What is Emotional Intelligence?
Adults PsychologyMany of humanity's greatest problems stem not from a shortfall of technical or financial intelligence, but what we term emotional intelligence. It is through the acquisition of Emotional Intelligence that we stand to become better lovers, workers, friends and citizens. We are rarely systematically taught Emotional Intelligence and pay a heavy price for this gap in learning. The School of Life is dedicated to fostering Emotional Intelligence.
Does Your Dog Respond Better When You Use a Baby Voice?
Adults PsychologyMost people make their voices higher pitched when talking to their pets. But does this Pet-Directed Speech have any influence on animals?
How To Forgive
Adults Psychology"It can be so hard to forgive because - so often - we simply are in the right and the scale of the folly, thoughtlessness and meanness of others seems utterly beyond our own measure. But there are two inviolable ideas which should nevertheless, in the face of the grossest behaviour, be kept in mind to increase our chances of cutting others a little slack..."
How to practice effectively...for just about anything - Annie Bosler and Don Greene
Adults PsychologyMastering any physical skill takes practice. Practice is the repetition of an action with the goal of improvement, and it helps us perform with more ease, speed, and confidence. But what does practice actually do to make us better at things? Annie Bosler and Don Greene explain how practice affects the inner workings of our brains.
The power of creative constraints - Brandon Rodriguez
Adults PsychologyImagine you were asked to invent something new. It could be whatever you want, made from anything you choose, in any shape or size. That kind of creative freedom sounds so liberating, doesn't it? Or ... does it? if you're like most people you'd probably be paralyzed by this task. Why? Brandon Rodriguez explains how creative constraints actually help drive discovery and innovation.
Why We Are All Addicts
Adults PsychologyWe tend to imagine that we can only become addicted to a few sorts of things. But real addiction is about using something, anything, to keep our real emotions, fears and hopes at bay. There are many more addicts among us than we think.
Here's what it could mean when your dog chases its tail
Adults PsychologyA dog chasing its tail may be a sign of a direr issue. Like humans, dogs can suffer from a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, called canine compulsive disorder.
The left brain vs. right brain myth - Elizabeth Waters
Adults PsychologyThe human brain is visibly split into a left and right side. This structure has inspired one of the most pervasive ideas about the brain: that the left side controls logic and the right side controls creativity. And yet, this is a myth, unsupported by scientific evidence. So how did this idea come about, and what does it get wrong? Elizabeth Waters looks into this long held misconception.
How to Recount Your Dreams
Adults PsychologyWe often wake up from a dream with a powerful urge to tell those around us about what happened. But our listeners are also liable to feel restless and bored during our narration of the dream. The issue takes us to the heart of the challenges of communication.
Why We Only Learn When We Repeat
Adults PsychologyOur education system is based on the idea that we can learn things once, and that they'll then stay in our minds throughout our lives. That's far too optimistic. Our brains are like sieves. If anything is going to remain in them, we need regular reminders of what really matters. Fascinatingly, religions always understood that.
The Dangers of the Good Child
Adults PsychologyGood children don't cause problems; they always do what others expect. They seem to be on track. But there are real problems with people who never have a chance to be a little bad.
What to Do About Being Clumsy
Adults PsychologyBeing clumsy is one of the most humiliating of scenarios. We need to learn to make friends with our 'inner idiot'.
Why people think they see ghosts
Adults PsychologyEven though there is no scientific evidence that ghosts exist, you may not be crazy if you see one.
The Problem With Perfectionism
Adults PsychologyWe aim for perfection without a correct idea of what perfection might demand from us. To strengthen our resolve, we need to improve our picture of what sacrifices any achievement will demand.
How to Be Charming When Talking About Yourself
Adults PsychologyIt's sometimes assumed that talking too much about ourselves is rude; and asking questions of others is polite and charming. But the distinction is not quite so simple. There are far better and worse ways of speaking about ourselves. We end up charming when we dare to reveal our vulnerabilities to others.
Who am I? A philosophical inquiry - Amy Adkins
Adults PsychologyThroughout the history of mankind, the subject of identity has sent poets to the blank page, philosophers to the agora and seekers to the oracles. These murky waters of abstract thinking are tricky to navigate, so it's probably fitting that to demonstrate the complexity, the Greek historian Plutarch used the story of a ship. Amy Adkins illuminates Plutarch's Ship of Theseus.
How Your Brain Helps You Lie To Yourself
Adults PsychologyA new study aims to find out why and how we avoid information we don't want to hear-- and how we can stop doing it.
A psychologist debunks the claim that fidget spinners help kids focus
Adults PsychologyFidget spinners are everywhere these days. You can buy them on any street corner for a few dollars, and both kids and adults are obsessed with them. The companies that make these hot new gadgets claim they help relieve stress and anxiety and can help kids with ADHD focus. David Anderson, PhD, a clinical psychologist from the Child Mind Institute, shares his thoughts on spinners.
How Bilingual Brains Perceive Time Differently
Adults PsychologyA new study has found that what language you speak might alter your perception of time.
How do focus groups work? - Hector Lanz
Adults PsychologyFocus groups have been widely used by organizations and individuals to find out how their products and ideas will be received by an audience. From the usage of household products to a politician's popularity, almost everything can be explored with this technique. But how are focus groups put together? And how did they come about in the first place? Hector Lanz explains how focus groups work.
Using GPS to Get Around Is Making Us Dumber
Adults PsychologyGPS services have made getting from point A to point B a lot easier, but what effects does this have on our brains?