Psychology Archives

Peak States: The 4 Elevated States of Mind Explained

What is a peak state of consciousness? What are the four different altered states that you can achieve? In their book Stealing Fire, Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal explore the concept of peak states and place them in a historical context. They claim that altered states of consciousness are subjective experiences that are different from normal consciousness, while peak states occur at the high end of the spectrum. Read on to learn about the four types of peak states, according to Kotler and Wheal.

Codependent No More Exercises to Help You Break Free

Are you plagued by stress and guilt? Do you forget to take care of yourself because you’re busy managing other people’s lives? Codependent No More is a guide to reclaiming your life from codependency. Melody Beattie encourages readers to overcome codependency with powerful messages about finding yourself, recovering self-esteem, and living a life that’s free and full of joy. Continue reading for nine Codependent No More exercises that will help you break free from codependency.

Signs of Lying: How to Spot Potential Deception

What are the telltale signs of lying? What signs should look out for to confirm your suspicions that a person isn’t being truthful? Deception is a complex psychological process, and no behavioral cue can tell you with certainty that someone is lying. However, as a general rule of thumb, when someone is trying to deceive you, they’ll exhibit insecure body language. Keep reading to learn how to spot potential deception, according to former FBI agent Joe Navarro.

Poor Decision-Making: Why Mental Illness Isn’t to Blame

Is poor decision-making a result of mental illness? Why is good mental health bad during a crisis? You may think we got it backward, but we didn’t—mental illness can be good to have during a bad situation, and good mental health is not. That is, at least for influential leaders who are under a lot of pressure. Find out why poor decision-making, mental illness, and crises aren’t all directly connected.

The Importance of Attitude in Learning: Why It Outshines Aptitude

Does the aptitude theory of learning hold water? What can help you excel even if you’re not in the “gifted” category? Science now says that we’re capable of learning more and better than we think. So, built-in aptitudes are no longer seen as the be-all and end-all when it comes to how much and how well we learn. Math educator Jo Boaler explains that the way we think about learning matters tremendously. Keep reading to discover the importance of attitude in learning.

Advancements in Psychology Offer New Ways to Heal & Grow

What are some recent advancements in psychology? How are they creating new opportunities for psychological healing and growth? According to Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal, advancements in psychology are uncovering the mysteries of peak states of consciousness. This cultural shift toward exploring human potential began decades ago and has led to a more open-minded approach to psychological study. Read on to learn how recent advancements in psychology are revealing the potential of peak states of consciousness.

Michelle Obama on Racism and Mental Health

How does racial discrimination affect one’s mental health? What psychological problems are victims of racial discrimination likely to suffer from? Discrimination occurs when a person is different from the majority in some way and is treated poorly because of those differences. In her book The Light We Carry, Michelle Obama writes that being discriminated against on the basis of superficial differences (e.g. race) makes people self-conscious and primes them to behave in ways that are acceptable to others. Here’s what Michelle Obama has to say about racism and mental health.

How to Detect a Lie: 5 Tips From a Former FBI Agent

How can you tell a person is lying? Can you know with certainty someone is being untruthful? According to former FBI agent Joe Navarro, there’s no definitive behavioral response that indicates someone is lying. However, as a general rule of thumb, someone who is lying will display insecure behaviors because deception takes mental effort and causes stress. With this in mind, here are some tips on how to detect a lie.

Advancements in Neuroscience Decode Higher Consciousness

What are some important advancements in neuroscience? How have they helped us to understand different forms of human consciousness? According to the book Stealing Fire, advancements in neuroscience are decoding peak states of consciousness. With new technologies, researchers are uncovering the conditions that correlate with these states, allowing us to distinguish between normal consciousness and peak states. Read on to learn how these advancements in neuroscience are helping to explain peak states of consciousness.

How to Understand Your Emotions & Stop Suppressing Them

Why is it bad to suppress your emotions? How do you understand your emotions effectively? Steve Magness’s book Do Hard Things attributes self-improvement and healthy toughness to the ability to understand your emotions. This is because when you ignore your emotions, you’re not allowing yourself to live life as fully as possible. Check out how to understand your emotions so you can make good decisions and be mentally strong.