Psychology Archives

Are Humans Inherently Good or Evil?

Are humans inherently good or evil? Are we born good and corrupted by civilization? Or does civilization correct and curb our inherently evil nature? For millennia, philosophers have debated humankind’s true nature. According to author Rutger Bregman, there are two philosophers in particular who’ve shaped this debate: Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Hobbes believed that humans are inherently selfish and cruel, whereas Rousseau maintained that we’re fundamentally decent and want to do the right thing. Let’s take a look at both sides of the debate.

Effects of Imperfect Parenting in Romantic Relationships

What are the effects of imperfect parenting? How does parenting affect our romantic relationships? How your parents raised you will define you for the rest of your life, especially in romantic relationships. In Getting the Love You Want, Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt say that imperfect parenting can cause you to seek out romantic partners that resemble your parents. Read below for the effects of imperfect parenting on your adult relationships.

How to Make Someone (Really) Trust You

What is the importance of knowing how to make someone trust you? What is the best way to earn someone’s trust? According to The Speed of Trust author Stephen Covey, trust is your most valuable asset in life, yet society greatly undervalues trust in relationships. When learning how to make someone trust you, Covey suggests giving trust is just as important as earning trust. Keep reading to learn how to make someone trust you, according to Covey’s explanation.

How to Process Suppressed Feelings

6 Common Signs You Are Suppressing Your Emotions

Do you often suppress your feelings to avoid confrontation or disagreement? What are the psychological consequences of suppressing your feelings? Suppressing your feelings is a negative mental habit that can have a serious effect on your psychological well-being. Suppressed feelings continue to live on inside you, get stronger the more you try to deny them, and morph into irrational thought patterns and emotional reactions that stifle your capacity to feel positive emotions. Learn about the consequences of suppressing your feelings and some ways to release them.

Rutger Bregman: Humankind Is Fundamentally Good

Are humans fundamentally good or bad? Or are we neither? How do expectations define human behavior? In his book Humankind, Rutger Bregman argues that our view of humanity creates a feedback loop. In other words, we get what we expect from people. By changing our mindsets, we can create a positive feedback loop that leads to a friendlier and more peaceful world. In this article, we’ll discuss why Bregman believes having a more positive outlook on humanity can create positive change in our society.

Imago Dialogue: Improve Communication in Dating

What is the Imago Dialogue? How do you use it to improve relationships? According to Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt in Getting the Love You Want, the Imago Dialogue is a communication tool to down emotional walls. This tool is especially useful for couples who have trouble communicating relationship problems. Read below to learn more about the Imago Dialogue.

How to Control Your Thoughts: Take Responsibility

Do you sometimes think something and wonder: “How on earth could I have thought that?” Where do thoughts come from? Is it possible to control your thoughts? As the popular adage goes, you shouldn’t believe everything you think. While you can’t totally control the stream of your consciousness, you can control how to react to the thoughts that come to your mind—whether to brush them off or to give them weight by entertaining them further. With this in mind, here’s how to control your thoughts.

Getting the Love You Want: Book Overview

What is Getting the Love You Want about? What should you take away from the book? In Getting the Love You Want, Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt suggest that we unconsciously seek out romantic partners to help us resolve unfinished business from our childhood. Hendrix and Hunt designed a process to change the way couples interact and transform their lives into a conscious union. Read below for a brief overview of the book Getting the Love You Want?

Human Violence Is the By-Product of Civilization

Is violence a part of human nature? Or was our good nature corrupted by civilization? In his book Humankind, Bregman argues that human violence is not a natural impulse. He maintains that humans’ transition from foraging to civilization created societies that were more violent, less equitable, and less healthy. However, human nature by itself is fundamentally good. Let’s take a closer look at the negative effects that began to arise when our ancestors made this transition.

Getting the Love You Want: Quotes With Explanations

What are the most important quotes from Getting the Love You Want? How can these quotes help you heal your childhood wounds? According to Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt, you can engage your conscious mind to take control of your relationship. You can do this by becoming aware of the subconscious needs that drive what you expect from your significant others. Read below for insightful Getting the Love You Want quotes with explanations.