Redefining Patience: A Psychological Exploration
December 20, 2024 - 14:30
Patience, often considered a virtue, has long been a concept that eludes clear definition. UC Riverside psychology researcher Kate Sweeny has taken a closer look at this intriguing trait, questioning its traditional associations. While philosophers and religious scholars extol patience as a moral quality, Sweeny notes a common sentiment among individuals who identify more with impatience. This discrepancy prompted her to investigate whether patience is truly linked to moral character or if it is more about our coping mechanisms in the face of everyday frustrations.
In her research, Sweeny aims to delineate the characteristics of both patience and impatience, exploring the underlying factors that influence these behaviors. By examining how people respond to delays and obstacles, she hopes to uncover the psychological elements that shape our experiences of waiting and frustration. This inquiry not only seeks to clarify the nature of patience but also challenges the notion of it being an inherent virtue, suggesting instead that it may be more about our responses to life's challenges.
MORE NEWS
April 15, 2026 - 05:26
Psychology says people who are single in their 40s aren't commitment-phobic or too picky—they've developed a relationship with solitude that makes most partnerships feel like a downgrade, and that realization changes what loneliness actually meansFor decades, single adults in their 40s have faced a persistent narrative: they must be too picky, commitment-phobic, or simply broken. Emerging perspectives from psychology now challenge this...
April 14, 2026 - 19:46
Starting over, finding purposeDoris Pena, a psychology student at Iowa State University, embodies resilience and redirection. Her journey to campus was far from linear, but each detour solidified her ultimate goal. As a...
April 14, 2026 - 08:48
MSU psychologist breaks down spring cleaning, hoarding on podcastA recent public radio discussion delved into the mental processes behind our relationship with possessions, from seasonal purges to chronic accumulation. The conversation highlighted that the...
April 13, 2026 - 20:45
The psychology behind why Justin Bieber's Coachella set made some people cry and others cringeJustin Bieber`s surprise guest appearance during Tems` Coachella set has become one of the festival`s most hotly debated moments. The performance, featuring a stripped-down rendition of `Ghost,`...