Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)
Bio
Writer, psychologist and university professor researching media psych, generational studies, human and animal rights, and industrial/organizational psychology
Stories (81/0)
The Power of Eating the Frog First
Do you ever feel like you’re procrastinating on the things that you need to be doing? Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the tasks on your list? If so, ‘eating your frog first’ ( as unappealing as that might sound) could be the solution to help you get stuff done.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Lifehack
Maslow’s Hierarchy and Learning
Motivation refers to “the process of instigating and sustaining goal-directed activities,” while motivated learning refers more specifically to the motivation “to acquire new knowledge, skills and strategies rather than merely to complete activities” (Schunk, 2004, p. 484). As such, these concepts represent explanatory models which seek to understand why individuals behave in certain ways under certain conditions. While some forms of learning occur in the absence of motivation, in general, motivation plays a key role in most learning situations, providing the impetus for persisting in activities that facilitate the process.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Education
Everybody Hurts – Existential Pain of the Human Condition
"Everybody Hurts" is a powerful ballad written by R.E.M. and released in 1992. The song speaks to the existential pain that is inherent in the human condition and highlights the shared struggle of all individuals. The lyrics are poignant and relatable, tapping into the universal experience of feeling overwhelmed and lost at times.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Beat
Learned Helplessness Simplified
Learned helplessness is a psychological phenomenon in which a person experiences a sense of powerlessness and a belief that they are unable to control events affecting their life. This can occur after repeated exposure to aversive events which they perceive as uncontrollable, leading them to feel hopeless and passive in future situations. It results in a reduced effort to escape or avoid negative situations, and decreased motivation and ability to take control of their environment.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Psyche
Depression in Older Adults
Depression is a common mental health condition that affects people of all ages. It is primarily characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Although research does not indicate an increased incidence of depression in older adults, many of the life challenges faced at this age can contribute to or exacerbate the subjective symptoms associated with this mood disorder and/or impede attempts at therapeutic intervention (Santrock, 2002; Callahan & Wolinsky, 1995).
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Psyche
Relationship Armageddon — Gottman’s Four Horsemen of a Relationship Apocalypse
John Gottman is a renowned clinical psychologist and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of relationship science. With a career spanning several decades, Gottman has conducted extensive research on the dynamics of relationships, particularly in the areas of marriage and family therapy. His work has been widely recognized and has had a significant impact on the field of psychology, as well as on the lives of individuals and couples seeking to improve their relationships.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Humans
The Psychology of Decluttering — To Keep or Not to Keep. That is the Question.
Clutter is fundamentally a first world problem. We Americans particularly love our stuff, and so we accumulate it, sometimes to pathological proportions. In a 2014 LA Times article Organizing and Productivity Specialist, Regina Lark noted, “The average U.S. household has 300,000 things, from paper clips to ironing boards. U.S. children make up 3.7% of children on the planet but have 47% of all toys and children’s books” (Macvean, 2014).
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Lifehack
Learned Helplessness and Learned Optimism
Learned helplessness is a phenomenon in which an individual experiences a sense of powerlessness in situations where they have previously been exposed to uncontrollable, negative events. Discovered quite serendipitously, it has since been credited by some scholars as the impetus that resulted in cognitive psychology’s displacement of behaviorism. This phenomenon has since been observed in a wide range of species, including humans, and has been the subject of extensive research in the fields of psychology and neuroscience.
By Donna L. Roberts, PhD (Psych Pstuff)about a year ago in Psyche
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