Social

Have you ever heard someone tell you that you’ve got a bad attitude? Or a good attitude? Or just an attitude? Let’s talk about it.  What Is Attitude in Psychology? We often use the term “attitude” to describe someone as being sassy or as being a team player. It’s a vague term. Psychologists have a … Read more

Think of your favorite sports team or the college where you got your degree. Now think of the rival sports team or college. Ugh, right? It doesn’t take long for your thoughts to turn sour. Did you know that sour feeling is caused by “outgroup bias?” When you step back, you might remind yourself that … Read more

How does it feel to be a sports fan and see someone wearing a jersey supporting your team? It feels pretty nice, right? Or maybe you’re traveling abroad and see someone in a hat that says they’re from the States or even your hometown. Wow! It’s natural to feel more comfortable or trusting when you … Read more

Think about a time when you got angry. I don’t mean a time when you just were ticked off at a coworker or annoyed with someone in traffic. Think about a time when you were really angry. If you can’t think of one, think of someone who got really angry at you. Anger is a … Read more

Interested in learning about the Hawthorne Effect for your psychology class, or just because you’re curious? You’ve come to the right place! What Is The Hawthorne Effect?  The Hawthorne Effect, also known as the observer-expectancy effect, is the idea that people change or modify their behaviors when they are being observed. Researchers theorize that researchers … Read more

There are a lot of different reasons why people lash out or perform bizarre behaviors. Maybe behavior stems from a person’s personality. Or maybe outside influences had a more important role in how a person behaves. It’s normal, however, for your mind to automatically jump to the first conclusion. It’s a common error all of … Read more

The facial expressions of seven common emotions, also known as “microexpressions,” tell others how we are feeling inside. Use this as a rough guide for reading people’s true feelings. You can also use it as a way to assess what messages your facial expressions may be sending out and how you communicate with others. What … Read more

What do an amusement park, a scary movie, and a rock climbing wall have in common? Well, they all get your heart pumping. They all give you a rush of excitement at one point. And they make great first dates. Part of the reason that these three date ideas are so successful is that they … Read more

Did you know that there has been at least one death caused by “hazing” every year since 1972? For many fraternities and sororities, hazing is a ritual. It often involves copious amounts of drinking, rigorous physical challenges, and simply disgusting activities.  How does this happen so often? You can’t imagine any of the individuals involved … Read more

If you’ve seen any of my videos about affirmations and body language, you might have heard this piece of advice: Before you walk into a room, look in the mirror and smile. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fake smile. Smile for long enough and your mood will start to improve.  It sounds silly, but … Read more