Category Archives: Unique—Like Everybody Else

Can the Experience of Awe Open the Mind? – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

People who are open to experience are more prone to experiencing awe. Is it possible that profound experiences of awe could also induce greater open-mindedness? Mystical experiences under the influence of psychedelics can increase openness to experience. Perhaps such experiences are so awe-inspiring that create a deeper and lasting appreciation for the mystery of life.

The Colorful Personality: Another Face of the Dark Side? – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

People with colorful personalities, or histrionic traits, can be entertaining yet also very self-centered. Charming and theatrical, they may use social skills to exploit others. The colorful personality may be an addition to the growing list of dark personalities.

LSD, Suggestibility, and Personality Change – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

A recent study found that LSD increases suggestibility. Research suggests that psychedelic drug use can increase openness to unusual ideas, such as spiritual and paranormal beliefs, in the long-term. Could this be be due to a long-lasting increase in suggestibility and related personality traits?

Resolving the “Conscientiousness Paradox” – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

Conscientious individuals generally have good outcomes, but countries with high national levels of conscientiousness generally have poorer levels of human development. What does this apparent "conscientiousness paradox" mean?

Regional Differences in Personality: Surprising Findings – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

Individual personality traits and the geographic region where one lives are correlated with important social outcomes. Research has found that personality traits are also geographically clustered in ways correlated with these same outcomes. Some of the results are surprising as the individual level and societal level correlates of personality can differ strikingly.

Fifty Shades of Tattooing: Body Art, Risk and Personality – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

Women readers of the Fifty Shades trilogy have higher rates of risky behavior So do women who get tattoos. Both of these may be outward signs of a predisposition to take risk rather than a cause of such behavior.

Fifty Shades: Glamorizing Abuse or Harmless Escapism? – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

The Fifty Shades Trilogy has provoked controversy because the story revolves around an abusive relationship. A group of researchers has argued that the books may harm women by glamorizing abuse. However, the authors' findings are inconsistent with their claims. Whether the books have a harmful influence or are simply titillating fantasy remains to be demonstrated.

Personality Traits of BDSM Practitioners: Another Look – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

A recent study provides some new insights into the personality traits of dominant and submissive BDSM practitioners. Dominant practitioners seem to be more calm and have a greater desire for control, while submissive ones may be more emotional and introverted. Some questions remain about how these findings compare to previous studies into this fascinating world.

Eating Disorders and The Elusive "Extreme Female Brain" – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

A recent paper has claimed that eating disorder symptoms, such as anorexia and bulimia are manifestations of an "extreme female brain". The evidence is actually confusing because some of the results apply more clearly to males than females. Gender stereotyped descriptions of "male" versus "female" brain types may be misleading.

Who Uses Their Head and Who Listens to Their Heart? – Scott McGreal (Unique—Like Everybody Else)

Whether a person identifies with their head or their heart can say a lot about their personality. Are people in their heads really smarter than those in their hearts?