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Articles
Current Articles
According to social psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini , the reciprocity rule states that when you give, help, invite, or provide a meaningful service to others, the
recipients will feel obligated to repay you in some manner. Dr. Cialdini argues that the impulse to return favors is deeply-rooted, socially-driven, and nearly universal.
For example...
Articles by Topic
Aging
Depression in the elderly can be triggered by a number of factors that are heightened during the holiday season. Just in time for the holidays, workshops to help
overburdened family caregivers, were held at the USC Andrus Gerontology Center and the Health Sciences Campus...
Domestic Violence
YOU MAY BE A BATTERED WOMAN IF YOU...
Battering is the increasingly severe pattern of verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse for the purposes of intimidation, instilling fear, or controlling behavior...
Emergency Preparedness
During catastrophic events, people experience not only physical pain, but overwhelming emotional pain as well. At such times, how people treat one another can encourage....
Grief and Loss
Grief may be responsible for physical symptoms such as insomnia, appetite changes, actual illness...
Grief is not a sign of weakness. It is, rather, a healthy and fitting response to a loss, a tribute to a loved one who has died.
Grieving can be difficult, painful, and emotionally exhausting. Because of this, you may feel that it is best to put your loss behind you as quickly as possible, to be strong and to get on with your life. But suppressing grief...
Loss is a natural, if very painful, part of the process of living. Everyone experiences it. Some losses are more painful than others: loss through the death of a loved one, loss through divorce, loss of a job, loss of friends because...
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Health
Parenting
If kids really want to be lectured about a sensitive topic, they probably don’t need the lecture. Naturally, the topics they don’t want to hear about—drugs and alcohol, sex,
relationships, body image, behavior problems, and health-related issues...
For parents who either attend college, or whose workloads spike when classes are in session (e.g. faculty and select staff), back-to-school can be an exciting time.
Perhaps utter chaos and stress describes it better...
Wars, shootings in schools, natural disasters, deaths at sporting events, terrorists attacks—as adults we hope that these and other tragic outcomes will never...
Whether tragic events touch your family personally or are brought into your home via newspapers and television, you can help children cope with the anxiety that
violence, death and disasters can...
Last week, I met with Teri and her very unmotivated, 14-year-old son, Cecil. He resisted anything requiring effort: homework, chores, you name it...
or,
Parenting is tough these days. If you are like most parents, your time is tight, your stress is high, you want practical techniques to better deal with your child, and you
can’t afford to get bogged down in lengthy or vague parenting literature. With this handbook, you are well on your way to positively influencing the behavior of your
children and developing a closer, stronger relationship with them...
Many parents voice a desire to know what NOT to do with their children. In response, I will describe what I consider the three most common threats to positive
parenting of teenagers and healthy adolescent development:
- Extortion
- Bribery
- Trained non-compliance....
School Issues
Teenagers don’t just say ridiculous things, but think some ridiculous—and unrealistic—thoughts, like the illusion that they’re going to get away with everything.
After years of counseling teens, I have been privileged to hear some of their most outrageous remarks and ideas . Instead of shaking my head in bewilderment,
I have decided to use these comments to arm parents in two ways....
Although teen attitudes about sex and drugs can feel disturbing to parents, getting teenagers to talk openly ultimately proves invaluable, because their comments often
reveal inaccurate and and unrealistic views. The following remarks may seem absurd and scary. However, thinking about how many kids have similar
thoughts—but never express them—is even scarier. Thanks to some teenagers who spoke openly....
Honest, direct words to help teenagers help themselves
The Seven-Word Warning (That Your Parents Are About To Shut You Down)
Do you like to complain to your parents? When you whine and gripe and give them lots of attitude, do you find that they give you what you want,
let you out of responsibilities, and basically get out of your way? Way to go! You’re learning early in life that manipulation can be a powerful tool....
Giving children too much causes more problems than you might think
Sometimes, I find it helpful to think about children in the simplest terms: It is their job to try to get as much stuff as they can, as often as they can, with the least possible effort. If this were true, what would be the most helpful parental response?...
Stress
Maintain a good diet, get some sleep and be prepared to evaluate relationships, a social worker advises...
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Substance Abuse
September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, and a time for society to raise its consciousness to the impact of substance abuse.
Many struggling with addictions want help, but do not pursue recovery...
Relationships
Everyone has relationship standards. Would you enter into a relationship with someone you knew was addicted to heroin? Each person has their limit, a threshold for
behavior, traits, and values, below which they are unwilling to tolerate a partner...
Teens
Many parents voice a desire to know what NOT to do with their children. In response, I will describe what I consider the three most common threats to positive parenting of teenagers and healthy adolescent development:
Teenagers don't just say ridiculous things, but think some ridiculous—and unrealistic—thoughts, like the illusion that they're going to get away with everything.
After years of counseling teens, I have been privileged to hear some of their most outrageous remarks and ideas.
Although teen attitudes about sex and drugs can feel disturbing to parents, getting teenagers to talk openly ultimately proves invaluable, because their comments often
reveal inaccurate and unrealistic views. The following remarks may seem absurd and scary....
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Trauma
Recent events are on the hearts/minds of faculty and students alike, and feedback from some faculty members has indicated that discussing these events in classes would be beneficial both psychologically and academically. You may make a decision to address these issues directly in class, or they may come up naturally in the course of your teaching. Either way, consider these tips when moderating the discussions...
Work Life
According to social psychologist Dr. Robert Cialdini , the reciprocity rule states that when you give, help, invite, or provide a meaningful service to others, the recipients
will feel obligated to repay you in some manner. Dr. Cialdini argues that the impulse to return favors is deeply-rooted, socially-driven, and nearly universal.
For example...
Getting criticized, put down, or verbally disrespected in any form is no picnic, especially at work. When people enter organizations expecting professionalism and civility, such treatment leaves them feeling shocked, angry, and hurt. Some choose to challenge disrespectful behavior head-on, others may try to defend themselves, and some prefer to withdraw or disengage.
A psychotherapist offers practical suggestions on the ways to move toward an ideal life at home and on the job.
I have used Facebook almost daily since joining, and have found it fun, useful, and fulfilling. It has put me closer in touch with family and friends than any other time
I can remember. However, some users do not share my positive experiences...
How to avoid communications that can cost professional relationships and
careers.
Most professionals believe that if they work hard, perform at a high level, and deliver a valuable product or service, they will be successful in their organization and people will like them. It would be nice if this
were true more often. Unfortunately...
Sometimes, the pressures of family life and daily work responsibilities can be overwhelming. For instance, personal life challenges...
A manager says, “You have not performed to the level I expected.” The worker takes the feedback personally...
October is National Work and Family Month. To recognize the University of Southern California’s outstanding support of work-life efforts, the Center for Work and
Family Life is highlighting family-friendly benefits, policies, or programs that help employees balance the demands of life at work and outside of work...
Jack stops at the market after a busy day at work and fills his cart with 49 groceries.
After a long line and a slow checkout, he packs his car and heads home. As he pulls into his driveway, he realizes he forgot to buy garlic,
and thinks, what an idiot I am!
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