People often believe that their personalities are set in stone and there's nothing they can do to change them. But, what if there is something you want to change?Do you want to be more outgoing or more of a people person? What about more organized or open to new ideas? In this episode I explain what personality is and how it is assessed. I also share my story as an introvert, as I have strived through the years to become more of an extrovert. Episode Overview:- What is personality?- Differences in personality even among siblings- Myers Briggs 16 Personality Types- Big 5 Personality Traits - OCEAN- Can you change your personality?- My journey as I changed from an introvert to an extrovert- Ideas to help you make the changeLinks:VIDEO: Personality PsychologyLearn more about PersonalityMyers Briggs Test and Personality TypesMyers Briggs Type Indicator TestBig 5 Personality Test - OCEANHudson and Fraley StudyHudson and Fraley Study ExplainedFollow me on Instagram and check out my blog!Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

Simplified Psychology

Can you change your personality?

Stress... the dreaded word. We hate thinking about it and definitely hate feeling it.Do you feel bogged down by responsibilities and feel like you cannot get a handle on your life? Do you ever feel like you can't handle your stress? But, what is stress?Listen to learn more about stress and how it impacts your body and mental health. You will learn 4 simple techniques that you can do today, to help MELT your stress away!Episode Overview:- Fight or flight response- Acute and chronic stress- Stress in the body- Negative impacts of stress- MELT : 4 techniques to help reduce your stressFollow me on Instagram and check out my blog!Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

MELT Your Stress

I love to laugh and I bet you do too! Listen to learn some interesting facts about laughter. Also, learn how laughing does not only feel great but can benefit you physically and psychologically as well! Episode Overview:- Humans are not the only ones that laugh- Laughter is social- Can you differentiate between a fake and a genuine laugh?- Contagious laughter story- Benefits of laughingFollow me on Instagram and check out my blog!Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

What's With Laughter?

Why do we dream? That is an age old question with no definitive answers. There are many theories that work to explain why we dream. From Freud's theory of deep meaning to our brains neurons just firing at random. In this podcast episode I give you a brief overview of these theories to help you better understand why we dream. Individuals have gained new insights and solved problems while they dream. Maybe there is more to our dreams and they can help us more than we ever imagined. Also, learn two tips on how you can control your dreams as you sleep at night.Listen to this week's podcast episode to learn more. Let me know what you think about your dreams! Episode Overview:- The importance of sleep- Why do we dream?- Freud - Wish fulfillment - underlying meaning to our dreams - Dream dictionaries- Activation Synthesis Theory- Information Processing Theory- Committee of sleep - Insight and discoveries through dreams- Relationships are impacted by dreams- Lucid dreamingInstagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

The Mysterious World of Dreams

Do you ever feel like you are constantly searching for happiness? Do you feel that it is often out of your reach? I have often felt that once I accomplished a task or meet a goal then everything in my life would fall into place. But it has never happened. The idea of living a happy live was actually detrimental for me. I was constantly chasing something I could never have, at least not for long. I have learned that life is full of ups and downs and that the way to find peace and contentment is through accepting all life has to offer. Enjoy the journey. Episode Overview:- Siddhartha by Herman Hesse inspired my search for happiness- My unrealistic expectations- The Station poem by Robert J. Hastings - Enjoy the journey of life- Peace and content can be found through acceptanceCome back next week for a new episode! Find the Station poem by Robert J. Hastings on the blog:simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comInstagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

The Search for Happiness

Could being vulnerable actually be a good thing? Vulnerability is tough and scary but it is also the birth place of creativity, trust, empathy, and inclusivity. Listen to learn more about what vulnerability is and how you can practice being vulnerable. It will be worth it!Episode Overview:- Brené Brown defines what is vulnerability?- "We can only love as much as we are willing to have our hearts broken." Brené Brown- The ways we run from vulnerability- Vulnerability is the birthplace of many amazing things- I share the time in which I was most vulnerable- What vulnerability is NOT- How to practice vulnerabilityBONUS: Vulnerability poem by David Whyte on the BLOGCome back next week for a new episode. Get in touch with me!Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com(The information shared in this post and podcast episode is mostly from the work of Brené Brown.) *This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

Courageously Vulnerable

Do you ever pressure yourself to be more feminine or masculine? This often comes from expectations placed on us by society. Listen to learn more about gender stereotypes and roles. Episode Overview:- Disney’s Cinderella – The quintessential man and woman- The shoulds and should nots of gender - What’s wrong with gender stereotypes?- Find out how I fall outside of a gender norm- Shift and plow cultivation – learn how farming impacts gender roles- Find what brings you joy and be the best youCome back next week for a new episode!Want to learn more? Check out my blog for the research articles I used for this episode.Blog: simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.com Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

Masculine and Feminine: Expectations for each gender

In this episode, you will learn:- The different types of social comparison- Social media and its link to negative emotions and depression- The negative effects of making comparisons and inaccurate assumptions - Behind the scenes - my assumptions about working at Walt Disney World- 5 tips to get out of a comparison trapResearch articles mentioned in this episode:Chou, H., & Edge, N. (2012). “They Are Happier and Having Better Lives than I Am”: The Impact of Using Facebook on Perceptions of Others' Lives. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15, 117-121. De Vries, & Kühne. (2015). Facebook and self-perception: Individual susceptibility to negative social comparison on Facebook. Personality and Individual Differences, 86, 217-221.Jang, Park, & Song. (2016). Social comparison on Facebook: Its antecedents and psychological outcomes. Computers in Human Behavior, 62, 147-154.Transcript on the blog!Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: https://simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

Body, Beauty, Brains: The Comparison Trap

Let's dive into the basics of Psychology.In this episode you will learn:-      How Psychology is defined-      The different subfields of Psychology-      Steps to the Scientific Method-      Benefits of studying PsychologyTranscript on the blog!Instagram: simplifiedpsychologypodcastBlog: https://simplifiedpsychologypodcast.blogspot.comEmail: simplifiedpsychologypodcast@gmail.com*This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes. The subject matter and views are based on the opinions of the podcast host. Each listener is encouraged to form their own opinions about each topic that is discussed.

How Psychology is like Thanksgiving

The Simplified Psychology Podcast is hosted by Katie Howell. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from BYU Idaho and a Master’s degree in General Psychology from CSU Stanislaus. She strives to make learning fun and interesting through the use of stories, poems, and analogies. As you learn you will better be able to understand the people around you and more about yourself. You will also learn practical steps you can take to improve your life. Grab your scuba mask and get ready to dive into the world of psychology!