People engage in creative thinking every day, whether they realize it or not. Ekaterina Chizhevskaya/iStock via Getty Images Do you think that creativity is an innate gift? Think again. Many people believe that creative thinking is difficult – that the ability to come up with ideas in novel and interesting ways graces only some talented individuals and not most others. The media often portrays creatives as those with quirky personalities and unique talent. Researchers have also identified numerous personality traits that are associated with creativity, such as openness to new experiences, idea ..read more

Photo by Liza Summer/Pexels, CC BY You’re running late for work, your eight-year-old can’t find the homework they were supposed to have put in their school bag last night, your four-year-old objects to the blue t-shirt you’d prepared and wants the other shade of blue, and then you step on a Lego piece that didn’t get packed away when you asked. Even if you haven’t encountered this exact situation, just thinking about it might raise your hackles. Parenting comes with many emotions. Anger and frustration are not uncommon and may have been exacerbated by the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic. It ..read more

Thousands of demonstrators gather in Washington, D.C., to support women's rights on Oct. 8, 2022. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images Regardless of whether they live in a red state or a blue state, identify as Democrats or Republicans, or claim to be ideologically liberal or conservative, Americans have one thing in common. They are angry – especially about this year’s midterm elections. Americans’ anger is driven by contemporary political events. Republicans are enraged by troubling economic indicators and perceived spikes in crime. Democrats, meanwhile, are angry about the U.S. Supreme Cour ..read more

Shutterstock It’s a mistake to think problematic aggression is limited to those with psychiatric disorders. Healthy people have also the capacity for impulsive violence – and resulting “morally” poor behaviour. Traditionally, moral development has been facilitated by social institutions such as religion, education and societal convention. But technology could change this. If scientists could identify the predictors of reactive aggression, bio-medicine may offer ways to improve the moral behaviour of those more at risk of problematic aggression. This concept of “moral enhancement” is strongly ..read more

Even anger serves a purpose. TeodorLazarev/Shutterstock As psychiatry, which uses medical and biological methods to treat mental disorders, has largely overtaken psychotherapy, which relies on non-biological approaches such as conversation and counselling, psychotherapists have sought alternative challenges. One common approach is to focus on enhancing the happiness of mentally healthy people, rather than relieving the mental pain and trauma of those who are suffering. This is known as “positive psychology” and has recently expanded to accommodate not only psychologists, but also social worker ..read more

Wanda's rage fuels her actions in 'Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.' (Shutterstock) The visual effects in Marvel’s Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness don’t disappoint, but the treatment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) lead female villain does. Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) hasn’t been given much positive character development. In contrast to Marvel’s notorious villains, Wanda has no grand design, no desire to rule or destroy humanity. Her goal is limited to her self-created picture of domestic happiness: she fights to reunite with her two sons. Such treatment is an ill ..read more

Approach conversations with curiosity. Ground Picture | Shutterstock Diversity and inclusion initiatives are supposed to make a workplace more equal and welcoming. But not everyone agrees on quite what that looks like or whether it’s important. Indeed, some people can be dismissive or even opposed to the idea. Let’s be clear: people from marginalised groups shouldn’t have to engage in debates about their dignity or worth, as some would have them do. But on other more general issues like inclusion or positive action initiatives, people can act resistant or dismissive if they don’t understand th ..read more

There is plenty we still don’t understand about how anger influences behaviour. (Erinn Acland), Author provided Anger is evoked from being harmed or having a goal blocked; those who experience severe, chronic challenges and trauma tend to experience more anger. If channelled into productive activities — such as addressing injustices through whistleblowing, activism and legal action — anger can fuel extremely positive changes in society. Anger can also be adaptive in hostile environments, as it can make people more sensitive and confrontational to potential threats. However, perceiving benign i ..read more

A mother and son watch as firefighters battle wildfires in Shoresh, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, on Aug. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Climate change poses serious risks to mental well-being. For the first time, a new climate report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has assessed how climate change is having widespread and cumulative effects on mental health globally. Over the past decade, research and public interest on the effects of climate change on mental health have been increasing, as the number of individuals and communities exposed and vulnerable to climat ..read more

A protester yells 'freedom' while attending the anti-vaccine mandate demonstrations in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang While the “freedom convoy” started as a group of Canadian organizers, it has spurred international protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions imposed by governments. They’re occupying Ottawa and have held rallies in cities and at borders across the country. The convoy has been opposed by counter-protests and a decision by GoFundMe shut down their call for donations — they later moved to GiveSendGo, but that money has since been frozen as well. Read more ..read more