Why Do People Believe Stupid Stuff

Why Do People Believe Stupid Stuff, Even When They're Confronted With the Truth?

The "backfire effect" helps explain how strange, ancient and kooky beliefs resist science, reason and reportage.

The Misconception: When your beliefs are challenged with facts, you alter your opinions and incorporate the new information into your thinking.

The Truth: When your deepest convictions are challenged by contradictory evidence, your beliefs get stronger.

Wired, The New York Times, Backyard Poultry Magazine – they all do it. Sometimes, they screw up and get the facts wrong. In ink or in electrons, a reputable news source takes the time to say “my bad.”

http://www.alternet.org/media/151426/why_do_people_believe_stupid_stuff%2C_even_when_they%27re_confronted_with_the_truth/

Angry Sex

Can Angry Sex Save Your Relationship?

The place of anger in sex has been widely debated. Is it a great release of tension, or just a way to avoid actual resolution?

http://www.alternet.org/sex/151179/can_angry_sex_save_your_relationship

Angry Sex Is A Problem Solver

http://www.mancouch.com/728554517/angry-sex-is-a-problem-solver/

The Power of Stories

Telling stories is the best way to teach, persuade, and even understand ourselves.

The Inside Story

Success demands that we harness the power of telling a killer story.

Direct Hit

Stories leap frog technology and go straight to the brain

Self-Portrait in a Skewed Mirror

You're more than the star and author of your own life story--you're also the spin master.

The Connector

Sharing a story puts people in brain-to-brain synchrony

Does the Death of Bin Laden Help the 9/11 Families to Heal?
Bin Laden's Death Changes the Trauma Narrative of 9/11

Can Stories Change the World?
How your life can lift people.

Duchess of York’s Redemption Story Is Good Theatre
Princess Sarah does self-help without doing personal responsibility

Fiction as stealth persuasion
How advertisers can appear nicer than they are

An African Like Me?
How can hearing an alternative story change how we perceive?

Writing a compelling life story in 500 words or less
Nailing the personal statement to tell your life story

Can a Story Inspire Divorce Reform?
A divorce sparks draft law: Parental Divorce Reduction Act

Emotional Story-Telling after Stressful Experiences: A Way to Find Meaning
Can writing memoirs transform the meaning of trauma?

Can The Magic of Great Literature Take You Around The World?
A conversation with James Flynn, author of The Torchlight List

Protagonists, Plotlines and the Power of Mental Illness Narratives
A conversation with James Flynn, author of The Torchlight List

Troubled Times Spark Cruel Claims
How can we judge the validity of the wartime atrocity tale?

What's Your Life Story?
Gripping life stories don’t need conventional events

As Believable As Fiction
How to write compelling creative non-fiction

The Case of the Missing Cobra
Making news compelling through the art of story

Shakespeare's Seven Ages of Man, Revisited
Should we fear or revere old age?
.
Only a Story? Not If Your Brain Has Its Way
Blame your brain when stories move you to real tears.

Your life story in metaphors
A box of chocolates or a bowl of cherries; which best fits your life?

"Writers Do Not Give Up on People"
To move the heart, construct your characters carefully.

Why Psychotherapists Write Novels and Plays
How therapy differs from fiction and theatre

Leadership Lessons from Pixar

http://jasonevanish.com/2011/05/15/leadership-lessons-from-pixar/

1) Collaboration and spontaneity matters
2) Openness to criticism and feedback is essential
3) Celebrate real success
4) Take bold chances
5) Push the Limits
6) Never Settle
7) Be your own best customer
8) Your competition doesn’t understand your value prop
9) Empower your people to have control of their work
10) Overnight successes are far from overnight




A look at the first years of Pixar Animation Studios – from the success of “Toy Story” and Pixar’s promotion of talented people, to the building of its East Bay campus, the company’s relationship with Disney, and its remarkable initial string of eight hits. The contributions of John Lasseter, Ed Catmull and Steve Jobs are profiled. The decline of two-dimensional animation is chronicled as three-dimensional animation rises. Hard work and creativity share the screen in equal proportions

Funniest Leadership Speech ever!

Quirky Families

Kinship comes in all sorts of packages these days. In loving clans, function trumps form.

So Many Ways to Live and Love

Increasingly, households and communities are not anchored by couples.

Lessons from Stepfamilies

Stepfamilies turn out to be living laboratories for what it takes to create successful relationships.

Where Lesbians Are Legal

A child's view of gay marriage reveals more childish views.

Talent Dynasties

Some families pass talent and skill down the generations like monarchs pass a crown.

Five Tips for Surviving Another Easter or Passover with Your Family

Strategies for Dealing with Passive- Aggressive Relatives


Five types of grandparents and how they shape our lives
Which type of grandparent did you have?


Sometimes parents have special needs, too
Boys are better at math...in this cartoon


Warning, Ladies - Life on the Lam Isn't a Bed of Roses
A mass murderer and the women who loved him


The Case for the Only Child
Busting the myths about only children.


The Grandmaster Experiment
How did one family produce three of the most successful female chess champions ever?


Going Solo Is the New Normal
Is this the new standard of full adulthood?


Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Why has the number of grandparents raising grandchildren skyrocketed?

Why It's Easier to Love Your Stepdad
The tensions between stepmothers and stepchildren.

What One Mom Learned About Infertility Could Fill a Book (and Did)
No one expects infertility. Yet everyone has an opinion about it.

Caregiving and the family
Families coping with caregiving find help in a new toolkit

Author Jessica Blau: Drinking Closer to Home
Novel explores quirky family values.

Family in the Lives of Adults without Children: 3 Creative Lines of Thinking
The many meanings of family

Parent Sibling Twins as Individuals
You must treat twins as individuals—not twins.

Lessons in Leadership PART ONE

Popeye's Lessons in Leadership

Description: Inspirational Speaker and former US Dive Team member Bill Treasurer wanted a way to introduce his lessons in leadership. We found an open source cartoon and had fun. The fire dive is actually Bill.

Funny leadership skills though history - a brutal/ funny leadership animation from business training providers Integration Training.

Nick Vujicic: Life Without Limbs

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/

http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/donations/life-without-limits-book-%E2%80%93-new-monthly-partner

http://richgrad.com/gift.html

Get 101 Powerful Affirmations (FREE) To Help You Stay Positive Like Nick!

Without Arms or Legs
Don't bother telling the depressed that others are worse off.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stuck/200907/without-arms-or-legs

Life without limb-its: The astonishing story of the man born without arms or legs... who plays golf, surfs, and swims
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196755/The-astonishing-story-man-born-arms-legs--world-famous-swimmer-surfer-footballer.html

Build a family fun zone at your home

Don't underestimate how entertaining a horseshoe pit or courts for volleyball, bocce & croquet can be.

Build a backyard game court and bring the fun home

Learn to build family-friendly backyard gaming areas — a horseshoe pit, plus courts for volleyball, bocce and croquet.

http://realestate.msn.com/listarticle.aspx?cp-documentid=28095079&GT1=35009

Depression

The Surprising Silver Lining of Depression
Some mental health professionals suggest feeling sad can actually make you healthier in the long run.
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100272686&GT1=31009

Study: Freedom trumps wealth in search for happiness
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100273247&GT1=31009

How I discovered bliss ... from bumper stickers

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/depression/how-i-discovered-bliss-from-bumper-stickers?GT1=31009

Celebrity and Identification

Why are we drawn to celebrities?
We know that celebrities are important because they are ... celebrities. But what makes them so? And what psychological functions does following them, and finding out about them, have?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-psychology-fiction/201106/celebrity-and-identification

A Culture of Bribery?

Can cultural differences lead us to bribe?
There is a fairly universal view that bribery is an immoral practice, yet as the World Bank notes, more than $1 trillion (or 3% of the world GDP) is paid annually in bribes. Fascinating new research by Nina Mazar and Pankaj Aggarwal at the Rotman Business School in Toronto suggests, however, that the contributions to this figure may differ immensely across cultures.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-character/201106/culture-bribery

The Pitfalls of Perfectionism

Holding yourself to impossible standards almost always backfires.

When the Bar Is Too High

Perfectionists are often doomed to a lifetime of doubt and depression.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/when-the-bar-is-too-high

Are You Undermining Your Achievements?

Why some types of perfectionists succeed more than others.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/are-you-undermining-your-achievements

The Perfect Path to Overeating

Why the most fastidious eaters end up binging.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-perfect-path-overeating

Our Flawed American Dream

We have everything the American Dream prescribed. So why aren't we happy?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/our-flawed-american-dream

Why self-compassion is healthier than self-esteem

Why we should stop chasing self-esteem and start developing self-compassion

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/why-self-compassion-is-healthier-self-esteem

The Top Three Valentine's Day Pitfalls

How to withstand all the pressure and hype.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-top-three-valentines-day-pitfalls

Fear of Flow? Trivialize the Task
Blocks arise when what you want to do matters too much.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/fear-flow-trivialize-the-task

The Sweet Smell of Failure
Getting what you want may not get you what you need.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-sweet-smell-failure

Words of healing for perfectionists: Forget your perfect offering
Words of healing for perfectionists
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/words-healing-perfectionists-forget-your-perfect-offer

The trouble with optimism
Optimism can be harmful if you always expect to succeed
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-trouble-optimism

Constantly Ruminating?
Certain perfectionists are predisposed to distress and overthinking.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/constantly-ruminating

The Procrastination-Perfectionism Connection
How to break the link.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-procrastination-perfectionism-connection

In Praise of Perfectionism
Why it shouldn't get a bum rap.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/in-praise-perfectionism

The Fiction of Superwoman
Shredding the ideal female script.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-fiction-superwoman

Unlocking Your Success Equation
Success demands taking a risk and learning from it.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/unlocking-your-success-equation

Only Six and She Thinks She's Fat
What philosophy tells us about body ideals.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/only-six-and-she-thinks-shes-fat

The Perfect Warrior
Our fixation on military-level fitness.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/the-perfect-warrior

Quit Trying So Hard!
Don't let your inner critic get the best of you.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/the-pitfalls-perfectionism/quit-trying-so-hard

Can Social Media Hurt Your Social Life?

We're suddenly grasping that tweeting and hasty messaging can have real-life repercussions. Here's how to make social media work for you.

The Seven Sins of Facebook

Using psychology to avert social media disasters

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/the-seven-sins-facebook

Send! No Wait!

The perils of typing without thinking

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/send-no-wait

Digital, But Still Human

Online or off, there's a limit to our friend circles

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/digital-still-human

The Psychology of Twitter

Do tweets help us find meaning in small things?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/the-psychology-twitter

Gossip, Social Networking, and Job Satisfaction: Why Personality Matters
Is Facebook a Digital Gossip Device?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/gossip-social-networking-and-job-satisfact

Controlling Your Image Online
Your first impression should be the best impression
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/controlling-your-image-online

Do E-Connections Help or Hurt Relationships
The social impact of technology
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/do-e-connections-help-or-hurt-relationship

Email Easy Street
How our reliance on email changes face-to-face interaction.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/email-easy-street

The tweets that bond
The social psychology of twitter
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/the-tweets-bond

What can and does Facebook do for you?
Living and loving in a virtual world
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/what-can-and-does-facebook-do-you

Bridling envy in the age of Facebook
Social status hierarchy negotiation now follows us 24/7
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/bridling-envy-in-the-age-facebook

The Dangers of Email, Facebook and Twitter
Facebook and Twitter Communication Follies
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/the-dangers-email-facebook-and-twitter

Healthy Digital Habits for Babies
Rescue baby readers and resolve the mind/body problem.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/can-social-media-hurt-your-social-life/healthy-digital-habits-babies

Redefining Activism
Four ways the web fuels social change
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/redefining-activism

The Decline and Fall of the Private Self
How does our tell-all culture affect the psyche?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/the-decline-and-fall-the-private-self

More Friends, Closer Friends
Facebook provides increasing trust, citizenship, and social ties. Who knew?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/more-friends-closer-friends

How Social Media Help Introverted Kids
They have the capacity to open students' minds
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/flattening-hierarchies

Does Facebook Make Us Sad?
When we need to reach out in person, not online
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/does-facebook-make-us-sad

The Skinny on Facebook
How the web raises the risk of eating disorder
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/the-skinny-facebook

What Are the New Rules of Texting?
I certainly don't know the rules of texting, do you?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/what-are-the-new-rules-texting

Psychotherapy 2.0
Should therapists Google or Tweet their clients?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/psychotherapy-20

World Wide Prey
Keeping an eye on teen victimization
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/world-wide-prey

"Is this E-Mail Rude?"
Ask yourself, "exactly who's angry at whom?"
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/is-e-mail-rude

Friend Me
Surviving popularity contests in the age of Facebook
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/friend-me

Did Technology Kill Love?
Has technology killed real love?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/did-technology-kill-love

The Moral Benefits of Facebook
Facebook has made me a better person.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/the-moral-benefits-facebook

The False Face of Our Social Media Persona
Fundamental pitfalls of social media relationships
http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/the-false-face-our-social-media-persona

Cyberbullying
What therapists will be hearing more often

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201105/can-social-media-ruin-your-social-life/cyberbullying

Get Moving!

You've heard it: Exercise is important. Before you groan, consider the many ways to add movement to your life—and enjoy it, too.

Why Sitting Isn't Pretty

Obese people sit an average of two and a half hours more a day than slim people.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/obesity-sitting-isnt-pretty

Walk This Way

No need to envy marathoners. Walking is just as good for your mind and body.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/mind-your-body-walk-way

So You Think You Can Dance?

You can. And when the body swings, the mind is swayed.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/dance-therapy-spin-control

Average Man, Superhuman Feat

How—and why—an average guy became an ultramarathoner.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit/average-man-superhuman-feat

The Alexander Technique for Chronic Back Pain

Moving toward less back pain.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/the-alexander-technique-chronic-back-pain

How to Create Real Change in Your Relationship

Latest research on what to do and what not to do!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/how-create-real-change-in-your-relationship

Go Ahead and Jump---or At Least Run

Running from arthritis.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/go-ahead-and-jump-or-least-run

Procrastination Nation

How to use your urge to procrastinate to be productive.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/procrastination-nation

Would Buddha Make a To-Do List?

Stop procrastinating. Make your to-do list work.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/would-buddha-make-do-list

The Secret to Exercising More and Feeling Great

Why self-image is key to your workout plan.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/the-secret-exercising-more-and-feeling-great

Should Schools Teach Relationship Ed?

Why do schools have sex ed, but not relationship ed?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/should-schools-teach-relationship-ed

When exercise becomes dangerous

Exercise can be too much of a good thing.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/when-exercise-becomes-dangerous

How to generate hundreds of new ideas

How to generate the new and novel ideas you need.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/how-generate-hundreds-new-ideas

A neuropsychological perspective on procrastination

What aspects of executive functioning are related to procrastination?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/neuropsychological-perspective-procrastination

Structured Procrastination: When all else fails

Read this to avoid the other stuff you should do!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/structured-procrastination-when-all-else-fails

I Drink Therefore I Work Out

Does it lead to more alcohol use (or vice versa)?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/i-drink-therefore-i-work-out

When Exercise Isn't Enough

Are the benefits of the gym overstated?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/when-exercise-isnt-enough

Mow, Mow, Mow Your Lawn

Cut down stress by mowing the grass.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit/mow-mow-mow-your-lawn

Putting Off Your Workout?

Welcome to the club.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/kick-procrastination-and-get-fit

Think Like An Athlete

5 experts offer advice on using brainpower to build brawn.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/weight-training-put-your-mind-it

The Secret to Longevity - It's About Character, Not Just Calisthenics

Results from 80 years of research on personality & health

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/the-secret-longevity-its-about-character-not-just-calis

5 Keys to a Long Life

How to keep on kicking.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/five-keys-long-and-fulfilling-life

Sedentary No More

Bring your body sense to work today

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/new-research-shows-sedentary-work-contributes-weight-ga

Is "Butt in Chair" Always Best?

Writers: leave your chair and increase your productivity.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-fit-top-tips-exercise/is-butt-in-chair-always-best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biltHTOIPOQ

Explains the importance of generating many ideas for solving a challenge. The more ideas you have to choose from, the greater are the chances that you will get a good idea. Dr. Roger Firestien of the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College, and Suzanne Chamberlin of the Creative Education Foundation explain Written by Jonathan Vehar of the consulting firm, New and Improved.

Exercise Good for Depression: Whose Bright Idea Was That?

Exercise Good for Depression: Whose Bright Idea Was That?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/collections/201106/get-moving/exercise-good-depression-whose-bright-idea-was

Living with a dog

A dog-owner speak often of their dog, their faithful companion. They've found them to be like having a toddler around--you have to know where they are and what they are doing at all times.

If the work you do requires lots of focus and concentration, to work without distraction. Is there a perfect breed of dog?

Can someone who lives happily without a dog learn to live happily with one?

Four factors combine to create riots after sporting events

Why an NHL riot is more likely than a Wimbledon riot

What factors combine to create riots after sporting events?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201106/why-nhl-riot-is-more-likely-wimbledon-riot

It's possible to replace envy with ecstasy

If Buddha Was CEO: The Four Immeasurables in Business

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/awake-the-wheel/201106/if-buddha-was-ceo-the-four-immeasurables-in-business

The REAL reasons you Tweet? The Psychology Behind Tweeting

What are the real, closeted reasons behind the act of “tweeting”? Why would someone spend hours tweeting to complete strangers he/she has never met before and will probably never meet in person? What needs does tweeting fulfill? Do we really think of the psychology behind our tweeting habits?

Here are some of the main reasons behind the act of tweeting based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Model:

• Meeting new people from different backgrounds and various locations around the world.
• Establishing connections with others, grow friendships, build relationships and maybe even find love (or at least talk about it to many others who might be feeling the same!).
• Building on self-confidence through interacting with tweeps who continuously praise your tweets, personality, knowledge and/or looks.
• Earning respect from your Twitter peers by providing them with valuable content, tips and links.
• Developing and spreading your creativity in an open and receptive Twitter atmosphere.
• Learning new skills related to problem-solving, enhancing interpersonal competencies and improving overall communication habits.
• Winning products, through sweepstakes and promotions, that have the ability to make you feel “important” and “unique” such as the Macbook Pro.
• Feeling with others on a deeper level through spreading the news about humanitarian causes, environmental problems, economical issues or political debates, and eventually making a difference.
• Achieving fame through proposing ideas that will become trending topics or uncovering site hacks and problems.

Now that I have listed the psychological needs behind using Twitter, which need would you say Twitter satisfies for you? And do you think there are other needs that Twitter fulfills?

http://tweepi.com/blog/2011/06/why-do-people-really-tweet-the-psychology-behind-tweeting/

Understanding the Psychology of Twitter

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-tao-innovation/200903/understanding-the-psychology-twitter

What do we pay attention to?

Once we learn the relationship between a cue and its consequences—say, the sound of a bell and the appearance of the white ice cream truck bearing our favorite chocolate cone—do we turn our attention to that bell whenever we hear it? Or do we tuck the information away and marshal our resources to learning other, novel cues—a recorded jingle, or a blue truck?

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-attention_1.html

There are seven tests of true love.

How Will I Know If He Really Loves Me?
The Seven Tests of True Love
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/building-great-marriages/201106/how-will-i-know-if-he-really-loves-me

1. If you observe his actions rather than his words, what have you learned?

2. Does he always treat you with respect or does he do so sparingly and inconsistently?

3. In your relationship, are you relegated to second-class citizenship or are you an equal partner?

4. When you are in love, you know this - you cannot imagine life without the one you love!

5. People who truly love each other tell each so everyday of their lives together.

6. One of the underlying notions in the best relationships is this - "I trust him with my life and my sacred honor - I trust him more that life itself."

7. In the end, if he really loves you, he is always there for you - through the good times and the bad.

The measure of his love for you is always, in the end, about consistency.