What Is Confirmation Bias?

For example, imagine that Mary believes left-handed people are more creative than right-handed people. Confirmation biases affect not only how we gather information but also how we interpret and recall it. They will also remember details in a way that reinforces theseattitudes. Verywell / Daniel Fishel In the 1960s,cognitive psychologistPeter Wason conducted several experiments known as Wason’s rule discovery task. He demonstrated that people tend to seek information that confirms their existing beliefs....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 240 words · Kathleen Harding

What Is Conformity?

Conformity is the act of changing your behaviors to fit in or go along with the people around you. Essentially, conformity involves giving in to group pressure. What Causes Conformity? Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin In some instances, we conform to the group’s expectations to avoid looking foolish. In 1955, Deutsch and Gerard identified two key reasons why people conform: informational influence and normative influence. Famous Experiments on Conformity Conformity is something that happens regularly in our social worlds....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 420 words · Karen Guerrero

What Is Conscientiousness?

When someone is conscientious, they are able to exerciseself-disciplineand self-control to pursue and ultimately achieve their goals. People who are high in conscientiousness tend to be very responsible, goal-directed, organized, and responsible. They make decisions carefully, are high-achieving, and stick to their commitments. Cavan Images / Getty Images Conscientiousness is a continuum; you might be high, low, or somewhere in the middle. If you want to become more conscientious,setting goalsand getting organized can help....

April 26, 2025 · 5 min · 924 words · Stephanie Randall

What Is Consent?

Strelciuc Dumitru / Getty Images Generally speaking, the term consent means to agree to something. Types of Consent Consent can be verbal or non-verbal. Non-Verbal Consent Consent can also be non-verbal. Strelciuc Dumitru / Getty Images Consent is an important concept that is gaining awareness. Report theassaultto the authorities and seek help from healthcare providers or a therapist as needed. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Flecha R, Tomas G, Vidu A....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 103 words · Kayla Hoffman

What Is Considered Cheating, Exactly?

The night ends in painful disconnection. Most couples dont talk openly about fidelity or faithfulness because its uncomfortable. It can be awkward and scary! Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images We dont want to bring up negative, loaded topics because there can be a lot to unpack. But when we avoid these conversations, misunderstandings happen. Thats where things can quickly go south. Ultimately, infidelity exists on a spectrum. To know where we stand, we have to openly share our needs so we dont cross any lines....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 402 words · Jeffrey Hernandez

What Is Crippling Depression?

Carolina Conte / EyeEm / Getty Images Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Carolina Conte / EyeEm / Getty Images For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Unfortunately, knowing you arent alone doesnt necessarily make dealing with the debilitating impacts of this condition any easier....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 303 words · Mike Roth

What Is Critical Incident Stress Debriefing?

This can help provide space to process after a stressful or traumatic event occurred. Individuals who were exposed to the event can talk about their experiences and feelings in a safe environment. CISD groups leave participants feeling safe, validated, and hopeful for the future. FatCamera / Getty Images Its purpose is to provide support and resources to people who experienced a traumatic event as soon as possible. If needed, they can sleep or rest....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 187 words · Kaitlin Walters

What Is Critical Incident Stress Management?

What Are Critical Incidents? Critical incidents are events that may quickly overwhelm a person or a group of people. The events are usually unexpected and may be traumatic. Xavierarnau / Getty Images But they also may work with schools, communities, or other industries affected by a critical incident event. What Is Critical Incident Stress? Most types of critical incident stress occur for an average of 2-4 weeks. Critical incident stress can include physical, mental, and emotional components....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 343 words · Andrea Freeman

What Is Cross-Cultural Psychology?

What Is Cross-Cultural Psychology? Cross-cultural psychology is abranch of psychologythat looks at how cultural factors influence human behavior. Some cultures, for example, might stressindividualismand the importance of personal autonomy. Linka A Odom / Getty Images Other cultures may place a higher value oncollectivismand cooperation among members of the group. Such differences can play an influential role in many aspects of life. It also discusses the impact it has had on the understanding of human psychology....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 350 words · Joshua Frederick

What Is Cultivation Theory in Media Psychology?

Gerbner proposed that media presents homogeneous messages about issues like crime and violence. With cultivation theory, Gerbner wanted to explore the long-term effects of mass media in general. Gerbner was not concerned with specific TV shows or individual viewers' interpretations of TV messages. Nico De Pasquale Photography / Getty Images He wanted to explore the broad patterns of TV messages that promote common, but incorrect,perceptionsof society. Content analyses of TV have shown that there are consistent differences between the real world and TV world....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 385 words · Joseph Wright

What Is Dance Therapy?

Getty Images What Is Dance/Movement Therapy? “The process may range from mostly verbal or speaking to mostly nonverbal or movement,” she says. It can be a way to help people feel more connected to others and to buildfeelings of empathy. Getty Images They also offer compassionate and supportive ways to feel a sense of control and autonomy within your body. It can be helpful for improving self-esteem and can be useful for people who struggle with body image issues....

April 26, 2025 · 1 min · 111 words · Joseph Hunter

What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?

Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images What Is Deep Brain Stimulation? Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment used for movement disorders and some treatment-resistantmental disorders. Electrodes are surgically implanted into parts of the brain where abnormal activity is occurring. Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images The electrodes emit impulses that manage irregular brain activity. The generator connects to the electrodes through a wire tracing under the skin from the chest to the brain....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 265 words · Andrew Barnes

What Is Deep Sleep?

Tara Moore / Getty Images What Is Deep Sleep? Deep sleep is the third stage of non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep. Deep sleep is also known as slow-wave sleep. Tara Moore / Getty Images This is the stage of sleep where your brain waves are at their slowest. Your heartbeat and breathing also slow down. This phenomenon is known as sleep inertia. Growth hormones that help with organ, muscle, and tissue repair are also released from your pituitary gland....

April 26, 2025 · 2 min · 320 words · Anthony Waters