Author: Dr. Reinharth

Psychology and Literature (3)

We’ve talked about many similarities between what psychologists and writers do. There are also some important differences. Beyond the obvious that one is through writing and the other is verbal/nonverbal communication (although psychologists often write, too!). Differences Beneficence is a Core Value of Psychology Psychologists have a responsibility in their work to do no harm… Continue reading Psychology and Literature (3)

Psychology and Literature (2)

Further Similarities Psychologists and writers have many motivations in common. In part 1 of psychology and literature, we discussed nonjudgment and holding the mirror to nature. Here are other commonalities. Identifying cause: We all sometimes wonder how something came to be, and how we can make it better. It’s why ‘origin stories’ are often the… Continue reading Psychology and Literature (2)

Psychology and Literature (1)

“To hold as ’twere the mirror up to nature” There has always been a special affinity between psychology and literature – and with good reason. One of my graduate school professors remarked that writers have made some of the best psychologists. (Although some psychologists have made lousy writers.) The reason for this may be easy… Continue reading Psychology and Literature (1)

Parenting (part 3)

Parenting: It Removes a Village In part 1, we talked about parenting as care-giving and values instillation. I went through some major challenges to parenting presented by financial limitations, time constraints, and un-restrained industrialization. In part 2, we talked about the War for Independence that has become an expectation for everyone in the US. Let’s now… Continue reading Parenting (part 3)

Parenting (part 2)

Parenting in the US: The War for Independence In part 1, we talked about parenting as care-giving or values instillation. I went through some of the major challenges to this in current US society through financial constraints, time constraints, and un-restrained industrialization. Today, I will focus on the biggie: the core American value that has… Continue reading Parenting (part 2)

Parenting (part 1)

The Transformation of Parenting It seems perversely typical for US culture that the hardest job out there is the one we either do for no pay or farm out to strangers. One we cram into brief periods of shuffling off to activities or dinner and bedtime. A job where the people who are most invested… Continue reading Parenting (part 1)

Is Psychology a Science? Part 2

Is Psychology a Science recap Last time, we discussed what “science” is, and then the different understandings of what “psychology” is. We recognized that science is not truth but constantly evolving models of truth. We acknowledged that psychology involves so many complex factors at many levels that its predictions are more akin to meteorology than… Continue reading Is Psychology a Science? Part 2

Is Psychology a Science? Part 1

Psychology as a Scientific Discipline While pretty much all psychologists consider their discipline a science, the general US adult population is less certain. (78% view as a science, with 43% viewing as more of a theory; as cited by Prinstein, M., “Is Psychology a Science,” 9/30/2022.) This has many reasons and sources: partly because the… Continue reading Is Psychology a Science? Part 1