Psychology Archives

How to Make Better Decisions: Consider More Options

Is it a good idea to expand your options when making important decisions? What’s the ideal number of options for a decision? We can significantly improve our decisions by coming up with more options. Doing so guarantees that you have at least two backup options. However, having too many options overwhelms you. It’s best to aim for three to four strong, distinct options. With this in mind, here’s how to make better decisions by widening your pool of options.

What Martin Seligman’s Dog Experiment Means for Humans

What was the significance of Martin Seligman’s dog experiments? What do the results mean for humans, according to psychology? Martin Seligman conducted a series of experiments using dogs to explain his theory of learned helplessness. According to Seligman’s findings, learned helplessness exists in humans and can lead to a number of mental health problems, if left untreated. Read on to find out what Martin Seligman’s dog experiment means for the mental health of humans.

Universal Emotions: Psychology Says They Don’t Exist

What are universal emotions in psychology? Do universal emotions even exist? Which emotions are universal? In her book, How Emotions Are Made, neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett examined past psychological experiments to create a new theory of emotions in psychology. According to Barrett’s findings, universal emotions don’t exist as many psychologists previously believed. Keep reading to find out why Barrett says universal emotions are a myth, according to psychology.

The Dangers of Overconfidence in Decision-Making

How does overconfidence affect decision-making? What are some ways to mitigate hubris in your decision-making? Our hubris—or overconfidence in decision-making—makes us feel certain in our predictions about a decision’s outcome. If the outcome is different than we predicted, we’re left surprised and unprepared to deal with it. We can overcome our hubris by: 1) accepting that we can’t predict the future, and 2) preparing for a range of possible outcomes. Here are some strategies for overcoming decision-making hubris.

Defining Learned Optimism: Self-Taught Positivity

How does Martin Seligman define learned optimism? What is an optimistic mindset? How can you learn to be more optimistic? Psychologist Martin Seligman coined the term “learned optimism” as a way of demonstrating that the traits of an optimistic person can be learned by anyone, even natural pessimists. In his book, Learned Optimism, Seligman explains the concept of learned optimism, including techniques for breaking out of a pessimistic mindset. Read on to learn Seligman’s definition of learned optimism, plus how you can teach yourself optimism.

Lisa Feldman Barrett: “Emotions Don’t Happen to You”

What does Lisa Feldman Barrett say about emotions? How can it help you better understand your own emotions? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett, emotions don’t simply happen to you, rather they are constructed by you depending on your past experiences. Barrett has spent years studying emotions in the human brain, publishing her book, How Emotions Are Made, to share her findings. Keep reading for Lisa Feldman Barrett’s surprising explanation of how you create your own emotions.

Cultural Differences in Emotions: Do We All “Feel” the Same?

Are there cultural differences in emotions? How does your culture shape your emotions? Are some emotions unique to certain cultures? Lisa Feldman Barrett says emotions don’t necessarily cross borders—cultural differences shape how you experience and express emotions. According to Barrett, universal emotions are mostly a myth because the experiments they’re based on were flawed. Keep reading to learn why there are cultural differences in emotions, according to Barrett’s research.

Martin Seligman: Optimism Can Be Learned

Can optimism be learned? How can you learn to be optimistic? What is Martin Seligman’s advice? According to Martin Seligman, optimism means having an empowered and confident mindset. Seligman says you can learn to be optimistic just like you learn a new skill—through practice and dedication. Keep reading to find out how you can learn to be optimistic, according to Seligman’s advice.

Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best: The Power of Plan B

Why Having No Hope for the Future Causes Depression

Do you always have a plan B? Why is it important to plan for the worst and hope for the best, as the popular adage goes? Most of us tend to underestimate the likelihood of the worst-case scenario, thinking that the chances of it coming to pass are slim to none. As a result, we fail to make contingency plans, and if the worst does come to pass, panic ensues because we’re not prepared to face it. Here’s why you should always plan for the worst-case scenario, no matter how unlikely it seems.

Feelings and Emotions: Psychologically They’re Different

How are feelings and emotions psychologically different? How do experts explain this difference? Neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett wrote the book How Emotions Are Made after years of psychological research. Feelings and emotions are two distinct concepts, according to Barrett, and understanding the difference could help you feel better, mentally and physically. Keep reading for Barrett’s explanation of why feelings and emotions are psychologically different.