peak-end rule

What is the Peak-End Rule?

The technical definition The peak-end rule suggests that we judge our experiences based on how they were at their peak (whether pleasant, unpleasant, frightening, etc.) and how they ended. The feeling of the peak and end dictates how we remember it. Huh, what does that mean? The peak-end rule unveils an interesting little corner of … Read more

elevation

What is Elevation?

Watch this video before you read about elevation: The technical definition Elevation is the positive feeling experienced after seeing an act of virtue or human moral beauty. Jonathan Haidt, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia, has dedicated his career to studying elevation. According to Haidt, the event that triggers the emotional … Read more

self-determination theory

What is Self-Determination Theory?

The technical definition Self-determination theory (SDT) is a framework conceptualizing the motivation which underlies the choices people make. The theory was developed by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan in the mid 1980s. Huh? What does that mean? Self-determination theory is all about human motivation. SDT indicates there are two basic types of motivation: … Read more

What is Active and Constructive Responding?

The technical definition Active and constructive responding (ACR) refers to one of four ways in which we respond to good news; it is part of a theoretical framework proposed by psychologist Shelly Gable. Active and constructive responding is the most effective way to respond, giving both the deliverer of good news and the listener a positive … Read more

goal-setting theory

What is Goal-Setting Theory?

The Technical Definition Goal-setting theory refers to the effects of setting goals on subsequent performance. Researcher Edwin Locke found that individuals who set specific, difficult goals performed better than those who set general, easy goals. Locke proposed five basic principles of goal-setting: clarity, challenge, commitment, feedback, and task complexity. Huh? What does that mean? One … Read more