Psychology Archives

The Importance of Acknowledgment in Communication

What role does acknowledgment play in communication? How do you acknowledge the speaker’s message without interrupting their turn to speak? Acknowledgment is an extremely important part of human communication, and it’s one that we often overlook. Recent research in the field of linguistics has put renewed focus on “backchannels,” a listener’s short interjections that acknowledge a speaker’s message without ending their turn to speak. Here is why acknowledgment is the key to smooth communication.

The Importance of Spirituality

Do you practice spirituality? Is it true that people who practice spirituality tend to be happier than those who don’t? There is a strong positive correlation between practicing spirituality and happiness. Studies have shown that those who have spirituality or religion in their lives tend to be happier and less depressed and anxious than those who don’t. Keep reading to learn about the importance of spirituality.

Make Better Decisions With Computer Algorithms

Three Keys to Making Better Decisions in Life

Why is it so difficult to make decisions? Do you often regret your decisions, thinking you should have known better? Decision-making is a cognitively taxing process, especially when the future is uncertain and the stakes are high. But it doesn’t have to be this way. According to Brian Christian and Tom Griffiths, humans already have all the tools to make smart decisions. In their book Algorithms to Live By, they explain how to make better decisions using computer algorithms. Let’s take a look at four algorithms intended to help you make better decisions.

The 3 Steps for Cultivating Lasting Happiness

You can heal with love. Discover how the love you feel in your heart can improve your physical health and help you overcome illness.

Is it possible to find lasting happiness? Can true lasting happiness be found externally? Lasting happiness is a mindset you build and isn’t contingent upon external characteristics, like wealth or status. Such factors can’t confer lasting happiness. You see this in daily life: when something great happens, like a promotion, you’re temporarily elated but soon return to your normal level of contentment. Similarly, if you suffer a setback, like a breakup, the negative feelings wear off. Here is why lasting happiness is a mindset that requires deliberate effort to cultivate.

How to Deal With FOMO—Fear of Missing Out

Why do so many people suffer from FOMO? What do you think causes FOMO? Information overload and “fear of missing out” may rank among the biggest contributors to chronic indecision. In their book Algorithms to Live By, Christian and Griffiths compare FOMO to a modem bufferbloat that slows down internet connection. Like their home modems, people who suffer from FOMO feel as if they have to do everything that’s expected of them and assume that there’s something wrong with rejecting a good opportunity. Here is how to deal with FOMO by adopting the mindset of JOMO (the joy of missing

The Dalai Lama’s Thoughts on Happiness

What is happiness at its core? Do you think happiness is a natural human state? According to the Dalai Lama, happiness is not merely an emotional state, but a mental and intellectual one. It’s about being content with your life on all levels. In his book The Art of Happiness (co-authored with Howard C. Cutler), he proposes that all humans should seek out happiness by training themselves to be happy in four different ways. Here is how to cultivate true happiness, according to the spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

How to Deal With Rejection: Try This Strategy

How do you deal with rejection? Are you the type of person who keeps trying or gives up hope and moves on? Getting rejected is painful but it’s not always the end-all-be-all—sometimes it may be worth it to keep trying. In their book Algorithms to Live By, Christian and Griffiths suggest using the so-called “Exponential Backoff” algorithm to handle rejection without totally giving up hope. Here is how the “Exponential Backoff” algorithm can help you deal with rejection.

How to Change Bad Habits in 4 Simple Steps

Do you want to know how to change bad habits? What experiments can help you weed out your bad behaviors and replace them with better ones? Bad habits are difficult to kick because they are literally encoded in your brain. According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, all successful habit changes begin with a process of experimentation to uncover the specific cues and rewards that drive your habits. He suggests that you follow a four-step process that relies on identifying your routine and experimenting with different rewards so that you can effectively isolate your cue and

What Makes a Habit?—Cue, Routine, & Reward

Why does smoking cigarettes turn into a habit but changing a tire doesn’t? What makes a habit form in the brain? According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, habits need three elements to form: a cue, a routine, and a reward. Once these three elements are in place, a habit is reinforced by craving—the anticipation of the reward when you perceive the cue. Continue reading to learn what makes a habit.

The Dalai Lama’s Tips for Overcoming Anxiety

Do you often feel anxious? What causes anxiety, and how do you overcome it? According to the Dalai Lama, anxiety, like all negative emotions, stems from ignorance. If you struggle with anxiety, educate yourself about where the anxiety comes from and whether it’s valid, recommends the Dalai Lama. Here’s how to deal with anxiety, according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.