Psychology Archives

Daniel Pink: Autonomy vs. Independence

What is autonomy in the context of motivation? How does autonomous motivation improve performance? Autonomy gives you more internal choice over what to do and how to do it. Autonomous motivation has been associated with: greater conceptual understanding, better grades, job satisfaction, higher productivity, less burnout, faster company growth, and better psychological health. According to Daniel Pink, autonomy is acting with internal choice but it is different from independence. In this article, you’ll learn about the autonomy component of motivation.

The Confidence Code: Book Overview

What is The Confidence Code about? Why do girls tend to grow up less confident than boys? In their book The Confidence Code, journalists and authors Katty Kay and Claire Shipman examine confidence—what it is, why it’s important, and why women seem predisposed to have less of it than men. While the book focuses on confidence in women, much of the confidence-building advice applies to men too. Below is a brief overview of the key takeaways from The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.

Use Ulysses Contracts to Make Rational Decisions

What is a Ulysses contract? How can it help you make better decisions? A Ulysses contract is a commitment you make to yourself. It’s a way to use your rational mind now in an effort to override your irrational mind later, when it’s time to make a decision. Keep reading to learn about Ulysses contracts.

Daniel H. Pink on How to Increase Intrinsic Motivation

What is intrinsic motivation? What are the three elements of intrinsically motivated behavior? As the name suggests, intrinsic motivation is an internal drive to perform a behavior or engage in an activity. According to Daniel H. Pink, the author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, there are three components of intrinsic motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. In the book, he gives a number of tips on how to increase intrinsic motivation. We’ve grouped them into three categories: 1) personal motivation, 2) motivation in the workplace, and 3) motivation with your children.

How the Unconscious Mind Communicates to Us

What is the unconscious mind? How and why does it communicate to us? The unconscious mind makes up the vast majority of our minds. While dreams are perhaps the best-known form of unconscious communication, they aren’t the only form. Such communication can support us in many ways and contribute to our personal growth. Read more to learn about the unconscious mind and how it communicates to us.

The Confidence Code: Quotes by Kay and Shipman

Are you looking for The Confidence Code quotes by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In their book The Confidence Code, Katty Kay and Claire Shipman shed light on the psychology behind confidence. You’ll learn what confidence is, why it’s important, and how women seem predisposed to have less of it than men. You’ll learn where confidence comes from and how to build it. Below is a selection of The Confidence Code quotes by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman.

Drive by Daniel H Pink: Book Overview

Are you feeling unmotivated in your job and life? Are you finding your current goals unsatisfying to keep working toward? Drive by Daniel H. Pink believes your work structure is to blame. Historically, employers have motivated employees through financial rewards and kept workers on a tight leash. These principles worked well when people were primarily working in assembly lines, but today’s creative work demands more: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Below is a brief overview of the key points and takeaways.

The Curse of Knowledge: Blinded by Expertise

What is the curse of knowledge? How does it get in the way of effective communication? Sometimes we’re blinded by the curse-of-knowledge bias, assuming that others know what we know. As a result, we fail to communicate effectively and compellingly. When we learn to get around this cognitive bias, we can craft messages that are clear and convincing. Read more to learn how the curse of knowledge hampers communication.

Teach Discipline to Your Kids: The 2 Things You Need

What’s the best way to teach discipline to children? What must parents do? To support a child’s development, the most important skill a parent can pass on is discipline. That’s the view of M. Scott Peck, in his classic book The Road Less Traveled. To teach discipline, two components are critical: love and attention. Read more to learn how to teach discipline to your kids.

Adam 1 and Adam 2: Re-Balance Your Two Worldviews

What’s the problem with living a me-focused life? Why is it important to balance the two Adams that live inside of you? In his book The Road to Character, David Brooks discusses the shift in the societal focus from “we” to “me.” To demonstrate that shift, Brooks talks about the idea that there are two Adams that live inside you, Adam 1 and Adam 2. Brooks says that you don’t need to choose sides, rather, you need to find a healthy balance between the two Adams. Keep reading to learn about the problems with a me-focused attitude and how to