Psychology Archives

Jumping to Conclusions: The Psychology of Biased Thinking

Do you jump to conclusions? Why do we have a tendency to form conclusions before giving ourselves a chance to think things through? We tend to jump to conclusions about people and situations before we have all of the facts about them. While jumping to conclusions allows us to make quick decisions, it’s not always ideal. In psychology, jumping to conclusions is considered a cognitive bias. Learn about the psychology of the human tendency to jump to conclusions.

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Decision-Making 101

What is a cost-benefit analysis? How does the cost-benefit method compare to the pro-con method of decision-making? Cost-benefit analysis is a decision-making strategy intended to weigh the costs of a decision or choice against its benefits. Unlike pro-con lists, a cost-benefit analysis lists the cumulative costs that a decision will incur alongside its cumulative benefits. It thus quantifies the consequences of your decision. Here’s how to use cost-benefit analysis to analyze your decisions.

ADHD Counseling: How Can It Help?

What is ADHD counseling? What forms of therapy can help manage ADHD? Therapy is a common form of treatment for ADHD. Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey’s book Driven to Distraction explain how seeking out therapy can benefit people with ADHD in the long run. Keep reading to learn how ADHD counseling can help you.

Why the Pro-Con List Is a Flawed Decision-Making Tool

Three Keys to Making Better Decisions in Life

What is the purpose of a pro-con list? Why is it a bad idea to base your decisions on the simplistic pro-con analysis? The pro-con list is a decision-making strategy where you sort the advantages and disadvantages of a decision in parallel columns. The pro-con list is probably the most common decision-making tool, but it’s also the most flawed one. Here is a look at the disadvantages of pro-con decision-making.

How to Reframe Your Thoughts for More Positivity

Is it possible to control your thoughts? What can you do to prevent negative thoughts from taking root in your mind? Your thoughts shape your reality. Thinking negative thoughts sends you down the spiral of further negativity. However, you have some control over what you think. No matter how dire your circumstances are, you can reframe your thoughts by exploring different interpretations of the situation. With this in mind, here’s how to reframe your thoughts for more positivity.

Logical Decision-Making: Why Are We So Bad at It?

Why do we make decisions that contradict basic logic? What are some examples of illogical decision-making? One of the most common reasons we fail at logical decision-making is that we mistake correlation for causation. If two variables are correlated, it doesn’t mean one caused the other. In fact, causation is less likely. Here’s how mistaking correlation for causation results in misguided, irrational decisions.

Does Medication Help ADHD? What Science Has to Say

Does medication help ADHD? Why are some people against medication? Certain medications can help manage ADHD, but there is a stigma behind taking medication for this condition. In Driven to Distraction, Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey explain that some people believe they’ll become dependent on medication if they try it. Let’s look at how the authors suggest handling these misconceptions.

Reasoning From First Principles: Things to Keep in Mind

What are “first principles” in philosophy? What are some things you should keep in mind when reasoning from first principles? First principles are self-evident assumptions that ground your reasoning. For example, in deciding which career path to pursue, you might follow the first principle that upward mobility is valuable. Here are some things you should watch out for when using the first-principles method of reasoning.

How to Calm Your Mind From Overthinking: 6 Tips

Do you overthink everything? Do you want to know how to calm your mind from overthinking? Overthinking can become a harmful cycle if you don’t do anything to stop it. Eventually, your anxiety will negatively affect your mental and physical well-being if not treated. If you want to stop dwelling and start living, check out how to calm your mind from overthinking below.

Utilitarian Happiness: How It’s Measured

How does utilitarianism define happiness? What does utilitarian happiness have to do with morality? Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that prescribes actions that maximize welfare or happiness. Utilitarians argue that happiness and pain are the only ways we can measure morality—morally good things make people happy, while morally bad things cause people pain. Keep reading to learn about the utilitarian conception of happiness and how can be measured.