Psychology Archives

Social Signaling Through Spending: Why We Buy Stuff

Why would someone buy a Tesla? Why do some people post photos of their glitzy hotel rooms on Instagram? Just as body language allows us to communicate about things we’d never put into words, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that many of our actions double as social signals or conspicuous fitness displays. This is especially noticeable when it comes to how we spend our money and other resources. Read more to understand the concept of social signaling through spending.

Why Is It So Hard to Focus? 7 Factors Explained

Why is it so hard to focus? What external factors are making it hard to concentrate? In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari cites seven reasons why it’s so hard to focus. These factors are outside of your control and contribute to the attention crisis we’re living in. Discover the seven factors below to see if any of them are affecting you.

2 Common Roadblocks to Getting Over Anxiety

How hard is it to get over anxiety? What will get in your way if you seek treatment? Even if you fully buy into the goal of eliminating your anxiety, you might run into additional roadblocks. Dr. Judson Brewer’s book Unwinding Anxiety says that the two main roadblocks are overthinking and beating yourself up. Keep reading to learn why getting over anxiety isn’t as easy as many people think.

What Is the Goal of Communication? The Secret Motive

What is the goal of communication—really? Why did Sheila talk to you at the office Christmas party? Why did she nod her head at almost everything you said? Hidden motives are a byproduct of humanity’s social nature, so it’s no surprise that they show up in our most fundamental forms of communication. Both our speech and our body language are full of messages other than the ones we’re directly aware of. Keep reading for an enlightening discussion about the hidden goals of conversation and body language.

It Is Better to Be Feared Than Loved: Machiavelli Explains

Is it truly better to be feared than loved? Why does Machiavelli think so? This assertion from The Prince has become an adage over the centuries. You’ve probably heard it, but you might not know what Machiavelli means and what his argument is. Continue reading to understand why Machiavelli believes that it is better to be feared than loved.

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari: Book Overview

What is Stolen Focus by Johann Hari about? What are the main takeaways of the book? If you’ve been struggling to concentrate, you should know you’re not alone. In Stolen Focus, Johann Hari makes the case that we have a societal attention crisis: We’re all losing our ability to concentrate, which means we can’t progress on our individual goals. Read below for a brief overview of Johann Hari’s Stolen Focus.

The Top 3 Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety

What are the best mindfulness exercises for anxiety? Can you practice these exercises every day? In Unwinding Anxiety, Judson Brewer argues that you can defeat anxiety with mindfulness. Brewer provides a set of mindful exercises you can use to improve your life by overcoming anxiety. Read below for three mindfulness exercises to cope with anxiety.

3 Ways to Stay Motivated That You Can Try Today

What are the most effective ways to stay motivated? How can you stay motivated even when feeling overwhelmed? Bestselling author and award-winning journalist Steven Kotler believes the key to staying motivated involves how your brain functions when under stress. According to Kotler, adopting a positive attitude sustains motivation by generating more “reward chemicals” in the brain. Keep reading to learn Kotler’s three ways to stay motivated by maintaining a positive mindset.

Why Do We Lie? How We Hide Our Motives

Why do we lie about our motives? Why do we seek to deceive others and ourselves about the reasons for our behaviors? At first glance, the idea of hidden motives may seem convoluted. The answer, according to Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, is that, as a cooperative social species, we evolved to advance our own interests while appearing as selfless as possible—and it’s easier to deceive others if we’ve already deceived ourselves. Let’s explore this theory about why we tell lies about our reasons for doing what we do.

Stolen Focus: Quotes With Explanations

What are the most memorable quotes from Stolen Focus? How can these quotes help you understand the attention crisis? Stolen Focus explores Johann Hari’s evidence of an attention crisis, the seven factors causing this crisis, and his three-part solution. He also says can’t collectively confront the major challenges humanity faces because of the crisis. Below we’ll look at three Stolen Focus quotes that explain his argument.