Psychology Archives

Ideological Development: Are Political Views Innate?

How are political views formed? Do we learn them? Or are we born with them? In The Righteous Mind, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt discusses how we can have more constructive conversations with people who have different political leanings than our own. Interestingly, he believes that political ideology is at least partially innate, not just learned. He offers three keys to understanding ideological development, which can help bridge the divide. Read more to learn about ideological development.

The Psychology Behind Your Sexual Imagination

What do sexual fantasies tell us about ourselves? What do they symbolize? And why do we keep them to ourselves? Our sexual imagination is a gateway to our sexuality—erotic fantasies reveal a lot about our inner sexual worlds. According to psychotherapist Esther Perel, sexual fantasies are unlike regular fantasies in the sense that they are symbolic, not literal. Further, sexual fantasies are often in contradiction with our self-image which is why people tend to keep them to themselves. Keep reading learn about the psychology behind sexual fantasy and what your sexual thoughts reveal about you.

CBT Therapy Techniques to Improve Your Mental Health

What are some effective CBT therapy techniques? How can these CBT therapy techniques help you improve your mental health? Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat mental health disorders and challenge negative thinking patterns. Using effective CBT therapy techniques can help you apply the principles of CBT to your own life, improving your mental health. Find the 27 best CBT therapy techniques below.

Neuro Associations: Why You Make Bad Decisions

What are neuro associations? Why do we often decide not to do things that we know would benefit us? Why do we snack on chips when we know fruit is better for us? The answer lies in our pain and pleasure neuro associations. The driving force behind all of our decisions—and, thus, our actions—is the motivation to avoid pain and seek pleasure. Understanding our neuro associations can help us to understand why we do the things we do and prevent us from making bad decisions in the future. Learn more about neuro associations below.

Why Difficult Feedback Affects Your Identity

How to Communicate Effectively in 11 Steps

How do you react to negative feedback? Does criticism make you act defensive? Why do you think that is? According to communication experts Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, the reason some people react defensively to difficult feedback is that it challenges their identity—who they feel they are. You can even be triggered by feedback that isn’t directly about you, but is instead about someone close to you. Because your identity is formed in part by comparison to others and the success of your peers can reflect on your own. Keep reading to learn how your identity story influences your criticism

Untruth #3: The Untruth of Us Versus Them

Why is the “us versus them” mindset so destructive? How has intersectionality contributed to the problem? In what ways have these problems contributed to call-out culture? Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff, co-authors of The Coddling of the American Mind, discuss the three “Great Untruths” in modern society. The first of those untruths is the untruth of “us versus them.” In their book, they discuss where this mindset originated from and what the implications are. Keep reading to learn what Haidt and Lukianoff have to say about the dangers of the “us versus them” mindset.

Tony Robbins: Leverage (and Why You Need It)

What does Tony Robbins say about leverage? How can psychological leverages motivate you to make changes in your life? If you often struggle to motivate yourself, you might need psychological leverage. Tony Robbins’ leverage for motivation is where the pain of continuing your behavior outweighs the pain of making a change. Use this to achieve any goal, whether it’s going to the gym, quitting smoking, or making a change in your romantic relationship. Keep reading for more about Tony Robbins, leverage, and how to cultivate it.

Untruth #2: The Untruth of Emotional Reasoning

In the book The Coddling of the American Mind, what is the untruth of emotional reasoning? Why do Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff say that you’re better off trusting logic and reason than your emotions? In their book, co-authors Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff name three untruths that have gained a strong foothold among young people, especially those on college campuses. The second of the three untruths is the untruth of emotional reasoning, or always trusting your emotions and gut instinct. Keep reading to learn why the authors say emotional reasoning is a bad idea.

The Jungian Self: Unlock Your Artistic Genius

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

What is the Jungian Self? How can understanding this concept help you achieve artistic success? The Jungian Self is a key aspect of psychologist Carl Jung’s model of the psyche. In this model, Jung explains the difference between the Self and the Ego, which are both key aspects of consciousness. Knowing about the Jungian Self can help you to understand your motivations and achieve your creative ambitions. Learn about the Jungian Self below.

Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory: The 6 Foundations

What is Jonathan Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory? What does he believe are the six foundations of morality? Jonathan Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory puts forth six foundations of morality that we all have, but in different proportions. They are based on how people in various cultures deal with life’s challenges and what they regard as virtues. Read more to learn about Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory.