It combines two sciences,psychologyand biology. This became known asfunctionalismwhich defines mental states by their function. Proponents of this psychological approach posit that our ancestors confronted problems and developed ways of solving them. Science Picture Co / Getty Images Those who had more problem-solving skills would be more likely to survive. In addition,aggressive behaviorsmay have been necessary when people had to compete for resources or mates. They root, suck, grasp, and cry....

We’ll never have all the answers, but we can always learn more about ourselves. Its the driving force for countless decisions and the topic of many late-night deep conversationsyou know the ones. Human existence is full of uncertaintyand uncertainty breeds anxiety. petekarici/iStock/Getty Images However, further research is needed to fully understand the evidence behind existential therapy. How Does Existential Therapy Work? Part of this process is delving into the pain these choices can bring....

With this roundup of different forms of exposure therapy, find out which treatment is right for you. Overview of Exposure Therapy for PTSD Exposure therapy is considered a behavioral treatment for PTSD. It is important to recognize that this learned avoidance serves a purpose. Credit: Getty Images/Peter Dazeley Avoidance is a safety-seeking or protective response. However, as this avoidance behavior becomes more extreme, a person’s quality of life may lessen....

Extinction is one explanation. In other words, the conditioned behavior eventually stops. For example, imagine that you taught your dog to shake hands. Shestock / Blend Images / Getty Images Over time, the trick became less interesting. You stop rewarding the behavior and eventually stop asking your dog to shake. Eventually, the response becomes extinct, and your dog no longer displays the behavior. When the bell was repeatedly presented without the presentation of food, the salivation response eventually became extinct....

Extroversion is characterized by sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness, and excitability. Extroverts feel energized when they spend time socializing with other people. It is important to remember that extroversion and introversion represent a continuum. Portra Images / Taxi / Getty Images These individuals are often described as being full of life, energy, and positivity. In group situations,extroverts(extraverts) are likely to talk often and assert themselves. Introverts, on the other hand, are people who are low in extroversion....

Lets say Jims Facebook newsfeed is full of stories advocating a certain political position. Why Does the False Consensus Effect Happen? One possible cause of the false consensus effect involves what is known as theavailability heuristic. beer5020 / Getty Images 1977;13(3):279-301. doi:10.1016/0022-1031(77)90049-X

Types of Family Therapy There are several types of family therapy. Find out which option is the best for you. What Family Therapy Can Help With Family therapy can help people with many different issues. SDI Productions / Getty Images This key in of therapy also focuses on how family members can address an individual family members difficulties. When individuals are affected by mental illness, family members may sometimes lack awareness of how to help....

Forgiveness can benefit our mental health and lower stress. What Is the True Meaning of Forgiveness? A common misunderstanding of forgiveness is that it is associated with reconciliation. Maskot / Getty Images For instance, you are estranged from your parent due to a history of child abuse andneglect. Forgiving them does not necessarily mean you should probably rebuild a relationship or even be in contact with them. It can be done by yourself....

Free association is pretty much just what it sounds like. Where Did the Concept of Free Association Come From? Thats basically free association, as conceptualized by Sigmund Freud. Zoran Zeremski / Getty Images How Do You Use Free Association in Therapy? So what exactly is free association? But while free association may seem pretty random in nature, it actually has a clear purpose. I practice EMDR therapy, which has some components of free association, Good explains....

Understanding the Pleasure Principle The pleasure principle suggests we are motivated to obtain pleasure and avoid pain. As you might imagine, some needs cannot be met when we feel them. The Id The pleasure principle is the force powering the part of personality known as the id. KidStock / Blend Images / Getty Images In Freud’s theory of personality, the id is the most basic and animalistic part of the personality....

OCD and GAD share similarities, including symptoms of anxiety, but is OCD an anxiety disorder? The answer is no, but since there are some similarities between the two conditions, confusion can happen. Its important to know the difference to get to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment. Peter Glass PR/First Light/Getty Images The fifth edition of the DSM, published in May 2013, separated these diagnoses into different chapters. This remains the same in the edition currently in use, the DSM-5-TR....

The idea is that general intelligence influences performance on all cognitive tasks. So, general intelligence can be defined as a construct that is made up of different cognitive abilities. These abilities allow people to acquire knowledge and solve problems. Verywell / Emily Roberts In 1904, Spearman suggested that this g factor was responsible for overall performance on mental ability tests. General intelligence can be compared to athleticism. Crystalized intelligence is intelligence that we acquire through our culture....

If you experiencegeneralized anxiety disorder(GAD), you have chronic and persistent anxiety. Your friends and loved ones may describe you as “nervous” or “worried.” You may feel anxious about daily situations, and your worry is likely out of proportion or irrational. Getty Images Anxiety can alter your everyday routines, and it can also have an impact on your memories. Click below to listen now. Working memory is critical for solving problems effectively and managing chunks of information in the present....