Psychology Archives

Memory Distortions: Reconstructing the Past

Is memory an accurate record of the past? Can you think of a memory that you remember in vivid detail? Do you believe those details are accurate? Memories are mere representations of events—not accurate recordings—and thus they easily become distorted. There’s no way you can remember every detail of an experience. Instead, you remember certain aspects, and when you call up the memory, you unconsciously fill in the details. This lends itself to memory distortions. Here is how memories become distorted and how they affect your learning process.

Finding Your Values in Life: Where to Even Start?

What are your values in life? Are there any values you’d like to change? Why is it important to define and live by one’s personal values? In his book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson talks about finding your values. Your personal values are the basis for everything you do. That’s why it’s important to discover what you value, what values may be harming you, and how to fix your negative values. Continue below for everything you need to know about finding, understanding, and changing your personal values.

Avoiding Responsibility: How It Harms Mental Health

When you avoid responsibility, what impact does it have on your wellbeing? How can you develop a stronger sense of responsibility? Avoiding responsibility is a bad idea, according to psychiatrist M. Scott Peck. It signals a lack of discipline, which is crucial for growth. He explains the problems that you can face when you avoid responsibility, and he offers advice on how you can learn to accept responsibility. Keep reading to learn about the impact of avoiding responsibility—and how you can work to turn it around.

How Choice Overload and Ambiguity Thwart Change

What is choice overload? How does it impact our ability to change? Choice overload happens when people are overwhelmed with options. It can lead to decision paralysis—when we end up either doing nothing or doing the same thing every time. Ultimately, it makes change difficult. Too much ambiguity, just like too many options, can thwart change efforts. Keep reading to learn how to overcome choice overload and ambiguity in order to bring about change.

Can You Increase Your Intelligence? Science Says Yes

Can you increase your intelligence? Or is IQ fixed at birth? Is human IQ genetically predetermined or can it be improved? Contrary to what many people think, your IQ isn’t predetermined. In fact, Americans’ average IQ has risen over time, likely because of changes in nutrition, schools, and culture. Learn about the factors that affect your IQ and some strategies for improving your intelligence.

The 7 Major Causes of Depression and Anxiety

What are the most common causes of depression and anxiety? Why isn’t biology the main cause of depression? The main causes of depression and anxiety are acute loneliness, childhood trauma, loss of purpose in life, and a severe disconnection with nature. There are biological factors that can make an individual vulnerable to depression, but these factors are usually latent. It is social, psychological, and environmental factors that can trigger a genetic tendency to have depression and anxiety. Read on to learn more about the major causes of depression and anxiety.

Why Parents Should Teach Kids to Defer Gratification

Why should parents keep their kids from developing an attachment to immediate gratification? What problems arise when a child doesn’t learn to defer gratification? M. Scott Peck, in his book The Road Less Traveled, argues that the first and most valuable tool you can develop to support spiritual growth is discipline. There are four key components to discipline. One of them is the ability to defer gratification. He explains two problems that can occur when a child fails to learn this skill. Keep reading to learn about the problems that can arise when we don’t defer gratification.

Trusting Your Gut Feeling: Helpful or Irrational?

Is it a good idea to trust your gut feeling? Is making decisions based on a “feeling” irrational? Can your gut feeling lead you wrong? Both Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell seem to think that trusting your gut feeling is a powerful process and allows us to make quick and intuitive decisions. However, Gladwell does point out some flaws with this type of snap decision-making. Keep reading to learn what Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell have to say about trusting your gut feeling

A Growth Mindset: Think and Change

What are the two types of mindset? What’s the role of mindset in behavior change? There are two primary types of mindset: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that you’re wired a certain way and can’t change. If you have a growth mindset, you believe you can grow if you put in the effort. You’re far more likely to change when you believe that you can. Here’s how having a growth mindset can help you make behavior change a reality.

The Rule of 100: Creating Discounts and Deals

What is the rule of 100? How can you make a discount seem like a better deal to customers? The rule of 100 states that if a product’s original price is under $100, a percentage-based discount—for instance, 30% off—will appear more attractive to customers. Likewise, if a product’s original price is above $100, a numerical discount—for example, $50 off—will impress customers more. If you apply this rule when creating your discount, you can maximize its attractiveness and increase the likelihood that it’ll be shared. Find out how you can use the rule of 100 to improve your discounts.