What determines how a child develops? Overview Think of these influences as building blocks. Consider your ownoverall personality. Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images Are we the result of nature (our genetic background) or nurture (our environment)? Today, most researchers agree that child development involves a complex interaction of both nature and nurture. The sperm and ovum each contain chromosomes that act as a blueprint for human life. Except for the sperm and ova, all cells in the body contain 46 chromosomes....

It also involves taking responsibility rather than placing blame. There is an emphasis onperceptionin this particular theory of counseling. Gestalt therapy gives attention to how we place meaning and make sense of our world and our experiences. Getty Images Both Fritz and Laura were trained in psychoanalysis and gestalt psychology. In other words, the approach focused on the person and the uniqueness of their experience. Find out which option is the best for you....

Sometimes,geneticscan cause developmental delays. Other times, the environment can cause GDD, both before and after the child is born. Others continue to experience mild, moderate, or severe difficulties throughout their lifetime. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images They may also benefit fromsupport groupswhere they can connect with other families going through similar situations. Early intervention is important in helping children live their best lives. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5....

There is a definite link between gratitude and happiness. First, what is happiness? What many people may not realize is thathappiness isnt just an emotion or fleeting feeling. Hiraman / Getty Images Its about how good you feel and also how satisfied you are with your life. Yet, she also found happiness to include a deep sense of meaning, worth and purpose in life. Gratitude supports happiness in ways related to all of these....

This is often an example of a psychological phenomenon known as groupthink. What Exactly Is Groupthink? Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon in which people strive for consensus within a group. Yuri Arcurs / Getty Images The term was first used in 1972 bysocial psychologistIrving L. Janis. There are also some situations where it may be more likely to occur. Janis identified eight different “symptoms” that indicate groupthink. Other signs include rationalizing, self-censorship, mindguards, and direct pressure....

Let’s explore the unique benefits and challenges that come with growing up in a large family. At a Glance Life in a large family tends to be a formative experience. Children learn to share, collaborate, and compete, building essential life skills. Verywell Mind / Getty Images However, challenges like neglect and limited parental attention exist. Reduced parental guidance can teach children independence, patience, leadership, and collaboration. The problem is often that parents have finite resources....

Better gut health can promote better mental health. Have you ever had a gut feeling about something? Your gut houses trillions of bacteria and millions of nerve cells that manage your digestive processes. Daniel de la Hoz / Moment / Getty These bacteria and nerve cells might also affect how you feel. Which means when you feel happy, anxious, or depressed, your gut may be involved. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly are known physical ways tocare for your mental health....

Habituation is a decrease in response to astimulusafter repeated presentations. As you become accustomed to this sound, you pay less attention to it, and your response diminishes. This process is an example of habituation. Studio MPM / Getty Images Habituation Examples To understand how habituation works, lets look at a few examples. In fact, habituation is acommon form of learning. It allows people to tune out non-essential stimuli and focus on the things that really demand attention....

Introductory psychology is one of the most popular classes on college campuses throughout the world. What Makes Psych 101 Difficult for Some Students? A Few Pointers Try these strategies to maximize your educational investment with minimum stress. izusek / Getty Images Use Good Study Habits Spend some time developing solid studying andtest-taking strategies. This might involve evaluating your currentstudy techniques, learning about new homework approaches, and establishing a study schedule....

There has been a considerable amount of attention paid to the “made” aspect of the debate. According to many researchers, expertise is acquired through dedicated practice. But how exactly does someone go about becoming an expert? Hero Images/Getty Images Can anyone be an expert with the proper study and training? This article explores what expertise is and how people become experts. It also discusses how long it takes to become an expert....

People who are authentic, vulnerable, communicative, and in therapy? People who are closed off, afraid to get real, and derisive of mental health issues? This shift is helping us choose partners that were morecompatiblewith and navigate relationships with better communication. Alina Rudya/Bell Collective / Getty Images Thankfully, things have started to change. The stigma around therapy has reduced significantly, says Dr. Romanoff. And in turn, research shows us that the number of men going to therapy has been increasing steadily....

Valentines Day is putting these issues into even sharper focus for many people. They also had plenty of other strong feelings about how the pandemic has impacted their relationships. In fact, it hasimproved the relationshipsfor 27% of respondents. Some couples might be learning new things about each other as they work from home. They may see a professional side to their partner that they’ve never seen before. We also don’t have children, so we haven’t had that added stress....

Daniel Lai/Getty Images Research shows thatheavy alcohol usecan damage short- and long-term memory and affect brain structure. Retrospective memory is remembering all events and episodes that have happened in our lifetime. It is like a delivery truck on a route that gets sidetracked and never makes it to its destination. Daniel Lai/Getty Images The delivery never made it; a person simply cannot remember things. These effects are most noticeable when a person isintoxicated....