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In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week's term is apophenia. Apophenia is a type of cognitive bias involving the tendency to find patterns where they don't actually exist, i.e. in things that are unrelated or random. It was first described by neurologist Klaus Conrad in 1958… Continue reading What Is… Apophenia (Finding Patterns Where None Exist)
In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week's term is the frequency illusion, also known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. Do you ever find that once you start to notice something, all of a sudden, it's happening a lot? There's a name for that; it's a type of… Continue reading What Is… the Frequency Illusion (Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon)
In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week's term is selfishness. I think our society has a twisted idea of what selfishness is. This gives people the idea that they shouldn't prioritize essentials like self-care because it's selfish. In this post, I wanted to take a look… Continue reading What Is… Selfishness
In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychological terms. This week's term is psychopathy. Psychopathy is a cluster of personality characteristics. It is sometimes described as a personality disorder or a neuropsychiatric disorder, but it's not a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The diagnosis… Continue reading What Is… Psychopathy
In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week's term is reductionism. Reductionism is the idea that complex theories or phenomena can be reduced down to other theories or phenomena. Essentially, the whole shebang can be boiled down to one thing that explains it all. It's a philosophical… Continue reading What Is… Reductionism
The Better Boundaries Workbook by Sharon Martin uses a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion, to help readers establish boundaries to function better in relationships. The author is a psychotherapist, and if you're into mental health on Pinterest, you've probably come across some of her pins. The book begins with a look… Continue reading Book Review: The Better Boundaries Workbook
The ACT Workbook for Anger by Robyn D. Walser and Manuela O'Connell uses an acceptance and commitment therapy approach to support readers in better managing anger. Anger is framed as a mix of feelings, physiological sensations, thoughts, and actions, and the authors explain that experiencing it is normal; it's getting hooked on it that can… Continue reading Book Review: The ACT Workbook for Anger
In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week's term is cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance occurs when we have two beliefs that conflict, or our beliefs and actions don't match, making us feel uncomfortable. The concept was originally described back in the 1950s by psychologist Leon Festinger. The… Continue reading What Is… Cognitive Dissonance
In this series, I dig a little deeper into the meaning of psychology-related terms. This week's term is STAIR narrative therapy. I recently stumbled across STAIR narrative therapy for PTSD, so I thought I'd do a post about it. STAIR stands for Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation. STAIR narrative therapy, which was developed… Continue reading What Is… STAIR Narrative Therapy for PTSD
From Hardened to Healed by Debi Silber encourages readers to move beyond where they're stuck right now to a place of greater healing. I learned of this book from Joshua Shea, who you may know from his blog paddictrecovery.com; in the book, he shares his story of recovery from addiction and betrayal trauma. The author… Continue reading Book Review: From Hardened to Healed