Herewith, TIME’s unscientific survey of loud (and quiet) giants — it takes both kinds to make history. Read the related TIME cover story, “The Upside of Being an Introvert,” available to subscribers here.
Psychology
Shhhh! The Quiet Joys of the Introvert
Spare a thought for the poor introverts among us. In a world of party animals and glad-handers, they’re the ones who stand by the punch bowl.
Think You’re All That? You Might Be Putting Your Health at Risk
Why a narcissist’s sense of self-love can do damage to the heart, especially for men.
The Truth About ‘Sybil’: Q&A with Author Debbie Nathan
The famous patient “Sybil” is now known to have fabricated her many personalities, but the hysteria in the 1970s surrounding “multiple personality disorder” reveals some interesting truths about society at the time.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Stocking Stuffers
When it comes to gift giving, psychologists say more isn’t necessarily better.
Would You Kill One Person to Save Five? New Research on a Classic Debate
Imagine you are a train-yard operator who sees an out-of-control boxcar running down a track that five workers are repairing. The workers won’t have time to get out of the way unless you flip a switch to change the car to another …
Narcissists Know They’re Obnoxious, But Love Themselves All the Same
Odds are you know some narcissists. Odds are they’re smart, confident and articulate. They make you laugh, they make you think; the first time you met, they probably charmed the pants off of you — perhaps even literally. The …
CNN: Steve Jobs Was a Difficult Patient
Former Apple chief Steve Jobs was notoriously difficult, not least as a cancer patient, it turns out.
Study: Nearly 1 in 8 Shy Teens May Have Social Phobia
Almost everyone has felt some jitters before speaking in public or walking into a party. For some people, however, that everyday shyness can become so crippling that they’re unable to give a presentation at work or muster up the …
Study: 1 in 25 Business Leaders May Be Psychopaths
One in 25 bosses may be psychopaths — a rate that’s four times greater than in the general population — according to research by psychologist and executive coach Paul Babiak.
It’s No Joke: Why Laughter Kills Pain
What do joke-lovers and junkies have in common? According to new research, they’re both responding to the same kind of “high.” The study suggests that genuine laughter releases endorphins in the brain, chemicals that activate the …
Q&A: A Yale Psychologist Calls for Radical Change in Therapy
(Updated) Is individual therapy overrated and outdated? In many ways, says Alan Kazdin, a professor of psychology and child psychiatry at Yale University, writing in the leading journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.
The Secrets of Self-Control: The Marshmallow Test 40 Years Later
Ever wonder why your willpower fails you just when you need it most? The results of a new long-term study, which first began more than 40 years ago with the now-famous marshmallow test in preschoolers, may offer some clues.
