Debunking the Left Brain/Right Brain Myth

Debunking the Left Brain/Right Brain Myth

Are there really right-brained and left-brained people? What are the characteristics associated with right- and left- brain dominance? In pop psychology, people are described as either left-brained (analytical and orderly) or right-brained (creative and imaginative). However, this distinction doesn’t actually have any basis in neuroscience. The left brain/right brain myth has long been debunked, although we still use these terms to describe personality and thinking style. Here’s why the left brain/right brain theory is moot.

The Link Between Social Interaction and Mental Health

The Link Between Social Interaction and Mental Health

How does a lack of social connection affect your mental health? Why is it important to maintain social connections throughout life? Psychological research increasingly shows that social connection is important for your psychological well-being. Strong social connections are a better predictor of long, happy lives than social class, intelligence, or genetics. Keep reading to learn about the link between social interaction and mental health.

Psychology: Where Do Emotions Come From in the Brain?

Psychology: Where Do Emotions Come From in the Brain?

Where do emotions come from in the brain, according to psychology? Do emotions come from a specific brain region? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett, emotions cannot be linked only to a certain part of the brain, like your amygdala. Rather, Barrett has found a more complex explanation for how your brain processes emotion. Keep reading for Barrett’s groundbreaking explanation of where emotions come from in the brain.

How Much Exercise Do You Need a Day?

How Much Exercise Do You Need a Day?

How much exercise do you need a day? How does a lack of physical activity affect your health? The amount and kind of exercise one needs varies significantly from person to person. Nevertheless, a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity a day is recommended by health professionals. Prolonged inactivity poses serious health risks, including metabolic and cognitive problems. Here’s how much exercise you need a day to keep your body and mind healthy.

The Purpose of Religion in Society: Cementing Social Norms

The Purpose of Religion in Society: Cementing Social Norms

Why do most religions have rules about marriage and sex? What difference does it make when religions have norms related to appearance? In The Elephant in the Brain, Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives hidden behind altruistic pretexts. The authors say that religion, too, is shaped by ulterior motives, and they share their theories about what they think religion is really about. Continue reading to find out more about the purpose of religion in society, according to Simler and Hanson.

The Colonization of the U.S.—How Slaves Built America

The Colonization of the U.S.—How Slaves Built America

What role did slavery play in the colonization of the United States of America? Was America really built on the backs of the enslaved? According to Nikole Hannah-Jones, an American investigative journalist and the author of The 1619 Project, the mainstream story of the colonization of the U.S. is based on half-truths, hypocrisies, and inaccurate information. The American colonists didn’t succeed due to their hard work. The survival and prosperity of American colonists were almost entirely due to the labor of slaves. Here’s how slaves built America.

What Is Mindfulness? Practice a Stress-Free Life

How to Harness the Power of Your Subconscious Mind

What is a mindfulness practice? Do you want to live a stress-free life? You can’t solve a problem you haven’t noticed yet, so the first step to treating anxiety is to recognize the behavioral and thinking loops that create and result from anxiety. To do so, you need to practice mindfulness so that you’re more aware of your thoughts and actions. Below is Dr. Judson Brewer’s explanation of mindfulness, as written in his book Unwinding Anxiety.