When trying to persuade you to purchase a particular brand or product, advertisers often attempt to create implicit superstitious associations. Research shows that while these associations may not always be blatantly obvious, they may still influence your buying habits. Believe it or not, a large (and interesting) range of psychological literature exists on the psychology […]
Color-blind racial attitudes are, in short, implicit and ambiguous forms of racial prejudice. And where, in most cases, explicit forms of institutional racism have become socially unacceptable since the Jim Crow era in the United States, negative racial attitudes have, by and large, gone under the radar: racism is still very much with us, but […]
Often, when thinking about what might cause changes in neurotransmitter levels of the brain, most might immediately think ‘Medication’. Naturally, since the chemical imbalance theory (theory is the correct word here, since it is something that has not yet been proven) of mental illness has become increasingly popular. Few may realize, however, that their experiences […]
The counselor-client relationship remains just that: a relationship. And many times the dynamics of that relationship remain ever changing and no two counselor-client relationships are exactly the same. Hopefully this article can help you better understand the unique dynamics of this partnership. Who is in control? Does that counselor maintain power over the client, of […]
Trusting others remains the glue that keeps societies together. The problem is, of course, when and how to do so. As it turns out, trusting others begins in the brain and ends with the person you may be trusting. In other words, trusting involves a social-cognitive interaction. Moreover, some individuals, who have a high “need […]
Prior to the psychopharmacology era (or, the time before antidepressants had become widely available), most individuals struggling with mental illnesses such as depression were, more or less, left on their own. However, throughout the so-called “Prozac Revolution,” in the 1970s and 1980s, antidepressants started to become more commonplace, as more individuals began using them. Nowadays, […]
A few years ago, a book emerged on bookshelves that had a curious and engaging thesis. It asked: What is the link between mental illness and great leadership? It remains an interesting question because, well, often times mental illness—particularly depression and anxiety—is perceived as something “bad.” More than this, if anyone in an important leadership […]
Getting the right amount of sleep is an essential part of a healthful life. Not getting the recommended amount of sleep at night, as it turns out, can inversely affect how a person functions throughout the day, one’s cognitive functions and decision making. In recent years, a blend of personalized technology (smart phones, tables, etc.) […]
People do so many annoying things. They chew their food too loud, leave the toilet seat-up, bite their nails, and sometimes don’t listen to you when you’re trying to tell them something important. It’s hard when a roommate, romantic partner or coworker is doing something that annoys you, and it can be even harder to […]
Leaving the familiar behind in order to pursue the unknown is terrifying. That may be one reason why people stay in situations they’re unhappy in. But you don’t have to let fear stop you from leaving behind jobs, romances, or even deeply rooted philosophies that no longer serve you. I know this because I’ve walked […]