Psychology Archives

The Fifth Discipline: Systems Thinking Explained

What exactly is “systems thinking” in Peter Senge’s The Fifth Discipline? How does systems thinking relate to the other four disciplines? Systems thinking is the fifth discipline in Peter Senge’s framework for creating a learning organization. Systems thinking ties the other four disciplines together to create a cohesive management system where all the different parts work well together to produce the best possible results. Here’s how you can implement the systems thinking discipline at your organization.

The Fight-or-Flight Response: What It Is & How It Aids Survival

What is the fight-or-flight response? How can the fight-or-flight response work against you? The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction to a perception of threat. It mobilizes your physiological resources to prepare you to face danger. However, this response has negative effects, too: when you perceive danger where there isn’t any, you experience unwarranted fear and anxiety. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of the fight-or-flight response and how it aids survival.

What Are Your Biases? How to Use Questions to Identify Them

What are your biases? Do you assume that something is true just because it’s what you’ve been told? In The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking, award-winning educators Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird emphasize that your view on a subject will, undoubtedly, have bias. They recommend using questions to look for bias in your perspective (not just your argument) and to guard against authority bias. Keep reading to learn how to use questions to identify and eliminate your biases.

The 3 Types of Stress Response, Explained

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Instinctive Reaction Tendency

How do psychologists define stress? What are the three types of stress response? According to psychologist Kelly McGonigal, stress is your response when something valuable to you is at risk. Depending on the stress trigger and your perception of it, McGonigal defines three types of stress response: the fight-or-flight (threat) response, the challenge response, or the tend-and-befriend response. Below, we’ll examine each one.

The Power of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)

What is NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)? How can the NLP method help you reprogram your mind for success? Neuro-linguistic programming is a set of techniques aimed at changing one’s behavioral patterns or thinking processes. It is premised on the principle of modeling: You copy what somebody else does to achieve the desired result. Keep reading to learn about the power of NLP, according to Tony Robbins.

How to Ask the Right Questions: Targeting the Main Issue

When you’re solving a problem, what are the most effective questions to ask? How can you make sure you’re thinking in the right direction? The right questions are the ones that give you a relevant foundation and point you in a helpful direction. In The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking, Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird discuss the importance of asking the right questions and explain what makes them effective. Keep reading to learn how to ask the right questions to guide your thinking toward your next most important idea.

What Is the Monkey Mind & How to Tame It

What is the monkey mind? What causes it? How can you tame your monkey mind? Michael Singer is an American spiritual teacher, motivational speaker, and author. Through the lifelong practice of meditation and yoga, Singer recognized his unwanted mental chatter—his monkey mind—and described advice for silencing it in his book The Surrender Experiment. Keep reading to learn more about what the monkey mind is and how to tame it, according to Singer.

A Closer Look at the Science of Stress: Is It Bad for You?

Is stress really that bad for you? In what way can stress be a good thing? Most people are led to believe that stress is bad for their health and that they should try to avoid it. Although stress can be harmful, the research supporting this negative view misrepresents stress’s true, nuanced nature. In this article, we’ll discuss the science of stress, when it’s harmful, when it can be beneficial, as well as the different forms stress can take and how these affect you.

Taking Control of Your Life: Advice From Tony Robbins

Do you lack a sense of control over your life? Do you feel torn between different goals, unsure where to channel your energy? According to Tony Robbins, taking control of your life starts with taking control of your mind. In practice, this means aligning all of your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with your goals. In other words, making sure that what you think and what you do are really getting you closer to what you want. Let’s discuss three of Robbins’s tips for how to gain power over your mind by aligning your goals, thoughts, and beliefs.

How Embracing Stress Can Help You Be Happier

Why should you embrace stress? How can embracing stress as an integral part of your life help you live a happier and more fulfilling life? Since early human civilization, ancient philosophers have claimed that stress is a normal part of life. Modern psychological research also shows that the most reported causes of stress are factors beyond your control (e.g. inflation). Furthermore, embracing stress helps you grow and develop as a person. Here’s why you should embrace stress instead of avoiding it like a plague.