Psychology Archives

The Big Ego Problem: 4 Ways It Sabotages You

What is the big ego problem and why is it an issue? How can an inflated ego compromise your ability to succeed in life? Ego is an unhealthy belief in one’s own importance—a sense of superiority that goes beyond mere confidence. Having a big ego problem means you distort your perception of the world so that you’re seen as the central figure and you see everyone else as either subservient or oppositional. Here are four reasons why the big ego problem can sabotage your success.

Loss Aversion Bias: Serving the Glass Half-Empty

What is the loss aversion bias? How can it help you secure a stronger position in a negotiation? The loss aversion bias is a type of framing effect. In the context of negotiating, it involves framing your offer in such a way that emphasizes loss as opposed to gain. Read more to lean how to use the loss aversion bias in a negotiation.

Emotional Labeling: Acknowledge and Validate Feelings

What is emotional labeling? How can labeling others’ emotions help you build rapport and develop intimacy? As the name suggests, emotional labeling is the act of identifying and putting a label on an emotion. When you label someone’s emotions, you’re acknowledging their emotional state and making them feel like it’s safe for them to feel that way. Keep reading for more about emotional labeling.

Implicit and Explicit Memory: What’s the Difference?

How to Visualize Success and Achieve Your Goals

What is the difference between implicit and explicit memory? What kinds of information do they store? There are two types of memory: implicit and explicit memory. Explicit memory is the conscious, deliberate recollection of factual and autobiographical knowledge. Implicit memory is the knowledge that you draw upon without consciously realizing it. Read about the difference between implicit and explicit memory.

Negotiation Styles: One Size Does not Fit All

How do you identify your negotiation style? More importantly, how do you identify your opponent’s? What negotiation styles are there? The three negotiation styles are accommodating, analytical, and assertive. The key to a successful negotiation is, then, knowing how to approach each of these styles in consideration of your own. We’ll cover advice on how to deal with different negotiation styles, and tips if you are that style.

Don’t Talk About Your Goals: Talk Is Cheap

Why do they say “don’t talk about your goals?” How can publicizing your goals compromise your chances of achieving them? If you are into personal development, chances are you are familiar with the “don’t talk about your goals” mantra. There are several ways talking about your goals can prevent you from achieving them. Read on to find out why they say “don’t talk about your goals.”

Expressing Anger Nonviolently: Learning Not to Lash out

Is there a way of expressing anger in a nonviolent, constructive way? How can you show the other person that you are angry without displaying all the usual signs of anger? Expressing anger in a healthy way starts by taking responsibility for it. To do that, we have to accept that other people are never the true cause of our anger—they are the stimulus. Here are some tips for expressing anger in a nonviolent and constructive way.

How to Develop Emotional Intelligence in Children

How do you explain emotions to a child? What are some strategies to teach emotional intelligence to children? Children with high emotional intelligence are better able to cope with difficult emotions because they understand that feelings are temporary. They are also more adept at recognizing the complexity of their own and other people’s emotions. Here are two lessons for teaching emotional intelligence to children.

The Selfish Gene Theory: How Does It Work?

What is the selfish gene theory? How does it depart from traditional biologists’ views of organisms and evolution? The selfish gene theory, developed by evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins, contradicts traditional perspectives in biology and evolution. He argues that life is best understood from the genetic perspective as opposed to the organismal perspective. Read on for more about the selfish gene theory.

Active Listening: Negotiation Requires Listening Well

What is active listening in negotiation and why is it so important? What can do you do to improve your active listening skills? Active listening in negotiation is critical for you to be successful. It can help you disarm your counterpart and show them that you really care about what they have to say. Read more about active listening, negotiation, and how to make your counterpart feel heard.