Marty Nemko's Blog, page 200

Your Child’s Friendships: Encouraging and developing good ones

My Psychology Today article today offers thoughts on how a parent can support a child in developing good friendships.

Today's Ethical Dilemmas: Five decisions in the time of COVID and of political polarization

My Psychology Today article today offers five dilemmas that derive from key issues of our time: COVID and political polarization. For each dilemma, I offer opposing positions.

Developing a Platonic Friendship

 My Psychology Today article today offers suggestions on how to find and develop a platonic friendship.

Your Romantic Partner as Friend

After the infatuation stage, the friend part of a romantic relationship is core to its satisfaction and longevity.

My Psychology Today article today offers suggestions on how to develop that friendship.

Should You Take a Time-Out for Travel?

Imagine that you were asked, “You have six months to do whatever you want. What would you do?” The most common answer would likely be “travel.”

Yet a clear-eyed look at the pros and cons of extended travel may give some people pause. So as you contemplate the wisdom of stopping-out for travel when the COVID risk subsides, consider the pros and cons I describe in my Psychology Today article today.

Should You Pursue a Psychology Doctorate?

Especially in a weak job market, it’s tempting to go back to school, including all the way to a doctorate. My Psychology Today article today aims to help you decide if it's wise for you.

Becoming More Ethical

Most people know the ethical thing to do, but when it's inexpedient, they may succumb to the temptations of money, power, or hooking-in the romantic partner they want.

Most people act ethically when it is expedient — for example, making a sizeable charitable donation when the right people will see it. Only a tiny percentage of charitable donations are made anonymously. The challenge is to do the right thing when it's inexpedient.

This refers not just to obvious malfeasance such as absconding with employer or shareholder money, sandbagging a rival for a promotion, or feigning love to trap a desirable romantic partner. It's more often such issues as a salesperson withholding information that would nix a sale, a romantic partner being unduly selfish, or a boss earning enough to live richly while worker bees struggle to pay the rent on a modest place.

In my Psychology Today article today, I lay out the elements of an ethical self-improvement plan.

Should You Buy Your Home or Rent?

One of life's major decisions is whether to own your own home or to rent.  My Psychology Today article today aims to help you make a decision that reflects your values and situation.

 

Should You Be Self-Employed, and how to boost your chances of success

Even before the economy slowed because of COVID, the shortage of decent-paying, ethical, reasonably secure jobs made people eager to try being their own boss. But should you be self-employed, and what will be key for you in boosting your chances of success.  I tackle that in my Psychology Today article today.

Should You Have a Child?

My Psychology Today article today asks you questions to help you decide if having a child is right for you.