Psychology Archives

The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal (Book Overview)

What is Kelly McGonigal’s The Upside of Stress about? What is the key message to take away from the book? The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal goes beyond fight-or-flight to explore the nuances and overlooked benefits of stress. McGonigal claims that with a balanced understanding of stress and a positive mindset, you can transform your stress from a hindrance into a resource. Below is a brief overview of The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal.

The Big Four Tech Companies: The Secrets to Their Success

Just how big are the big four tech companies? What are the four deep human desires that these companies appeal to? The Four—Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google—are among the largest companies in the U.S., and their products and services infiltrate every aspect of American life. In The Four, Scott Galloway takes a hard look at these technology companies that dominate the modern marketplace. Keep reading for an explanation of just how pervasive these companies are and the two factors that are major contributors to their continuing success.

The Best Books on Confidence and Character-Building

How can you become more confident? Is confidence a personality trait or a skill you can develop with practice? The first step towards becoming more confident is believing that confidence is something that can be attained, that it’s a skill that can be cultivated and honed with practice. Then, the question becomes: how exactly do you practice something as elusive as confidence? There are many answers to this million-dollar question, and these books on confidence offer perspectives worth exploring.

The Best Books About Trauma: Reclaim Your Life

Do you want to learn about psychological trauma? How do traumatic experiences change us as people? Dealing with psychological trauma is a uniquely personal experience, which can make you feel alone and helpless. But the paths towards healing have been trodden by others who’ve experienced similar misfortunes. Reading books about trauma can help you see how others have navigated similar experiences so you can see them in a new light. In this article, we’ve compiled a roundup of the best books about trauma from our library.

Self-Sabotage: Definition and Why We Do It

What is the definition of self-sabotage? How can you overcome this toxic behavior? To sabotage yourself means destroying yourself physically, emotionally, or mentally, and preventing yourself from achieving success. In The Mountain Is You, Brianna Wiest goes into more detail about the definition of self-sabotage and why we do it. Read more for the detailed self-sabotage definition.

Breaking Down the Organization of the Brain

50 Types of Mental Models for Better Decision Making

What does the organization of the brain look like? Is our brain just a layered structure? Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett claims that the brain is organized as a network of neurons. By understanding the brain’s organization, we can recognize the flexibility and resilience of the human brain and learn what makes it different from the brains of other animals. Keep reading to learn more about the organization of the brain.

The Lizard Brain Myth—Debunked by Science

What is the lizard brain myth? Why have scientists debunked this myth? There’s a neuroscience myth that claims a small part of the brain functions entirely on instinct, like a lizard’s. However, Lisa Feldman Barrett’s book Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain debunks this theory, saying our brains are different than other animals’ brains. Continue reading to learn why the lizard brain myth isn’t true.

Stoicism on Anger: Why It’s the Most Destructive Emotion

What are the opinions of Stoicism on anger? Why is anger the most destructive emotion? How can you manage your anger better? On anger, Stoicism claims it is the single most destructive emotion to happiness. According to author Derren Brown, whose book Happy explored the ancient Greek philosophy of obtaining true happiness, anger is one of the three major obstacles to living a well-balanced and fulfilling life. Read on to learn how Stoicism explains anger and strategies to defuse it, according to Brown’s book.

How the Human Brain Works: A Breakdown of the Brain

How does the human brain work? What is the brain’s most important job? The brain’s most important job is allostasis, which manages the body’s energy budget. According to Lisa Feldman Barrett in her book Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain, all other brain functions are secondary. Keep reading to learn how the human brain works.

The Importance of Collaboration for Brain Health

What is the importance of collaboration? How do our brains support socialization? The brain requires input from our environments to properly develop. Long after it’s done developing, however, the brain continues to solicit information from other brains to perform daily tasks. Learn why collaboration is important for the development of human brains, below.