Psychology Archives

The Observing Self vs. the Thinking Self

What is the thinking self? Do you agree with Descartes’ philosophical notion that “I think, therefore I am?” We have two minds or “selves” that affect our response to events: the thinking self and the observing self. The thinking self provides a running (judgmental) commentary on events, while the observing self neutrally observes this running commentary. In this article, we’ll define the thinking self and the observing self and explore the relationship between the two minds.

David Epstein: The Sports Gene—Book Overview

What is David Epstein’s The Sports Gene about? What role does genetic makeup play in sports success? In The Sports Gene, David Epstein explores how our underlying genetic differences impact our performance on the sports field. As the title implies, the author suggests a strong genetic component to success in sports. However, the book also recognizes that, as complex human beings, athletes cannot be defined by genes alone. Here’s our overview of the book’s background, context, impact, and approach.

What Is Cognitive Defusion? Therapist Explains

What is cognitive defusion? How can practicing defusion help you deal with negative thoughts more productively? In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, cognitive defusion means separating yourself from your internal mental chatter. Rather than taking your thinking self’s stories as the absolute truth, through defusion, you can harness the power of the observing self to take a step back from those stories and recognize them for what they are: only words and images. Keep reading to learn about the ACT concept of cognitive defusion and some techniques you can use to defuse yourself from negative thoughts.

Surrounded by Idiots: The 4 Colors and Their Traits

What are the traits of Thomas Erikson’s four personality colors? What are the negative perceptions of each color? In the book Surrounded by Idiots, colors are used to break down the most common personalities into four categories: Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Red and Yellow personalities are considered to be extroverted, while the Green and Blue personalities are introverted. Here’s a breakdown of the four colors and the negative perceptions of each.

The Happiness Trap: Book Overview & Key Takeaways

What is Russ Harris’s The Happiness Trap about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book The Happiness Trap, therapist and life coach Russ Harris advocates for ACT, or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as a tool for getting ourselves out of “the happiness trap” and learning to deal with the pain and suffering in a productive way. Unlike CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy), which focuses on changing your thoughts to lessen suffering, ACT teaches awareness and acceptance of negative thoughts and feelings. Let’s explore the key ideas discussed in the book.

Being Happy Is a Choice, According to Ichiro Kishimi

Is being happy really a choice? If so, then why do so many people choose to be unhappy? Is it possible to change your mindset? In the book The Courage to Be Disliked, Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga write that being happy is a choice—despite your circumstances in life. They base many of their beliefs on psychologist Alfred Adler’s “individual psychology” school of thought. They propose that even a difficult past cannot make you unhappy if you don’t let it. Read more about Kishimi and Koga’s views on happiness below.

Urge Surfing: Battling Urges With Mindfulness

What is urge surfing? How can practicing the urge surfing technique help you resist the impulse to perform unwanted behaviors? Urge surfing is a therapeutic technique for dealing with unwanted urges. It’s based on the idea that most urges won’t persist for longer than 30 minutes, provided that we don’t give in to the urge or “refresh” it by giving it attention or fighting it. Keep reading to learn about the concept of urge surfing and how it can help you resist unwanted behavior.

The Happiness Trap: Review, Background, & Reception

What is Russ Harris’s The Happiness Trap about? What’s the key message to take away from the book? In The Happiness Trap, Russ Harris explores Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, a psychological discipline developed by Steven C. Hayes in 1982. While Harris didn’t develop ACT, his 2007 book helped popularize ACT, which uses a combination of behavioral and mindfulness principles and strategies. Here is our review of The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling, Start Living by Russ Harris.

The Benefits of Personality Tests in the Workplace

Are there any benefits to taking a personality test? How can understanding different personality types help you become a better communicator? While not all psychologists agree with the benefits of personality tests, Thomas Erikson (the author of Surrounded by Idiots) believes that personality type knowledge is power. Erikson says that understanding the personality types of others is like understanding another language. Continue reading for the benefits and uses of personality tests, particularly in the workplace.

Why Unhappy People Struggle With Relationships

Why do unhappy people struggle to form healthy relationships? What common belief destroys marriages? People who are always unhappy in life often struggle to form meaningful or strong relationships. The two top reasons for this are that unhappy people see others as competition, and they believe that mutual sacrifice is necessary. Learn why these two negative beliefs could be holding you back from a healthy relationship.