Psychology Archives

Emily Nagoski: What Causes Sexual Desire?

What causes sexual desire? How does context or environment affect our perception of sexual stimuli? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, the best way to think about desire is that it’s the result of context interacting with what we find pleasurable. In other words, depending on the contextual factors at any given time, we may or may not find something pleasurable enough to want more of it. Keep reading to learn about the causes of desire, the different ways people experience desire, and what causes a lack of desire.

The Paradox of Choice: Book Review and Context

Is Barry Schwartz’s book The Paradox of Choice worth reading? How was the book received when it came out? Did it make an impact? In The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz contends that the vast array of choices presented to us leaves us stressed and indecisive. To lift this burden, Schwartz, a professor of social theory and social action, recommends we learn how to better navigate our choices, from groceries to health insurance. Here is our The Paradox of Choice book review.

Normal Sexuality: Dispelling the Misconceptions

Is there such a thing as “normal sexuality”? How does modern culture misrepresent female sexuality? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, our culture tells women that there’s a standard for female sexuality, and they aren’t living up to it. What our society considers sexually “normal,” in terms of everything from anatomical structure to a person’s level of desire for sex, is based on the experience of the average man. This is because until relatively recently, research has focused heavily on men and male-centric models of sexuality. In this article, we’ll look at some of the misconceptions around female sexuality.

How to Develop Self-Discipline: 6 Tips From Sharma

Why is self-discipline so important? What steps can you take to become more disciplined in your daily life? Self-discipline may sound harsh, but it’s actually a form of self-care. In his book Who Will Cry When You Die?, Robin Sharma goes over the six methods you can use to build your self-discipline so you can improve on your own terms. Here is how to develop self-discipline, according to Sharma.

Dealing With Regret: What Are the Consequences?

What are the major consequences of dealing with regret? In what ways can regret affect our ability to make decisions? Other than the obvious consequences of feeling sad when you regret something, regret can have more detrimental effects on your mental health. Two consequences of regret are developing regret aversion and avoiding sunk costs. Additionally, the more options you have to choose from, the worse the regret will feel. Keep reading to learn all about regret.

How to Change a Habit: 7 Strategies for Success

How do habits develop? How can good habits help you study and learn more effectively? Your habits—good or bad—have a major impact on your life. When you understand how habits work and how they develop, you can use them as a force for good. Author Barbara Oakley shares seven strategies for changing habits that you can put to work for you. Continue reading to learn how to change a habit.

Lack of Sexual Desire? Causes and Solutions

What causes a lack of sexual desire? Does a lack of desire happen mostly due to physical or psychological factors? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, lack of desire can most often be attributed to psychological factors (e.g. context, emotional states). In her book Come as You Are, she even goes as far as to say that there isn’t really a lack of desire—just an abundance of the wrong contextual factors, such as the circumstances, emotional states, and cultural messaging. Here is what Nagoski has to say about the lack of desire and what to do about it.

Declutter Your Mind to Think Like a Monk

Is your mind full of clutter such as feelings of overwhelm, confusion, and anxiety? How can you declutter your mind and invite more clarity into your life? Jay Shetty, the author of Think Like a Monk, says there are three steps to developing a monk mindset: purify, clarity, and exemplify. The first stage, purify, involves decluttering your mind so you can focus on what really matters. Keep reading to learn about purifying your mind.

Why More Is Less: The Downsides of Maximizing

Why is it better to be a satisficer than a maximizer? How can maximizing actually lead to anxiety and depression? There are two types of decision-makers: maximizers and satisficers. Maximizers try to weigh every option and won’t make a decision until they’re sure that it’s the best one. Alternatively, satisficers will settle for an option that is “good enough.” You would think that maximizers would be happier in the end because they made the better choice. However, satisficers tend to come out on top. Continue reading to learn why more is less.

What Is Hedonic Adaptation? Understand & Overcome It

What is hedonic adaptation? Why do things that once excited you become more disappointing each time you do them? Can this tendency be overcome? Hedonic adaptation is when you really enjoy something the first time you experience it, but the more you get used to it, the less pleasurable it becomes. This tendency is impossible to outrun, but it is possible to learn to live with it. Learn more about hedonic adaptation below.