Geoff Beattie
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Articles by Geoff Beattie
Why are we so obsessed with charismatic leaders?
Analysis: While competence, integrity, judgment and courage are characteristics to prize in a leader, more value is often placed on charisma Whatever your politics or profession, leaders who dominate our collective memory are rarely the quiet, methodical ones. They are the ones who stepped on stage or screen and made people believe in a vision, a company, a movement or a future. They all had charisma.
Why are we so obsessed with charismatic leaders?
© 2026 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
Why are we so obsessed with charismatic leaders? Original
Whatever your politics or profession, leaders who dominate our collective memory are rarely the quiet, methodical ones. They are the ones who stepped on stage or screen and made people believe in a vision, a company, a movement or a future. They all had charisma. Think of leaders who have captivated the public imagination: Martin Luther King Jr, Steve Jobs, Margaret Thatcher. Not universally liked, but they all had something.
Opinion | Young Canadians need a new deal to succeed. Those of us who are older, in particular, owe them sacrifices
There is a photograph, taken on June 6, 1944, of young men in the water off Juno Beach. They are wading toward France, rifles above their heads, the sea cold and the outcome uncertain. Most of them are between 18 and 24 years old. Less than eighty years after Confederation, they pushed farther inland than any other Allied force on D-Day — eleven kilometres by nightfall. Canada, young and uncertain of itself in so many ways, was exceptional that day.
What colour should you paint your home?
Analysis: Because of how colours exert influence, choosing a new colour scheme for your home is a psychological issue and not just a design one I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. "Isn't it about time," my partner began, "that we freshened this place up a little?" There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchen – which, I’ll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them.
What colour should you paint your home? Lets ask a psychologist
Analysis: Because of how colours exert influence, choosing a new colour scheme for your home is a psychological issue and not just a design one I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. "Isn't it about time," my partner began, "that we freshened this place up a little?" There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchen – which, I’ll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them.
What Colour Should I Repaint My Home? Ask A Psychologist
I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. “Isn’t it about time,” my partner began, “that we freshened this place up a little?” There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchen – which, I’ll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them. Then she dropped a glossy magazine on the table – World of Interiors, I think. I was trying not to look. My partner is passionate about colours and knows the names of all the different shades.
Em dúvida sobre que cor pintar as paredes da sua casa? Veja por que pode ser uma boa ideia perguntar ao seu psicólogo
Eu sabia que haveria uma discussão. O ambiente ficou estranhamente silencioso. "Não está na hora de darmos uma renovada neste lugar?", disse a minha parceira. Houve uma longa pausa enquanto ela olhava ao redor das paredes brancas da nossa cozinha – que, devo admitir, têm um pouco de tinta descascando. Então, ela deixou cair uma revista brilhante sobre a mesa – acho que era a World of Interiors. Eu estava tentando não olhar. Ela é apaixonada por cores e sabe o nome de todos os seus tons.
What color should I repaint my home? Ask a psychologist
I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. "Isn't it about time," my partner began, "that we freshened this place up a little?" Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchenwhich, I'll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them. Then she dropped a glossy magazine on the tableWorld of Interiors, I think. I was trying not to look.
What color should I repaint my home? Ask a psychologist
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. "Isn't it about time," my partner began, "that we freshened this place up a little?" There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchen—which, I'll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them. Then she dropped a glossy magazine on the table—World of Interiors, I think. I was trying not to look.
What colour should I repaint my home? Ask a psychologist
I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. “Isn’t it about time,” my partner began, “that we freshened this place up a little?” There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchen – which, I’ll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them. Then she dropped a glossy magazine on the table – World of Interiors, I think. I was trying not to look. My partner is passionate about colours and knows the names of all the different shades.
What colour should I repaint my home? Ask a psychologist Original
I knew there would be an argument. The room had gone eerily quiet. “Isn’t it about time,” my partner began, “that we freshened this place up a little?” There was a long pause as she glanced around the white walls of our kitchen – which, I’ll admit, do have a little bit of paint chipping off them. Then she dropped a glossy magazine on the table – World of Interiors, I think. I was trying not to look. My partner is passionate about colours and knows the names of all the different shades.
Psychologists say climate anxiety is a form of pre-traumatic stress
We are living in an age of anxiety. People face multiple existential crises such as climate change and conflicts that could potentially escalate into nuclear war. So how do people cope with competing threats like this? And what happens to climate anxiety when wars suddenly erupt and compete for our attention? Climate change affects our physical and mental health, directly through extreme climate-related droughts, wildfires and intense storms.
Could climate anxiety be a form of pre-traumatic stress disorder? A psychologist explains the research
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Could climate anxiety be a form of pre-traumatic stress disorder? A psychologist explains the research
By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University We are living in an age of anxiety. People face multiple existential crises such as climate change and conflicts that could potentially escalate into nuclear war. So how do people cope with competing threats like this? And what happens to climate anxiety when wars suddenly… Read complete article © The Conversation -
Could climate anxiety be a form of pre-traumatic stress disorder? A psychologist explains the research
Malchevska/Shutterstock We are living in an age of anxiety. People face multiple existential crises such as climate change and conflicts that could potentially escalate into nuclear war. So how do people cope with competing threats like this? And what happens to climate anxiety when wars suddenly erupt and compete for our attention? Climate change affects our physical and mental health, directly through extreme climate-related droughts, wildfires and intense storms.
Could climate anxiety be a form of pre-traumatic stress disorder? A psychologist explains the research
We are living in an age of anxiety. People face multiple existential crises such as climate change and conflicts that could potentially escalate into nuclear war. So how do people cope with competing threats like this? And what happens to climate anxiety when wars suddenly erupt and compete for our attention? Climate change affects our physical and mental health, directly through extreme climate-related droughts, wildfires and intense storms.
Why Trump Never Takes the Blame: The Psychology Behind His Deflections
What made Truman’s leadership style so different from Trump’s? Why does Trump blame others for unpopular decisions? How do narcissism and Machiavellianism explain blame-shifting? What role do loyal insiders play in shielding Trump? Why accountability in leadership matters for democracy by Geoff Beattie, Edge Hill University It was US president Harry S. Truman who, in the years just after the second world war, kept a little wooden sign on his desk which read: “The buck stops here!”.
Trump exploits loyalists to dodge blame and accountability: psychologist warns
It was US president Harry S. Truman who, in the years just after the second world war, kept a little wooden sign on his desk which read: “The buck stops here!”. It emphasized his willingness to accept ultimate responsibility for his decisions and actions as president, even the ones that didn’t quite work out. This phrase has since become emblematic of presidential accountability and leadership. Truman wasn’t interested in trying to pass the buck, not as a man and certainly not as president.
Why Trump blames decisions on others - a psychologist explains
It was US president Harry S. Truman who, in the years just after the second world war, kept a little wooden sign on his desk which read: “The buck stops here!”. It emphasised his willingness to accept ultimate responsibility for his decisions and actions as president, even the ones that didn’t quite work out. This phrase has since become emblematic of presidential accountability and leadership. Truman wasn’t interested in trying to pass the buck, not as a man and certainly not as president.
Why Trump blames decisions on others - a psychologist explains
© 2025 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
Trump’s f-bomb: psychologist explains why president makes fast, furious statements
Home > INTERNATIONAL > Trump’s f-bomb: psychologist explains why president..... Back By Geoff Beattie, Edge Hill University ORMSKIRK (UK): (Jun 26) Donald Trump’s latest forthright outburst was made as part of his attempts to create a peace deal with Iran and Israel. “I’m not happy with Israel,” he told reporters on June 24.
Trump’s f-bomb: a psychologist explains why the president makes fast and furious statements
By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University Donald Trump’s latest forthright outburst was made as part of his attempts to create a peace deal with Iran and Israel. “I’m not happy with Israel,” he told reporters on June 24. “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” This came a day after Trump had Read complete article © The Conversation -
Trump’s f-bomb: a psychologist explains why the president makes fast and furious statements Original
Donald Trump’s latest forthright outburst was made as part of his attempts to create a peace deal with Iran and Israel. “I’m not happy with Israel,” he told reporters on June 24. “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the fuck they’re doing.” This came a day after Trump had announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. By the next day, the ceasefire had been violated by both Iran and Israel.
Why the Musk and Trump relationship is breaking down - a psychologist explains
By Geoff Beattie It is not a good break-up. These were always two big beasts used to getting their own way. Two alpha males, if you like the evolutionary metaphor, trying to get along. And now the Donald Trump and Elon Musk relationship is in meltdown. Who could forget that iconic image from just a few short weeks back? Elon Musk standing behind the seated US president, Donald Trump, in the Oval Office, towering over him. Trump, his hands clasped, having to turn awkwardly to look up at him.
Why Musk, Trump relationship is breaking down - a psychologist explains
Home > INTERNATIONAL > Why Musk, Trump relationship is breaking..... Back By Geoff Beattie, Edge Hill University ORMSKIRK (UK): (Jun 7) It is not a good break-up. These were always two big beasts used to getting their own way. Two alpha males, if you like the evolutionary metaphor, trying to get along. And now the Donald Trump and Elon Musk relationship is in meltdown. Who could forget that iconic image from just a few short weeks back?
A psychologist’s take on why the Musk-Trump relationship is breaking down
It is not a good break-up. These were always two big beasts used to getting their own way. Two alpha males, if you like the evolutionary metaphor, trying to get along. And now the Donald Trump and Elon Musk relationship is in meltdown. Who could forget that iconic image from just a few short weeks back? Elon Musk standing behind the seated US president, Donald Trump, in the Oval Office, towering over him. Trump, his hands clasped, having to turn awkwardly to look up at him.
Why the Musk and Trump relationship is breaking down - a psychologist explains
© 2025 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
Why the Musk and Trump relationship is breaking down - a psychologist explains
It is not a good break-up. These were always two big beasts used to getting their own way. Two alpha males, if you like the evolutionary metaphor, trying to get along. And now the Donald Trump and Elon Musk relationship is in meltdown. Who could forget that iconic image from just a few short weeks back? Elon Musk standing behind the seated the US president, Donald Trump, in the Oval Office, towering over him. Trump, his hands clasped, having to turn awkwardly to look up at him.
Why Democrats are switching off the news - a psychologist explains Original
Many Democrats appear to be switching off mainstream news channels and other media, following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. Around 72% of Democrats say they feel a need to limit their consumption of news about politics and government, according to a recent poll by AP-NORC.
Why Democrats are switching off the news - a psychologist explains
By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University Many Democrats appear to be switching off mainstream news channels and other media, following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. Around 72% of Democrats say they feel a need to limit their consumption of news about politics and government, according to a recent poll by AP-NORC. Research has… Read complete article © The Conversation -
Understanding Climate Anxiety
How should we react to climate anxiety? This accessible book discusses anxiety and other emotions brought on by climate change, examining what climate anxiety is, why it is becoming so prevalent and how it differs from other types of anxiety. Written by an expert psychologist, the book examines why climate anxiety is developing so rapidly, particularly in younger people.
Reservations on nuclear threat
The war in Ukraine has just edged up another notch. It has not been going well for Ukraine in recent months, and this week Joe Biden’s administration made the decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied army tactical missile systems (Atacms) long-range missiles deep into Russia for the first time. The US policy reversal also put Ukrainian weapons supplied by the UK and France into play. The UK and France had previously indicated they would allow this, once the US had.
Experts Divided Over Possibility Of Putin Ordering Nuclear Strike In Ukraine
Optimism bias can affect risk perception of both natural disasters and terrorist events and one study found significant cross-cultural differences in perception of risk that did not correspond to actual exposure rates The war in Ukraine has just edged up another notch.
Why some countries are more likely to believe nuclear war won’t happen to them
The war in Ukraine has just edged up another notch. It has not been going well for Ukraine in recent months, and this week Joe Biden’s administration made the decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied army tactical missile systems (Atacms) long-range missiles deep into Russia for the first time. The US policy reversal also put Ukrainian weapons supplied by the UK and France into play. The UK and France had previously indicated they would allow this, once the US had.
Why some countries are more likely to believe nuclear war won't happen to them
The war in Ukraine has just edged up another notch. It has not been going well for Ukraine in recent months, and this week Joe Biden's administration made the decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied army tactical missile systems (Atacms) long-range missiles deep into Russia for the first time. The US policy reversal also put Ukrainian weapons supplied by the UK and France into play. The UK and France had previously indicated they would allow this, once the US had.
© 2024 Tolerance.ca ® Inc. All reproduction rights reserved. All information reproduced on the Web pages of www.tolerance.ca (including articles, images, photographs, and logos) is protected by intellectual property rights owned by Tolerance.ca ® Inc. or, in certain cases, by its author. Any reproduction of the information for use other than personal use is prohibited.
Why some countries are more likely to believe nuclear war won’t happen to them Original
The war in Ukraine has just edged up another notch. It has not been going well for Ukraine in recent months, and this week Joe Biden’s administration made the decision to allow Ukraine to fire US-supplied army tactical missile systems (Atacms) long-range missiles deep into Russia for the first time. The US policy reversal also put Ukrainian weapons supplied by the UK and France into play. The UK and France had previously indicated they would allow this, once the US had.
Why does Donald Trump tell such blatant lies?
Analysis: politicians know lying is part of our everyday lives, but Trump is in a class of his own when it comes to false or misleading claims By Geoff Beattie, Edge Hill University When it comes to lying in politics, Donald Trump is in a class of his own. According to the Washington Post, he made 30,573 false or misleading claims in his four years as president, increasing year-on-year from six per day in his first year to 39 per day in his fourth.
Why does Donald Trump tell such blatant lies?
By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University When it comes to lying in politics, Donald Trump is in a class of his own. According to the Washington Post, he made 30,573 false or misleading claims in his four years as president, increasing year-on-year from six per day in his first year to 39 per day in his fourth. Although other presidents have lied to the public, none have lied like this.
Why does Donald Trump tell such blatant lies? Original
When it comes to lying in politics, Donald Trump is in a class of his own. According to the Washington Post, he made 30,573 false or misleading claims in his four years as president, increasing year-on-year from six per day in his first year to 39 per day in his fourth. Although other presidents have lied to the public, none have lied like this. Some of Trump’s lies are trivial, and many are self-aggrandising (“Nobody builds better walls than me”).
Commentary: Trump rally shooting - what drives a solo assassin to kill?
ORMSKIRK, UK: The image of the would-be assassin at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Jul 13 is now part of history. A young man in beige lying dead on the flat roof. Minutes earlier, this self-appointed executioner had been pointing his rifle at Trump, aiming to shoot the former president in front of his followers. What drove this young man to try to kill?
Trump attempted shooting: what drives a solo assassin to kill? A psychologist explains
The image of the would-be assassin at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 is now part of history. A young man in beige lying dead on the flat roof. Minutes earlier, this self-appointed executioner had been pointing his rifle at Trump, aiming to shoot the former president in front of his followers. What drove this young man to try to kill? Thomas Matthew Crooks was 20 years old, two years out of school and still living with his parents in a town an hour away from the shooting.
Trump attempted shooting: what drives a solo assassin to kill? A psychologist explains Original
The image of the would-be assassin at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 is now part of history. A young man in beige lying dead on the flat roof. Minutes earlier, this self-appointed executioner had been pointing his rifle at Trump, aiming to shoot the former president in front of his followers. What drove this young man to try to kill? Thomas Matthew Crooks was 20 years old, two years out of school and still living with his parents in a town an hour away from the shooting.
It’s not easy to spot lies - and those good at lying know how to exploit these blindspots
You don’t have to be in the middle of an election campaign to be concerned about your ability to spot a lie. Psychology research suggests people lie at least once a day. A 2006 review of 206 papers found that we are little better then chance at guessing whether something is a lie or not, 54% to be exact. Some lies are told to make others feel better.
Pourquoi nous sommes si mauvais pour détecter les mensonges
Nul besoin d’être en pleine campagne électorale pour s’inquiéter de sa capacité à repérer un mensonge. Les recherches en psychologie suggèrent que les gens mentent au moins une fois par jour. Une étude de 2006 portant sur 206 documents a révélé que nous sommes juste un peu plus doués que le hasard pour deviner si on a affaire à un mensonge ou non, à 54 % exactement. Certains mensonges sont racontés pour préserver autrui : ce qu’on appelle un mensonge blanc.
The Complex Art of Deception: Understanding Lies and Liars
By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University San Francisco, Jun 14 (The Conversation) - People don't need to be in an election campaign to worry about spotting lies. According to psychology research, individuals lie at least once a day. A 2006 review of 206 papers discovered that humans are only slightly better than chance, at 54%, in guessing whether something is a lie or not. While some lies aim to spare others' feelings, most are self-serving.
Why we're so bad at spotting lies-most of us only perform slightly better than chance
You don’t have to be in the middle of an election campaign to be concerned about your ability to spot a lie. Psychology research suggests people lie at least once a day. A 2006 review of 206 papers found that we are little better then chance at guessing whether something is a lie or not, 54% to be exact. Some lies are told to make others feel better.
Why we're so bad at spotting lies-most of us only perform slightly better than chance
You don't have to be in the middle of an election campaign to be concerned about your ability to spot a lie. Psychology research suggests people lie at least once a day. A 2006 review of 206 papers found that we are little better then chance at guessing whether something is a lie or not, 54% to be exact. Some lies are told to make others feel better.
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