Psychology Archives

Improve Your Learning Retention: Retrieval Practice

What’s the best way to practice memory retention? How do you improve the accuracy and the speed with which you recall information? The most effective way to improve learning retention is through retrieval practice. Retrieval is any exercise that requires you to recall the information or skill you’ve learned. Retrieval practice can take the form of a classroom quiz, self-testing with flashcards, and making up your own questions about key concepts to test yourself later. Learn more about how to improve learning retention using retrieval practice.

Acceptance of Reality Is a Key to Mental Health

How is acceptance of reality related to mental wellness? What if you have a distorted perception of reality? You live according to what you believe to be true. If you have a distorted perception of truth, you live out of sync with reality. According to psychiatrist M. Scott Peck, living according to a belief system that doesn’t align with reality is the basis of most mental illnesses. That’s why acceptance of reality is so important. Continue reading to learn how acceptance of reality is a key to mental health.

Practical Value in Marketing: Useful Products Sell

What is practical value in marketing? How can you effectively provide value for your customers? A key aspect of contagious products and ideas is that they are useful to the customer. You can add practical value to your product or idea by creating an amazing discount, or by providing useful information for your customers once they’ve brought your product. Keep reading for more about practical value in marketing.

How to Implement Change in an Organization

How can you successfully implement change in an organization? What is the key to enacting change that sticks? In their book Switch, Chip and Dan Heath dive into the inner workings of change, offering actionable advice for creating changes that not only succeed but stick. They share four ways to implement change in an organization, while also providing keys to change in general. In this article, we’ll take a look at four practical ways to implement change in an organization: insider advice, emotional appeals, progress acknowledgement, and praise.

Having Low Energy? Your Mind May Be the Problem

Do you feel low on energy for no apparent reason? Do you constantly feel tired, struggling to summon enough energy to enjoy life and do what needs to be done? According to Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, having low energy is often the result of what’s going on in your mind—your thoughts affect how you feel physically. When your thoughts tell you you’re tired, the body accepts this and feels tired. But when your mind and thoughts are engaged and interested in what you’re doing, you have the energy to keep going indefinitely. Here

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.