Psychology Archives

Why Comparing Ourselves to Others Is Unhealthy

Why should we stop comparing ourselves to others? What damage can it cause? Are there any benefits that come from comparison? Brené Brown, the author of The Gifts of Imperfection, asserts that comparing ourselves to others causes emotional damage and stops us from living authentically. She says that one way to fight comparison is to embrace our creativity because it cultivates individuality. Continue for more of Brené Brown’s take on comparison, and whether or not the research supports her claims.

Behavioral Residue: The Key to Long-Term Marketing

What is behavioral residue? How can implementing this marketing method ensure your product remains visible in the long term? Behavioral residue is a marketing tactic used to ensure a product remains visible to potential customers for a long time. Visibility is important as people are not going to talk or think about your product if they don’t know about it. Adding behavioral residue will ensure your product visibility continues in the long term and doesn’t fade away, ultimately ensuring increased sales. Keep reading to learn more about behavioral residue.

Interleaved Practice: Mixed Learning Helps Retention

What is interleaved practice? How does it compare to mass practice? Which method is more effective and why? Interleaved practice is a study technique where you alternate between several topics or skills, instead of focusing on one thing at a time. Although it may seem counterproductive to study this way, interleaved practice is actually more effective than massed practice because it boosts retention and emulates real life—where you’ll encounter situations that require a mix of different skills and knowledge. Keep reading to learn about interleaved practice and why it’s more effective than mass practice.

A Closer Look at the Effect of Placebo Antidepressants

What is the effect of placebo antidepressants on depression? What is the harm in using placebo drugs to treat depression? Placebo antidepressants work by stimulating the drug user’s belief in the power of the treatment to cure depression. The drug itself cannot cure depression, it is the placebo effect of using the drug that instigates improvement in the patient. The harm comes from the side effects of antidepressants which include weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and increased risk of diabetes. Read on to learn more about the effect of placebo antidepressants.

The Quest for Ideological Purity on College Campuses

How is the “us versus them” mindset causing a quest for ideological purity in colleges? Why is it so important to have diverse viewpoints? In their book, The Coddling of the American Mind, Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff believe that many colleges today are trending towards ideological purity rather than diversity. They state that this way of thinking can lead to persecution of those who are perceived to be dissenters and can lead to intimidation and fear. Keep reading to learn why ideological purity in colleges is dangerous.

The Case for the Biopsychosocial Model for Depression

What is the premise of the biopsychosocial model for depression? How has the biopsychosocial approach affected the chemical imbalance theory of depression? The biopsychosocial model for depression dispels the perception of depression as a brain disease and instead recognizes biology, psychological history, and social factors as the root causes of depression. The biopsychosocial approach has been adopted by most psychiatrists at the expense of the chemical imbalance theory. Read on to learn more about the biopsychosocial model for depression.

Social Currency: The Key to Successful Marketing

What is social currency? How can this concept be applied to your marketing strategy? Social currency refers to the influence or value you bring to the people around you. If talking about a product or service improves people’s social currency, it will dramatically improve engagement, word of mouth, and sales. This is because people will want to talk about and share your product if it will make them seem more interesting to others. Keep reading to find out more about social currency and how you can use it in your marketing strategy.

How to Overcome an Inferiority Complex

How does inferiority complex affect one’s personality? How do people develop inferiority complexes? And what can be done to overcome one? Inferiority complexes create barriers in our personalities, stopping us from achieving our full potential. They are often the result of emotional damage done to us in childhood or the result of childhood circumstances. Below are some tips on how to overcome an inferiority complex and grow belief in yourself.

The Chemical Imbalance Theory—Debunked

Is the chemical imbalance theory of depression true? How does the book Lost Connections challenge the theory? Research shows that there is no evidence that having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals can solely lead to depression. The book Lost Connections challenges the chemical imbalance theory by exploring the biopsychosocial model which posits that psychological, social, and biological factors are the main causes of depression. Read more about why the chemical imbalance theory is flawed.

Vincent Peale on How Emotions Affect the Body

Do you believe that emotions can “spill over” into your body? How can negative emotions influence your physical state? When you have an unhealthy emotional life marked by feelings of anger and resentment, your energy and vitality can sag and your physical health can diminish. According to Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, this happens because what you think in your mind has a profound effect on how you feel in your body. In this article, we’ll discuss how emotions affect the body and what you can do when negative emotions take over to restore