Psychology Archives

The Remembering Self and the Experiencing Self

What is the difference between the remembering self and the experiencing self? How do the two selves interact? The distinction between the remembering and the experiencing self was first made by Israeli psychologist and behavioral economics Daniel Kahneman to describe the two modes of self. The experiencing self exists only in the present moment, while the remembering self exists only in retrospect. Both selves interact to create perspective and inform decision-making. Keep reading to learn about the dichotomy between the remembering self and the experiencing self.

Relative Happiness: Stop Comparing Yourself

What is relative happiness? Why can comparing yourself to others be so detrimental? How can you improve your happiness levels? Relative happiness is when you ceaselessly compare your life to the lives of others. This kind of thinking will almost always result in dissatisfaction and envy. But you can learn to control your comparison compulsions. Keep reading to learn how to overcome relative happiness.

Human Sexuality and the Psychology of Love

What is the psychology of human sexuality and how does it relate to love? Why do humans fall in love? What is the difference between passionate and compassionate love? Human sexuality psychology is like that of no other animal. Human sex is not solely for reproduction and fathers actually fall in love with their mate and child. Why are we so different? It’s because of the child development process. Keep reading for more on the psychology of human sexuality.

The Elusive Nature of Your True Self

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 nature of the true self? And how can you know whether a thought or an emotion belongs to your true self? According to Michael A. Singer, the author of The Untethered Soul, your true self has nothing to do with the incessant voice you hear in your head. Your true self is the awareness behind this voice or the phenomenon that listens to this voice but doesn’t identify with it. Keep reading to learn about the nature of your true self in opposition to your inner roommate.

Placebo Effect Psychology: Questions of Ethics

What are the two mechanisms of placebo effect psychology? Is pricing a medication higher to trigger the placebo effect unethical? How can you think against the placebo effect? The psychology of the placebo effect relies on two mechanisms: faith and conditioning. If you have faith in something, then it’s more likely to work better. However, this raises ethical questions when it comes to marketing medications. Continue on for more about the psychology of the placebo effect.

Behavior Prompts: Without Them, You Can’t Change

Are you trying to rid yourself of bad habits? Do you want to develop new, positive habits in your life? How can Behavior Prompts help you? A Behavior Prompt is your reminder to initiate your new behavior. Without a Prompt, a behavior won’t properly stick. There are three different types of prompts and this article will help you choose which type is best for you. Keep reading for more information about behavior Prompts.

The Negativity Bias: Psychology and Causes

What is the negativity bias? How did the negativity bias stem from evolution? The negativity bias is the tendency for us to perceive and interpret events in our lives with pessimism. This stems from evolution because we are wired to dislike and fear bad things more than we like good things. Keep reading for more about the negativity bias.

Public Decision-Making: When Choices Are Harder

Why do we make irrational choices when we have to make a decision in public? How can we counter the urge to make unique choices? Studies show that when we have to make decisions aloud, we tend to choose things we don’t actually want in order to maintain our independence and end up dissatisfied. There are some steps we can take towards making more satisfying choices. Continue reading to learn how to make more satisfying choices when forced into public decision-making.

Spiritual Freedom: Breaking Out of Your Inner Prison

What does it mean to attain spiritual freedom? And why do you think people seek its attainment in the first place? When psychic gurus talk about attaining spiritual freedom, they are referring to releasing your psyche from being trapped by your ego. Most people live their lives trying to stay in the prison of their self-concept. But this is miserable and exhausting because the psyche is complex and ever-changing, and it requires a tremendous amount of energy to bend it to one’s will. Here’s a useful metaphor to help you understand how to attain spiritual freedom.

Marketing Freebies: Don’t Fall Into the Trap

Why are marketing freebies so dangerous? Why will we almost always choose “free” even if there’s a more logical option? We are psychologically attracted to anything that’s free, that’s why marketing freebies are such powerful tools. Even attaching the concept of “free” to a purchase can trigger you to irrationally spend more money on whatever it is. Keep reading to learn more about the power of marketing freebies.