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Close Until proven otherwise, it’s safe to assume that—as the saying goes—nobody’s perfect. That means we have room for at least someimprovement in our lives. And no, we’re not talking about getting a higher-paying job or a new haircut: we’re referring toinner improvement. This involves working on managing some of our less-than-desirable habits and traits—things like being unable to trust other people, having difficulties with interpersonal communication, or lacking self-confidence.That’s where self-help books can come in handy....

Close Dementia typically affects older adults, but it isnota normal part of the aging process. While some amount of forgetfulness is normal with age, dementia is a severe disorder that can affect the person’s ability to function on a daily basis. According to the National Institute on Aging, about one-third of all people above the age of 85 have some form of dementia.Dementia can stem from various causes, the most common beingAlzheimer’s disease....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFriday Fix: Episode 242More About the Podcast Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 242 More About the Podcast Close The Verywell Mind Podcast’s“Friday Fix” is a short episode that features a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. You’ve probably heard thatsocial media is bad for your mental health. It’s no surprise that mindless scrolling wastes time, and viewing photoshopped images of people who look perfect and appear to have perfect lives can also affect how you feel....

Psychiatric care can be expensive—up to$200 per session or moreout-of-pocket—which is why, even when people need mental health medication, they sometimes do not seek treatment. In fact, in the U.S., 55% of people living with a mental illness do not receive treatment.The good news is that if you have health insurance, you might be able to use those benefits if you find an in-network provider. “Psychiatric services can get expensive when you are paying out-of-pocket, andfinding someone who is in network with your plan can offset costs significantly,” saysAmy Marschall, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist atResiliency Mental Health....

Let’s face it: therapy—even when it’s online—can be pricey. Session prices can range from $100 to $200 per session on average,which is why in ourCost of Therapy Survey, half of respondents worried about whether or not they could afford long-term therapy and more than a third of respondents told us they actually did have to discontinue treatment because of financial concerns. And even though insurance can help reduce therapy costs significantly, it’s not always easy to find a provider who’s in-network since only an estimated 40% of therapists and 56% of psychiatrists in the U....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to Look For Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What to Look For Close If you are interested in learning more about the science of the mind and behavior, there are plenty of great psychology books to help you get started. What are some of the best books for psychology students to read?While your psychology classes already have required reading lists, there are a number of great psychology books that can supplement your studies....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSocial CognitionAttitudesViolence and AggressionProsocial BehaviorPrejudice and DiscriminationSocial IdentityGroup BehaviorSocial InfluenceInterpersonal Relationships Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Social Cognition Attitudes Violence and Aggression Prosocial Behavior Prejudice and Discrimination Social Identity Group Behavior Social Influence Interpersonal Relationships Close Social psychologyis a branch of psychology that studies a wide range of subjects related to social behavior. This includes studying how people interact, factors that affect social perceptions, the formation of attitudes, and how groups influence individuals....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsADHD Brain DifferencesBrain StructureBrain FunctionBrain ChemistryHow Is ADHD Diagnosed? Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents ADHD Brain Differences Brain Structure Brain Function Brain Chemistry How Is ADHD Diagnosed? Close Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means there are differences in the ADHD brain that affect a child’s development.ADHDdoes not influence intelligence. It does, however, affect a person’s ability to regulate attention and emotions, and it results in hyperactivity and impulsivity as well as organization problems....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It WorksExampleHow It Affects YouHow to Keep Feelings Out of Decisions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents How It Works Example How It Affects You How to Keep Feelings Out of Decisions Close At a GlanceThe affect heuristic influences your decisions. It’s when your brain takes a “mental shortcut” and your feelings play an important role in the choices you make....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Conformity?MethodsResultsFactors That Influence ConformityCriticism Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What Is Conformity? Methods Results Factors That Influence Conformity Criticism Close At a GlanceThe Asch conformity experiments are among the most famous in psychology’s history and have inspired a wealth of additional research on conformity and group behavior. This research has provided important insight into how, why, and when people conform and the effects of social pressure on behavior....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHistoryUsesCharacteristicsServices OfferedBenefitsCriticism Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Definition History Uses Characteristics Services Offered Benefits Criticism Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a form of community-based mental health care. It is designed to help individuals experiencing serious mental illnesses that interfere with their ability to live in the community, attend appointments with professionals in clinics and hospitals, and manage mental health symptoms. ACT is designed to deliver mental health services that are person-centered and individualized to address each person’s needs....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCareer OptionsReasons to StudyGetting Started Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Definition Career Options Reasons to Study Getting Started Close Human factors psychology focuses on the interaction between people and machines. Its findings are used to create and improve products, equipment, and environments in a way that complements human capabilities while maximizing performance and safety. Here we take a closer look at this subfield of psychology to understand better what it is....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBackgroundSubject AreasTopicsHistorical FiguresCareers Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Background Subject Areas Topics Historical Figures Careers Close Industrial-organizational psychology is thebranch of psychologythat applies psychological theories and principles to organizations. Often referred to as I-O psychology, this combination of industrial psychology and organizational psychology focuses on understanding workplace productivity factors and issues related to the physical and mental well-being of employees. Industrial-organizational psychologists perform a wide variety of tasks, including studying worker attitudes and behavior, evaluating companies, and conducting leadership training....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsTypesWhy We Help OthersBystander EffectOther InfluencesHow to Take Action Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Benefits Types Why We Help Others Bystander Effect Other Influences How to Take Action Close Benefits of Prosocial Behavior In addition to the obvious good that prosocial actions do for their recipients, these behaviors can have a range of beneficial effects for the “helper”: While prosocial behavior is often presented as a single, uniform dimension, some research suggests that there are different types....

Close Skinner was inspired to create his operant conditioning chamber as an extension of the puzzle boxes thatEdward Thorndikefamously used in his research on thelaw of effect. Skinner himself did not refer to this device as a Skinner box, instead preferring the term “lever box.” How a Skinner Box Works The design of a Skinner box can vary depending upon the type of animal and theexperimental variables. It must include at least one lever, bar, or key that the animal can manipulate....