Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is a challenging mental health condition characterized by a long-term pattern of disregard for, and violation of, the rights of others. Individuals with this personality disorder often exhibit behaviors that are considered deviant by societal standards, which can lead to legal issues and strained relationships. While introversion, asociality, and antisocial behavior…
Cluster B Personality Disorders – 4 Types
Cluster B personality disorders are a classification within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) characterized by dramatic, overly emotional, or unpredictable thinking or behavior. These disorders include: Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD): Individuals display a long-term pattern of manipulation, exploitation, or violation of others’ rights. Compelling evidence links ASPD with impulsivity and a…
Paranoid Personality Disorder – Causes and Signs
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is categorized as a Cluster A personality disorder, known for behavior that seems odd or eccentric. Individuals with PPD experience a high level of distrust and suspicion about others’ motives, believing that others might demean, deceive, or threaten them without sufficient basis. Symptoms of PPD may include being preoccupied with unjustified doubts about the trustworthiness of friends or associates, or being reluctant to confide…
Types of Cluster A Personality Disorders
Cluster A personality disorders consist of three main disorders: schizotypal, schizoid, and paranoid personality disorders. They are grouped together because they are all marked by distorted thinking or perceptions and significant social detachment. This cluster is one part of the three clusters (A, B, and C) categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental…
What is Cognitive Inertia – How the Status Quo Traps Us
Cognitive inertia is the psychological tendency to maintain current beliefs and mental models, even when faced with contrary information or changing environments. It’s an aspect of human behavior that can impact decision-making and actions, as individuals often resort to what’s familiar rather than what’s optimal. Cognitive inertia leads to resistance against adopting new information or revising…
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD) Symptoms and Causes
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (SPD), also known as schizotypal disorder, stands out within the schizophrenia spectrum disorders as characterized by peculiar patterns of thinking and behavior. Individuals diagnosed with SPD often exhibit odd or eccentric mannerisms that can significantly impact their daily functioning and interpersonal relationships. The disorder is specifically described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual…
The Mere-exposure Effect – Familarity Preference
The mere exposure effect represents a psychological phenomenon in which repeated exposure to a particular stimulus leads to an increased preference for it. This effect, rooted deeply in psychology and especially relevant to social psychology, was brought into prominence by Robert Zajonc in the 1960s. Zajonc’s research illuminated how familiarity with an object or concept cultivates a feeling of preference, effectively encapsulating…
What is Belief Perseverance Psychology: Stubborn Convictions
Belief perseverance (also called conceptual conservatism) is the tendency for people to hold on to their existing beliefs, even when those beliefs are discredited by new information or evidence. This phenomenon is particularly significant in the face of evidence that should logically challenge the belief, showcasing the strength and tenacity of pre-held notions. For example, a…
The Ben Franklin Effect: Harnessing Favors To Build Relationships
The Ben Franklin Effect is a psychological phenomenon which suggests that when an individual does a favor for someone else, it actually increases the chance they will like the person for whom they performed the favor. This surprising aspect of human psychology is intricately linked with the concept of cognitive dissonance, which occurs when a person’s beliefs are…