Psychology Archives

Self-Observation: 2 Reasons to Monitor Your Thoughts & Feelings

Do you want a better understanding of why things are the way they are? How can you intentionally ignore unwanted circumstances? Vadim Zeland claims that self-observation has two major benefits. First, it helps you understand why you’re experiencing your version of reality instead of the version of reality that you want. Second, it breaks the feedback loop that perpetuates your current version of reality. Read more to learn how observing your thoughts and emotions helps you weaken unwanted circumstances and reclaim your emotional energy.

Roland Barthes: Myth’s Creation, Function, & Dangers

What’s a myth? How is a myth made and used? Are myths dangerous? According to 20th-century French philosopher Roland Barthes, myth is all around us. In Mythologies, he discusses the process of mythmaking. He identifies the basic components of myth and explains what function they have in society. He also warns that myths can pose certain dangers. Continue reading to understand Barthes’s take on myth.

What Is Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule & Why Is It Important?

What is Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule? How can you use the Rule to take control of your life? In The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins explains how you can assert agency over your life by just counting down from five to one over the course of five seconds and acting when you reach one. This method is helpful for those who overthink and hesitate on tasks. Keep reading to learn more about Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule and how it can help you.

Self-Justification Examples: How We Excuse Our Wrongs

What are some examples of self-justification? Why do we want to protect ourselves from cognitive dissonance? Rather than admitting wrongdoing or accepting contradictory beliefs, most people find ways to justify their actions to themselves and others. According to Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson in their book Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), this process is called self-justification. Keep reading to look at self-justification examples to better understand the psychology behind it.

How Do Habits Form and Become Second Nature?

What exactly are habits? What role do habits play in your life? How do habits form? Habits are thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that you engage in regularly. Your habits are the foundation of your personality because they represent your way of being and acting in the world. Therefore, changing your life requires changing your habits. Keep reading to learn how habits develop and how they become second nature.

How to Recognize Propaganda: 3 Tell-Tale Features

How pervasive is propaganda? How can you tell when a message is manipulative? Propaganda is all around us. It might be a song, an image, an advertisement, or a headline. In Mythologies, Roland Barthes explains how myth is basically propaganda. He warns against its influence, so it’s important to know it when you see it. Keep reading to learn how to recognize propaganda and keep from being deceived and used.

Mel Robbins’s 5 Second Rule: Psychology and Uses

What is the psychology behind the 5 Second Rule? How can you use the Rule to improve your life? In The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins explains that the 5 Second Rule can be used to improve your life in three ways. These three ways are to jump into action, be bold and follow your gut, and control impulsiveness. Let’s explore each use in detail and the 5 Second Rule’s psychology.

Desired Reality: How to Identify What You Want to Experience

What’s your desired reality? What brings you joy? What inspires you? Vadim Zeland argues that, since your version of reality simply reflects your emotional energy, you can control which version of reality gets reflected back to you by matching your emotional energy with that reality. One way to redirect your energy is to identify your desired reality. Continue reading for Zeland’s advice on how to do this, along with some input from a few psychologists and self-improvement authors.

Are Humans Rational? No, But We Think We Are

Are humans rational? Are we less rational than we think we are? In Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson say that we’re naturally inclined to believe that we’re rational actors moving through an ordered existence. However, our rationality can’t justify the bad things we do. Find out why we use rationality to excuse bad decisions, and whether humans are as rational as we think we are.

How to Induce Alpha Brain Waves Using Meditation

What are alpha brain waves? How can you put your brain into an alpha frequency on demand? Alpha brain waves are low-range brainwaves associated with a state of calm and relaxation. In his book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, Joe Dispenza recommends an alpha brain waves meditation practice to induce a state of alert calm. Keep reading to learn how to put your brain into the alpha frequency.