Psychology Archives

The Effects of Procrastination on Health: Mental and Physical

A sick person wearing a mask feeling the effects of procrastination on health

How does procrastination affect your mental and physical health? How does putting off a task result in stronger negative emotions? The desire to avoid negative emotions often drives procrastination. Timothy A. Pychyl warns that this rarely works out the way we expect it, because procrastination doesn’t make us happier, nor does it make us feel physically better. Take a look at the mental and physical effects of procrastination on health below.

What Is the Banality of Evil? Eichmann’s 3 Pathetic Motives

a silhouette of a Nazi officer watches as a train pulls away as the sun sets

What is the banality of evil? How can ordinary people commit extraordinary atrocities? What were Adolf Eichmann’s last words before he was hanged? In her book Eichmann in Jerusalem, Hannah Arendt explores the motivations behind Adolf Eichmann’s crimes in the Holocaust. She argues that his actions were driven by mundane factors rather than inherent wickedness. Discover how a desire for success, a sense of duty, and social conformity led an unremarkable man to participate in one of history’s greatest horrors.

3 Behavioral and Cognitive Patterns Associated With Autism

A bedroom full of action figures, signifying the cognitive patterns of autistic individuals

Why do many autistic people have passions for special interests? Why do they struggle to identify sarcasm? Steve Silberman, the author of NeuroTribes, explains that autistic people also behave and think differently from their allistic peers. They often have deep passions known as special interests, have a tendency for literal thinking, and view things from a unique perspective. Keep reading to learn about these behavioral and cognitive patterns, and how they can be both benefits and deficits.

How to Accept Being Wrong & Get Used to Being Uncertain

a young woman with red hair smiling and shrugging illustrates how to accept being wrong

Why is it so hard to admit when you’re wrong? What if there were a way to make this process easier and more beneficial? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the concept of error and how to accept being wrong. She offers insights on embracing uncertainty, dealing with change, and viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth. Read more to discover how to accept being wrong and turn the experience into a positive one.

3 Tools of Influence: What Makes Pre-Suasion Possible

a man giving a presentation in a conference room illustrates three tools of influence: language, images, and environments

Have you ever wondered how certain words or images can subtly influence your decisions? What if changing the environment could impact the choices you make? In Pre-Suasion, Robert Cialdini identifies the specific tools of influence that make “pre-suasion” possible: language, images, and environments. Simple shifts in words, visual cues, and settings can significantly alter behavior and decision-making processes. Stay with us as we uncover these intriguing insights and learn how to apply them in everyday life.

What Does the Left Brain Do? How It Creates the Self

an illustration of the left side of the brain in a person's head depicts what the left brain does

What does the left brain do? How does it shape our perception of reality and ourselves? In No Self, No Problem, Chris Niebauer explores the fascinating role of the left brain in creating our sense of self. He delves into how this hemisphere constructs narratives from our experiences, using language and pattern recognition to make sense of the world around us. Continue reading to discover what the left brain does and how it influences your daily life.

Did We Inherit Right and Wrong Thinking as Survival Tools?

a woman with two thought bubbles above, one with a green checkmark and one with a red X, illustrates right and wrong thinking

Why does being right feel so good? How might being wrong actually be a survival skill? In her book Being Wrong, Kathryn Schulz explores the fascinating world of right and wrong thinking. She explains how our beliefs are formed and why we cling to them, even when they’re incorrect. She provides insights into the evolutionary benefits of both being right and being wrong. Keep reading to discover how our brains process uncertainty and why admitting mistakes is so challenging.

Robert Cialdini: Unity Is a Powerful Instrument of Pre-suasion

a woman and man smiling and warmly shaking hands illustrates Robert Cialdini's unity principle

Have you ever wondered why some people are more influential than others? What if there were a secret to becoming more persuasive? According to Robert Cialdini, unity is a powerful tool for influence. He argues that people are more susceptible to persuasion from those they feel connected to. He shares valuable insights on unity through identity and activity. Keep reading for fascinating insights into human behavior and persuasion that you can apply in your own interactions from Cialdini’s book Pre-suasion.

What the Right Brain Does: How It Lives in the Present Moment

Do you understand what the right brain does? Have you ever wondered why some experiences feel more intuitive than others? In his book, No Self, No Problem, neuroscientist Chris Niebauer explores the fascinating world of brain hemispheres. He explains how the right brain perceives reality differently from the left, focusing on its ability to live in the present moment and process information holistically. Read on to discover what the right brain does and how it shapes our experiences.

Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming: Overview & Actionables

A cartoon image of a girl reading a book in bed, magical sparkles come from the book

How does lucid dreaming work? Can you learn and train while you sleep? What happens if you become lucid during a nightmare? In Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming, Stephen LaBerge and Howard Rheingold investigate the transformative power of lucid dreaming. They write that through lucid dreaming, the ordinary boundaries of reality dissolve. Here’s an overview of the book, with actionable steps you can take.