Lack of communication is when people fail to interact and express themselves in ways that foster healthy connections and relationships. This can take a toll on trust and intimacy in close relationships. Poor or insufficient communication in relationships can create problems, including insecurity and conflict. Here’s what you should do if you struggle to get…
Affirmations are positive statements that resonate with you and help promote well-being. They can focus on a range of topics. For example, affirmations for anxiety can help you feel calmer, more relaxed, and better able to handle feelings of distress. How you speak to yourself, or your self-talk, can play an important role in how…
Everyone feels sensitive at certain times or about certain topics, but excessive or inappropriate displays of emotion are sometimes described as highly emotional or overly emotional. If it feels like you are always fighting to hold back your feelings, understanding what might be making you feel highly emotional is a good place to start. Characteristics…
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to perceive and manage one’s own emotions and understand those of others. Exploring some emotional intelligence quotes from experts, researchers, and others can provide insight into what this ability means and how it can affect one’s life. Research has shown that being able to identify and label your emotions…
A conditioned response is the result of classical conditioning. It happens after a neutral stimulus has been paired with an unconditioned stimulus. In other words, a conditioned response is a learned reaction to a specific stimulus. It’s a behavior that occurs automatically when the organism encounters or anticipates the stimulus, as a result of previous…
A conditioned stimulus is a stimulus that evokes a conditioned response. A previously neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus through the classical conditioning process. Eventually, this neutral stimulus starts to evoke the same response, at which point it becomes known as the conditioned stimulus. For example, imagine that you hear the sound of…
Prosocial behavior involves actions that are designed to help other people or to benefit society as a whole. Examples of prosocial behaviors include being kind, comforting, generous, or helpful. When people engage in prosocial behaviors, they often do so because they are concerned, compassionate, and empathetic. They want to ensure others have what they need,…
The 16 MBTI personality types are those identified by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This self-report personality questionnaire suggests that personality comprises four dimensions, corresponding to 16 distinct personality types. What Is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)? The MBTI stands for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The test was developed by writer Katharine Cook Briggs and her…
Understand how self-concept shapes your perception of yourself and influences your behavior and decisions.
In classical conditioning, the unconditioned response is the natural, automatic reaction that is triggered by the unconditioned stimulus. It occurs unconditionally, which means it happens without having to go through any prior learning. For example, if you hear a loud, sudden noise, you might automatically startle. That natural reaction is the unconditioned response. You don’t…
Functional fixedness is when people can only think of traditional ways of using objects. It is a type of cognitive bias that prevents people from thinking outside of the box and developing creative solutions. When you have a particular tool, you might look at it in terms of how it is traditionally used. A screwdriver,…
Disorganized attachment is an insecure attachment style characterized by avoidant and fearful behaviors. Also known as fearful-avoidant attachment, this style often stems from abuse, neglect, or trauma in childhood. Disorganized attachment in adults leads to a range of erratic behavior. People may seem disoriented, fearful, and ambivalent in their interactions with their partner. This can…
Kohlberg suggested that moral reasoning emerges in a serious of stages. Learn how the process works.
According to Piaget, the sensorimotor stage of development occurs during the first two years of a child’s life. During this period of development, children utilize their sensory abilities to learn more about themselves and the world around them. The sensorimotor stage is the first stage in Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. This stage lasts…
In Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality, he described three parts of personality: the id, ego, and superego. The ego is the part of personality that strikes a balance between the primitive urges of the id, the idealistic standards of the superego, and the demands of reality. Freud believed that the ego functions according to the…
In Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality, the id is the primitive part of human personality that strives to fulfill a person’s most basic, instinctive desires. This part of a personality is part of the unconscious mind. According to Freud, the id operates based on what is known as the pleasure principle. This means that the…
In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus automatically leads to a response. It triggers a response unconditionally without any prior learning. The unconditioned stimulus sets the foundation for forming conditioned responses through associative learning. An unexpected loud noise is one example. You react naturally and automatically when this unconditional stimulus occurs by flinching in surprise. That unlearned…
The Premack Principle is a psychological concept suggesting that high-probability behavior can help reinforce low-probability behavior. In simpler terms, it involves using an enjoyable activity that someone prefers to encourage them to engage in a less enjoyable activity. For example, a teacher might tell students that they have to finish their assignment first, and then…
The recency effect shows how our memory is influenced by the most recent information. Discover how this cognitive bias shapes our perceptions and decision-making.
The law of effect is an important psychological principle based on a pretty simple premise—behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated. At the same time, behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated. It was first proposed by psychologist Edward Thorndike and had a significant impact…
