I had visitors from every state in the US and visits from people from 165 nations around the world. Visitors …

Autism and the DSM-5

by Gerald GuildAutism, Psychology December 19, 2012April 10, 2013No Comments

There has been a lot of talk in the media about the forthcoming DSM-5 and the diagnosis of Autism. The DSM-5 is the Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual used by Doctors to make diagnoses pertaining to Autism and other behavioral and mental health disorders. There are in fact two major changes in …

The Power of an Apology

by Gerald GuildHappiness, Psychology November 15, 2012November 15, 2012No Comments

Saying “I’m sorry” can be very difficult for some of us. We routinely make mistakes. As coined by Alexander Pope: “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” Within any interpersonal relationship there will be inadvertent missteps or even acts of anger that hurt those close to us. Its not a matter of if, it’s a …

The Guilt – Empathy Connection

by Gerald GuildAdaptive Unconscious, Psychology November 1, 2012December 3, 20124 Comments

Sometimes the quietest moments are the most troubling. Serenity seems to occasionally pave the way for a sequence of thoughts triggered by a song or a smell, or anything really, that ushers in a blast from the past. A cavalcade of memories then flow forth both effortlessly and seamlessly. And all of this occurs outside …