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Showing posts with the label psychology

Why are we so concerned with who’s to blame?

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Why are we so concerned with who’s to blame? How our blame instinct soothes us, sabotages us, and what to try instead     Big-picture framing Why are we so concerned with who’s to blame—at work, in politics, in our relationships? Because blame promises something we crave: clarity and control. The moment something goes wrong, our brains reach for a simple story with a clear villain, even when the real explanation is messier and shared. That habit can feel satisfying in the moment but quietly undermines trust, learning, and problem-solving. In this article, we’ll unpack why the “who’s to blame” instinct is so strong, how it shapes culture, and how to shift toward responsibility and repair without sacrificing accountability. 1. Why your brain reaches for blame so fast Think about the last time something went sideways—a project tanked, a plan fell apart, a conversation blew up. How long did it take before a name popped into your mind? That speed is not an accident. Blame is your b...

What Does Waiting Do to a Person?

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What Does Waiting Do to a Person? How time on pause rewires your brain, body, and sense of control Snapshot Overview What  waiting does to a person  is more powerful than we usually admit. In those in-between moments—waiting for a reply, a diagnosis, a promotion—your brain, body, and story about yourself are all quietly shifting. Neuroscience shows that uncertainty can light up the brain’s threat and prediction systems more than clear bad news, which is why waiting feels so intense. The effects of waiting can be harmful (stress, rumination) or surprisingly helpful (clarity, perspective, resilience), depending on what you do with that space. This post explores the psychology and brain science of waiting, why it can be both painful and revealing, and how to turn it from passive suffering into active insight. Why Waiting Feels So Hard Waiting is your brain’s least favorite combo:  high stakes, low control, fuzzy timeline . Psychologically, uncertainty is often more stressful...

Why Do We Let the Selfish Rule the World?

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  Why Do We Let the Selfish Rule the World? Power, Psychology, and the Perks of Looking Out for Number One Ever watched someone rise to power and thought,  “How did they get there?”  You’re not alone. From corporate boardrooms to political podiums, the people who ascend to the top aren’t always the most compassionate—or even the most competent. Often, they’re simply the boldest. This post explores the psychological and systemic reasons we let selfish individuals lead, what it reveals about us, and how we might turn the tide. Keyword:  selfish leaders . Let’s examine what our systems reward—and how we can change the rules of the game. The Psychology Behind Power and Selfishness Power doesn’t always corrupt—it often attracts those already drawn to it. Psychologists talk about the “dark triad”: narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. People with these traits are disproportionately likely to seek leadership, especially in competitive environments. Why? Because pow...

Why Do People Who Have Money Get More Attention?

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Why Do People Who Have Money Get More Attention? The psychology, bias, and media dynamics behind wealth’s spotlight—and what this reveals about human nature   Framing the Question Why do wealthy people’s words carry more weight than the rest of ours—sometimes even in areas where they have no expertise? From tech moguls giving health advice to athletes weighing in on economic policy, money often seems to serve as an all-access pass to public credibility. This isn’t just cultural conditioning—it’s the product of deep evolutionary wiring, social bias, and the mechanics of the modern attention economy. Understanding  why  money commands attention helps us spot when we’re hearing wisdom—and when we’re just hearing a wallet talk. The Paradox of Financial Wisdom When Elizabeth Holmes was worth $4.5 billion on paper, her every comment about healthcare innovation was treated like gospel. After her fraud conviction, when her net worth fell to zero, those same ideas suddenly seemed ...