History Archives

The Benefits of Psychedelics for Individuals and Society

What are some unexpected benefits of psychedelics? How do psychedelics contribute to humans’ cognitive and spiritual evolution? In How to Change Your Mind, Michael Pollan explains that psychedelics have important social and cultural implications for human society. Psychedelics may have even helped early hominids evolve into the self-aware homo sapiens we are today. Check out how these substances could help get us out of some of our modern messes.

Behaviorism Experiments That Pushed Psychology Forward

Who began behaviorism experiments? What animals were commonly used in these experiments? Behaviorism is the study of why people and animals behave the way they do and how they learn. Psychologists often used dogs, cats, and rats to examine behavior because it yielded better results than a philosophical approach. Keep reading to learn more about certain behaviorism experiments that changed the face of psychology.

What Is Psychoanalysis in Psychology? History & Contributors

What is psychoanalysis in psychology? What was Sigmund Freud’s contribution to the exploration of the mind? One main approach to psychology in the early 20th century was psychoanalysis, or psychotherapy, which was more common in Europe. The focus of psychoanalysis is on the internal workings of the mind and the treatment of mental illness through therapy. Below we’ll discuss some of the most influential figures and concepts in psychoanalytic theory.

A History of US-China Relations: Opium Wars to Normalization

How did the Opium Wars impact the US? What opened up China to foreign trade and missionaries? Has the relationship between the US and China ever been good? Hostility between the US and China has been growing for over a decade, eroding the wary but pragmatic relationship of years past. In The Avoidable War, Kevin Rudd explains that today’s situation is best understood in its historical context. Continue reading for an illuminating history of US-China relations.

Developmental Psychology: History, Stages, and Figures

What is the history of developmental psychology? How do children’s minds grow into those of adults? How humans grow from children to adults was actually widely misunderstood until the 1930s. It wasn’t until Jean Piaget came along that people finally began to understand how cognitive processes change over time. Find out more about these changes with the help of The Psychology Book‘s description of developmental psychology history.

How Shelly Knotek’s Daughters Survived Their Childhood

How did Shelly Knotek abuse her daughters? How did the young victims escape the horrific abuse? If You Tell by Gregg Olsen explores the various ways in which Shelly Knotek abused her victims along with her husband Dave’s help. Her first victims were her three daughters—Nikki, Sami, and Tori—and it took them years to finally get the help they needed to escape. Keep reading to learn what Shelly Knotek’s daughters had to endure during their childhood.

Shelly Knotek, Ron Woodworth, & the Deadly Bonds of Trauma

What happened to Shelly Knotek’s friend Ron Woodworth? What injuries led to his death? As a friend of Shelly Knotek, Ron Woodworth came to live with her and her family in 2001. But, problems arose when he started to fall into the same cycle of abuse as Shelly’s former victims did. Keep reading to learn how Ron became a victim of Shelly’s abuse.

Is Shelly Knotek Still in Prison? Her Arrest & Its Aftermath

When was Shelly Knotek arrested? Is Shelly Knotek still in prison? If You Tell by Gregg Olsen ends his book about murderer Shelly Knotek by depicting her last years abusing people, the lead-up to her arrest, and where she is now. Many will be surprised to learn that Shelly was released from prison in 2022. Keep reading if you want to know about Shelly Knotek’s arrest and what’s happened since.

Michelle Knotek and Shane Watson’s Deadly Relationship

What’s the relationship between Michelle Knotek and Shane Watson? How did Michelle (Shelly) manipulate Shane until his death? Shane Watson didn’t know what he was in for when he came to live at his aunt’s house. According to Gregg Olsen’s book If You Tell, it didn’t take long until Shelly began humiliating Shane to the point she had her husband kill him. Below we’ll examine the life and death of one victim of Michelle Knotek, Shane Watson.

Shelly Knotek’s Victims: Who She Abused and Murdered

Who were Shelly Knotek’s victims? How many of these victims escaped with their life? If You Tell by Gregg Olsen is the story of notorious murderer Shelly Knotek. With the help of her husband, Shelly abused and killed three people, while her daughters managed to live a life away from their mother after her arrest. Let’s look at a list of Shelly Knotek’s victims to see who suffered the worst of her abuse.