What Drives Human Behavior? The 5 Motivational Factors

A curious woman wondering what drives human behavior as she wears headphones.

What drives human behavior? How can you use someone’s motivations to better understand them as a person? Patrick King contends that to determine why a person behaves in a certain way, you must understand two aspects of their psyche: their motivations and personality. In Read People Like a Book, he examines each motivational factor a person has and their personality. Continue reading for a deeper exploration of the psychology behind a person’s behavior.

The Origin of Toxic Masculinity Boils Down to These 3 Things

A man thinking about his childhood trauma.

What’s the origin of toxic masculinity? Why are so many men so psychologically unhealthy? The origin of toxic masculinity can be traced back to a loss of father figures, a lack of ritual initiation into manhood, and the effects of patriarchy. Patriarchy is harmful to men in that it forces repression of the feminine in that it equates unhealthy ideals with masculinity. Keep reading for more on ideals of masculinity and why men are struggling to find a healthy mindset.

Having a Purpose in Life: 3 Ways It Contributes to Happiness

A man on a sailboat looking at the sunset on the water.

Where are you headed in life? What are you striving toward? Do you believe that your life has value and meaning? In The How of Happiness, Sonja Lyubomirsky unpacks the factors that fuel happiness and provides practical strategies to nurture and sustain it. One way is to find and create purpose in your life. Keep reading to see how having a purpose in life can bring you lasting happiness.

Tal Ben-Shahar: Happiness’s True Meaning & the Archetypes

A smiling man with his hands reaching out.

What is true happiness? How do you find pleasure and meaning in your life? Many of us make the mistake of thinking that happiness is life’s end goal. According to Tal Ben-Shahar, happiness isn’t a final destination, but rather an ongoing journey to find a balance of pleasure and meaning. Continue reading to learn why it’s hard to achieve Ben-Shahar’s version of happiness.

Benefits of Intrinsic Motivation: Virtuous Cycles of Improvement

A man climbing a cliff of a mountain.

What are the benefits of intrinsic motivation? How do intrinsic rewards keep you motivated? The benefits of intrinsic motivation include being able to develop virtuous cycles of improvement and practice. This means that if you enjoy practicing, you’ll get better, which means you’ll continue to enjoy practicing and stick to it. Read on to learn how to develop better patterns of improvement.

A Guide to Dr. Amen’s Book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

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How does your brain health impact your overall health? What are the best ways to take care of your brain? In his book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, Daniel G. Amen asserts that, even if your brain’s health has been compromised, it has the potential for recovery and rejuvenation. Alongside insights gained from cutting-edge brain scans, he provides practical strategies for optimizing your brain’s health. Continue reading for an overview of Dr. Amen’s book Change Your Brain, Change Your Life.

How to Find What Makes You Happy: Your Personal Path to Joy

A silhouette of a person wearing a hoodie facing a crossroad sign in nature.

Do you know how to find what makes you happy? Are you looking for joy in all the wrong places? What makes someone else happy might not work for you. In The How of Happiness, Sonja Lyubomirsky discusses general strategies for finding joy in life, but she also emphasizes the importance of each person crafting a personal path. Continue reading to get Lyubomirsky’s recommendations for personalizing your pursuit of happiness.

Pushing Back Against Societal Pressures Around Cleanliness

A woman stuffing clothes in a closet that won't close.

Are you often stressed about housework? Do you allow your home to control you, and not the other way around? On The Mel Robbins Podcast, Robbins and her guest KC Davis discuss the societal pressures around cleanliness and outward appearances. They advocate for letting go of these expectations and letting your home serve you. Here’s an overview of Robbins and Davis’ advice.