Psychology Archives

What Are Cognitive Distortions? How We Self-Sabotage

What are cognitive distortions? How do they negatively impact our lives? Cognitive distortions, also known as Saboteurs in Shirzad Chamine’s book Positive Intelligence, are inaccurate or irrational thoughts that negatively impact our lives. They are survival mechanisms developed in response to stress. But, in adulthood, they hinder our happiness and success. Read on to learn how cognitive distortions develop and discover what the most common types are.

How the Expectation Effect Impacts the Brain & Body Connection

How do the brain and body work together? How do expectation effects impact this connection? In The Expectation Effect, David Robson looks at the mechanisms that make physiological expectation effects work. They’re especially powerful because of the way they influence your brain to interact with other systems in your body. Let’s look at how the brain and body connection makes your predictions come true.

Secondary Trauma Treatment: 5 Self-Care Strategies

Are you suffering from secondary trauma? How do you treat this form of emotional duress? Recognizing secondary trauma as a real infliction is an important first step in coping with it. If you want to continue being a trauma steward, but don’t want to experience the stress of it, you need to follow these five strategies. Here are successful strategies for secondary trauma treatment that you should try.

Why Do People Fall for Scams? How Con Artists Build Trust

Why do people fall for scams? How do con artists gain the trust of their victims? If you’ve ever fallen for a scam, you probably feel embarrassed or ashamed. But the con artist manipulated you to think you could trust them like an old family friend. Check out how con artists use a false sense of trust to get what they want, according to The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova.

Positive Intelligence Quotient: How to Increase Your PQ

What’s a Positive Intelligence Quotient (PQ)? What’s a good exercise to increase your PQ? The Positive Intelligence Quotient measures your ability to keep your Sage in control and your Saboteurs at bay. Shirzad Chamine explains that higher percentages indicate greater control. Only 20% of people have a PQ of 75% or more, showing that Saboteurs often outweigh the influence of the Sage. Read on to learn about the Positive Intelligence Quotient, and take an exercise to increase your PQ.

The Expectation Effect: The Psychology of Predictions

Are you interested in expectation effect psychology? How do your brain’s expectations affect your body? Because of the connection between your body and your mind, both physiological and psychological mechanisms can produce expectation effects. In The Expectation Effect, David Robson explores how expectation effects affect your health and how you carry out tasks. Keep reading to learn about the inner workings of expectation effects.

How to Self-Reflect and Cope With Secondary Trauma

What’s the importance of self-reflection? How does reflecting on yourself help workers in trauma care? People who help others cope with their trauma should be praised for the work they do. But these heroes sometimes forget that they need to take care of themselves, as well. If you’re one of these people, keep reading to learn how to self-reflect and improve your health.

The 2 Emotional Manipulation Tactics Con Artists Use

What are common emotional manipulation tactics that con artists use? How do con artists persuade you to do what they want? In The Confidence Game, Maria Konnikova writes that con artists will persuade you to do something by making an action seem more appealing and removing any potential reasons not to take the action. They rely on two main manipulation tactics: alpha and omega tactics and superiority bias. Find out more about these emotional manipulation tactics so you don’t fall for them.

Jordan Peterson: Beauty Deserves a Room in Your Home

Remember the sense of wonder you had as a child? How much of that do you still have? According to Jordan Peterson, beauty plays a vital role in life. In Beyond Order, he urges you to adopt this rule: Try to make one room in your home as beautiful as possible. He explains what difference this can make in your life. Continue reading to learn about the importance of beauty from Peterson’s perspective.

The 5 Sage Powers: How to Combat Your Saboteurs

What are the five Sage powers? How can they help you to combat your Saboteurs? According to Positive Intelligence, the Sage powers are a set of abilities that can help combat self-sabotage and the influence of Saboteurs. These powers serve as antidotes to the negative influence of the Judge and other Saboteurs that create damaging, irrational thoughts. Read on to learn about the five Sage powers and how to use them, according to Positive Intelligence.