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Showing posts from March, 2024

How Complaining Affects the Brain and General Health

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While we may think it feels good to vent, complaining has some bad effects associated with it. What aspects of life make people want to complain? Many people are grumbling regardless of their political persuasion. Cold temperatures due to winter's ice and snow also rank highly on the list of things that displease people, yet these are only the beginning. Many of us have fallen into the habit of making complaints about everything from bad hair days to troubling relationships. Even when life is going well, we often overlook the positive and fuss about one thorn among the roses. Why Isn't Complaining Beneficial? Research shows that it rewires our brain for negativity. The brain is designed to work efficiently, meaning that when we repeat a thought, negative or positive, the nerve cells form a bridge between each other to expedite the passage of information. Consequently, the next time we have a similar thought, it is more easily transmitted. This mechanism explains why certa

Stay Focused: 11 Psychological Tips

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Whether you're a student, professor, entrepreneur, or employee, staying focused is crucial. Here are some tips: 1. Plan Your Time Identify your most productive hours and schedule important tasks accordingly. 2. Train Your Brain Avoid multitasking and focus on one task at a time to improve concentration. 3. Let It Flow Adapt your schedule to your productivity levels and take breaks when needed. 4. Sleep and Eat Well Prioritize sleep and nutrition to enhance productivity and focus. 5. Make a List Write down specific goals for each session to stay organized and minimize distractions. 6. Repeat Sessions Break studying into shorter sessions for better retention and focus. 7. Clear Up Leave distractions behind when starting a new task to maintain focus. 8. Identify Distractions Recognize and eliminate distractions, such as phones or snacks, to improve focus. 9. Take Breaks Include breaks in long work sessions to stay motivated and refreshed. 10. Sepa

Most Creative People Tend to be Both Introverted and Extroverted

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Many creative individuals embody both introverted and extroverted traits at different times. For example: After a stimulating drink, quidditch may seem appealing. After work, drawing may provide relaxation. Being a blend of both introverted and extroverted traits can be advantageous for creativity, as it allows for both exploration and solitary work. The Balance of Introversion and Extroversion Extroverts thrive on social interactions, while introverts excel in solitude, yet both contribute to creativity: Extroverts release more dopamine in social settings, aiding focus and alertness. Introverts excel in quiet environments, fostering detailed thinking and planning. The Perfect Blend Combining introverted and extroverted traits creates a powerful synergy: Introverts generate ideas and strategize quietly. Extroverts implement plans swiftly and harness their energy. Embracing Diversity in Creativity Creative individuals vary in personality, with in

Brain Cognitive Biases Series: The Decoy Effect

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Imagine yourself at a car dealership, torn between two cars. One is $30,000 without leather seats, and the other is $40,000 with leather seats. Feeling undecided? Then, the salesman introduces a third option: a $50,000 car, also without leather seats. Suddenly, the $40,000 car seems more appealing, despite its initial price. Understanding the Decoy Effect The presentation of a less desirable third option can influence decision-making, making the other options appear more attractive. This cognitive bias is known as the Decoy Effect. How It Works By introducing a clearly inferior option, the salesman aims to steer you towards the $40,000 car, which may now seem like the best choice compared to the $50,000 "decoy." Implications This tactic can lead consumers to choose slightly more expensive options, perceiving them as better deals. It's a cognitive bias that impacts decision-making. Conclusion The Decoy Effect is a powerful psychological phenomenon that in

6 Surprising Effects of Narcissistic Parenting

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There are many parenting styles, but today we're focusing on narcissistic parenting. What is it? Narcissistic Parenting Narcissistic parents tend to be possessive and may feel threatened by their child's independence, leading to self-blame and emotional insecurity. 1. Self-blame Children often blame themselves due to parental focus on mistakes, leading to emotional turmoil and self-doubt. 2. Insecure Attachment Children may develop insecure attachment styles, leading to avoidant or anxious behavior in relationships. 3. Extreme Emotional Independence Some children may become emotionally independent, struggling to form close connections. 4. Extreme Nurturing Others may become overly nurturing, seeking to fulfill unmet emotional needs. 5. PTSD Children may experience PTSD symptoms, such as intrusive thoughts and emotional numbness. 6. Becoming Narcissistic Some children may adopt narcissistic traits themselves, striving for perfection to avoid feeling unimpor

Does Closeness Kill Relationships?

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What do many broken Hollywood couples such as Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have in common? The couple was incredibly similar and very close. They were like twins! Dressing and speaking similarly but no longer being identified as their own individual persons but rather as a pair. They were able to flawlessly describe their partner who are unable to go a whole day without seeing them and shared everything with each other. Is this unhealthy? Does this lead to breakups? It has been noted by researchers that those couples who are very similar lack a sense of individualism. Because they're physically and emotionally the same person they do not tend to have long-lasting relationships with each other compared to those who have some distance between them. However, it is important to add that researchers also note that closeness is most likely not the root of the problem but rather the lack of distance. Inclusion of Other Self is a test given by psychologists that measures how close th

7 Signs of Emotional Intelligence: Which of these do you possess?

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Do you have these 7 signs of emotional intelligence? We all know what an IQ is and that most of us fall within the average range. We use names like smart, intelligent, dumb, idiot, and stupid when talking about a person's level of intelligence. What most people don't know is that we also possess an EQ, or EI, which is our level of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is typically measured in numbers because it is that thing inside us that recognizes emotions in ourselves and others, then guides us to respond. Understanding emotions may seem unimportant or trivial but in fact it is the opposite. It is widely believed by experts that a person's level of emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of success and overall happiness than their IQ. What is emotional intelligence? Having a high level of emotional intelligence means that you can accurately express your feelings and take responsibility for them. People often say things like "You hurt

Psychology of Music

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Music is a large part of many people's lives, especially to those that play musical instruments. Music can change people's mood at any time, whether they're working out, traveling, working, or just relaxing. Like other expressive arts, music has the power to evoke feelings, whether they're feelings of happiness, sadness, tranquility, or nostalgia. Often times, people associate music with particular emotions and experiences. In a study at Bristol University, Dr. Harry Whitsel and his peers found that simply playing 90-second snippets of carefully selected songs each evoked their own specific feelings or emotions, with a dramatic effect on the participants. For example, their heart rates appeared to slow down when they were listening to the music, perhaps due to concentration, and sped up rapidly when the music finished. Although it is hard to find music that means the same thing to a lot of people, it is obvious that certain sounds, especially in movies, ca

5 Ways to Care for Your Introverted Friends

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According to brain scans studies, introverts process information differently than other people and are more likely to be misunderstood as individuals who are too serious or too aloof, or too arrogant and rude. Therefore, it is crucial not only to understand introverts, but also to care for them. And here are five ways to do so. 1. Make them feel accepted for who they are. Introverts accept themselves as who they are. But at times, they wish they were more social like other people. Nevertheless, introversion is not something that people need to outgrow, but something they have to learn to accept and grow into. So extroverts should help introverts cherish who they are by accepting their unique traits. 2. Acknowledge them for their goodness. As introverts are generally caring and helping people, they expect to be appreciated for their kindness, thoughtfulness, and willingness to help others whether it's a social cause for someone unknown or for family and friends. Th

Why Do We Squeeze Cute Things? Do you Relate?

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What's the first thing you want to do when you look at this picture? How about this one or the rest of these? If you're sitting there going "ah" and want to squeeze the crap out of these fellas, we're right there with you. Cute Aggression Cute things like animals and babies help us channel our aggressive side. This doesn't mean you actually want to hurt the cute, innocent-looking creatures. Who would ever do such a thing? It's quite the opposite, actually. Researchers from Yale University call this phenomenon cute aggression. In their experiment, volunteers were shown slideshows of cute animals and neutral photos. They were given bubble wrap when viewing the pictures, and results show that more bubbles were popped by volunteers when viewing the cute photos. Cute Photos The research shows that we tend to have pent-up aggression over cute things because they trigger our desire to protect them. But when we're only seeing photos of the cute creatur

4 Ways to improve Exam Memory

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As students get closer to final season, it becomes important that all the information learned in hours spent doing homework and 8:30 a.m. lectures is retrievable on exam day. However, the problem is most of us have difficulty storing and retrieving the information from our long-term memory. So, how do you solve this problem? How can you improve your studying habits? Well, here are some tips to strengthen your memory and improve your studying habits: Tip 1: Summarize After reading a paragraph, summarize the information you received from it and ask a question. Reading about a topic you may know nothing about is difficult, so in order to retain the information, after reading a paragraph, repeat it out loud or write a summary of the information received. This will let you know if what you read was processed in your head. To take it a step further, a useful tip would be to ask a question about the paragraph. Asking a question will help you really dig into the topic and become i

8 Signs You’re a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)

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Susan Cain's book, "Quiet", was a catalyst for the introvert movement that helps bring awareness towards personality types with a greater need for solitude and less stimulating environments. With 1/3 to half the world's population made up of introverts, it's great that we finally began to acknowledge and talk about the unique set of traits and tendencies. Along with introversion, sensitivity has also made the headlines and been widely discussed. The personality trait was first researched by Dr. Elaine and Aaron in 1991. All of her important findings have been published in various articles and in her book, "The Highly Sensitive Person". Although it's a trait being acknowledged more, Aaron states that sensitive people are still often considered the minority of the population. She emphasizes that culture plays a large role towards how sensitivity is valued. Aaron writes: "In culture where it is not valued, HSPs tend to have low self-esteem. They&

5 Differences Between Cat and Dog People

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Do you ever look down at your sleeping pet and think how similar you guys are? Your dog might be as hyped as you are about an upcoming event and your cat may be rolling your eyes with you at something annoying. There is a reason why the terms ''cat people'' and ''dog people'' exist. Your preference for felines or canines reflects inherent personality traits corresponding to your favorite animal. A study in the University of Texas assessed a large group of people on 5 main personality traits commonly known as the ''Big Five'' - the parameters often used by psychologists. 1. Conscientiousness Your level of conscientiousness indicates your inclination towards diligence and organization when carrying out a task. Dog people were rated to be 11% more conscientious than cat people because their sense of duty and obedience makes them more likely to follow rules. This is not to say that cat people aren't willful; but they tend to question

Creativity and Depression: What Causes the Link?

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The World Health Organization estimates that over 121 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression. It is one of the world's most common mental disorders, with 30 percent of sufferers attempting suicide. I'm not lying when I say depression kills. Creative types have been proven to be the group most affected by this disorder, with people such as Ernest Hemingway, Virginia Woolf, and Michelangelo all being affected. Is this due to nothing but their unique thought processes, or could it be something else? It has been proven that as a species, human beings are drawn to those with whom we share ideas and have similar thoughts. Studies have shown this time and time again, such as in Newcomb's 1956 experiment where he found that men liked their housemates more if they had similar attitudes about sex, family, and politics. This is because people enjoy feeling validated, are impressed when others have the same taste as them, and find it easier to talk to those w

10 Signs of High Functioning Anxiety

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High functioning anxiety isn't actually considered a mental health diagnosis. Instead, it's a term many people can relate to when they have anxiety and can still carry out everyday tasks at a functional level. It could be the valedictorian in your class, your co-worker who has an exceptionally polished resume, or it might even be you. It's no surprise that this has become widely relevant when roughly 40 million adults struggle with anxiety. When someone tells you you're fine or always has a smile plastered on their face, they might actually need your help. 10 Signs of High Functioning Anxiety: 1. You're an overachiever. Do you consider yourself a perfectionist, Type A, and a planner? People with anxiety always feel like they need control in order to feel at ease. Whether it means making big to-do lists, showing up at a meeting early, or staying up late studying for a test they already memorized by heart, the individual stays busy to feel productive. One researc

5 Networking Tips for Introverts

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Understanding Networking Networking: that elusive thing that adults do. That word that darn extroverts keep throwing around. For us introverts, it's a cursed word that only brings destruction and terror. To never be spoken or mentioned in our introvert circle. Unfortunately, our circle is not the only circle in the world. And in this world, you're going to need to network! What is Networking? Networking is the process of making personal connections with people. It can be done to increase your network of friends or your career network. The more people you know, the more resources you have. Unfortunately, networking requires talking to people. That's why it can be so scary for introverts. Tips for Introverts to Network Talk About Common Ground Talk about what brought you together. Maybe it's a party, talk to your new connection about the why or how you got there. If you find out you have some mutu

How To Deal With a Toxic Family

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Do you have a toxic family and you're not sure what to do? Having a toxic family member can be detrimental because family is supposed to be defined by love and support. This is a betrayal of the highest order, and something, if left untreated, that will haunt someone for the rest of their lives. It's difficult to even admit a family member is toxic, and the treatment isn't easy. Although we do recommend reaching out to a professional for help, here are a few tips to ponder while you decide what to do. Make Clear Boundaries Number one: make clear boundaries for yourself. We know that it sounds simple to say, "Hey I like this, and I don't like that," and you're right, it does seem straightforward, so why does this toxic person continue to be able to cross those boundaries? It might be that, due to fear, being worn down, or not realizing that it's happening, you haven't made the boundaries clear. The problem with toxic family members is not onl

5 Simple Psychology Tricks To Influence Others

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There are quite a few psychology tricks out there. Some are often used by retail workers, and some are even employed by psychologists as effective approaches to treatment. But what are these influential tricks? Let's explore five simple psychology techniques that can help you influence others. 1. Ask for a Large Request, Then a Smaller One Imagine you really want a pet goldfish. Simple enough, right? But your parents won't allow it. So, here's the big idea: Ask for a pet dog first. Wait, what? I know you don't actually want a dog; you want that goldfish named Goldie. But if you start with a larger request (like a dog), you might just get a "yes" when you follow up with the smaller one (the goldfish). This psychological technique is called the Door in the Face Technique and can be applied in various situations. Someone asks for a lot, and then, when you decline, they significantly lower their request. Suddenly, that goldfish doesn't seem so bad compared

10 Psychological Experiments You Would Never Believe Happened

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We humans, as social creatures, are constantly trying to understand each other. This makes sense, as being able to get along with one another is beneficial, helping to make life easier and more sustainable. One of the ways we've tried to acquire this understanding is through research. The Difficulty of Studying Human Behavior Due to our complexities, many different experiments have been held to see if our assumptions about human behavior are correct. While most of these experiments were conducted ethically and within accepted guidelines, there have also been instances where the pursuit of scientific knowledge has resulted in ethically questionable and controversial experiments. Even so, these missteps have still opened doors to new knowledge. Here are some of the most notorious psychological experiments that have been conducted: 1. The Beneficial Brainwashing Experiment The title "beneficial brainwashing" seems like an oxymoron, but this experiment cond

Depersonalization vs Derealization

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Have you ever felt detached from the world or felt like you don't belong in your own body when you look down at your hands? Depersonalization and derealization is a psychological disorder in which this experience is intense and prolonged. About 50% of the general population have come across at least one of these experiences in their lifetime, but only roughly 2% are actually diagnosed with the disorder. It occurs equally in men and women and can start as early as one's early or middle years. The two terms depersonalization and derealization are often mixed up and misunderstood even though they're often grouped together. So what's the difference? Depersonalization Depersonalization is when you feel cut off from yourself, like a robot or like you're not in control of your own movements. People with depersonalization disorder don't feel like themselves and struggle with feeling in tune with their emotions. These patients may feel like they

9 Signs You Have Unhealed Trauma

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We're back to help you understand everyday psychology better. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress from a situation that exceeds one's ability to cope. It can stem from events like the death of a loved one, the end of a meaningful relationship, or the rejection of a loved one. Do you pretend that everything's good when it really isn't? When you lack a positive and healthy way of dealing with your trauma, you end up repressing your negative emotions. Recognizing unresolved trauma can be challenging, especially within ourselves. So, here are nine signs: 1. You Resist Positive Change When something good comes into your life, is your first instinct to be suspicious of it? Do you feel shame or guilt when you allow yourself to grow attached to someone or celebrate your own success? If so, you might be carrying unresolved trauma within you. You struggle to accept positive change because deep down, you feel undeserving of happiness.