Welcome to the Weekly Medius PsychNews. Every week, we select five thought-provoking Psychology articles from hundreds published in journals and other media. Psychology Drives Everything.

How the Unconscious Works:
Current theory and research in psychology accepts the existence and importance of the unconscious. In fact, it is impossible to conceptualize the mind/brain without positing it. Further, there is agreement about some central aspects of unconscious functioning. This post begins by laying out those basic tenets. Future posts will apply them to current issues in psychotherapy, business, politics and everyday life. The first and foremost point I want to make is that unconscious processes underlie most of our functioning. Moreover, the way the brain/mind is structured, this has to be so. Full article.


This is the secret to doing more productive group work: 
Many of the habits you develop that influence your work productivity are shaped by your education. Unfortunately, for most of us, education was an individual sport, while our professional life is a team sport. As a result, we have to learn to work with others more effectively. (Just ask anyone who’s gotten stuck doing the lion’s share of a group presentation.) One of the biggest drawbacks in group work is that often members act as if everyone working on a project is the same. This is particularly true in workplaces that see themselves as friendly, because people don’t want to order their colleagues around or give people jobs that may feel like they have lower status.  Full article.

 

 

5 Things Your Judgments of Others Could Reveal About You:
“We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are,” Anaïs Nin famously wrote.  Psychological research aligns well with this idea, especially when it comes to social judgment. The way we evaluate others is not just a function of their objective characteristics; it’s also a reflection of our vantage point, which is shaped by our life experiences, goals, and values, as well as our hidden desires and fears. The things we criticize and praise most in others tells us not only about them, but about us, sometimes in surprising ways. Here are five research findings that shed light on the connection between social judgment and the self.  Full article.

In Search of a Suitable Workplace Culture:
Workplace culture can define your workplace experience. Think about a time when your workplace culture was a poor fit. How did that poor workplace culture fit impact your psychological well-being? How did it impact your productivity? How did that impact long-term outcomes, such as your career progression? Most likely personal and professional outcomes suffered if your workplace culture did not suit your personality, workplace values, social identities, and workplace interests.  This is because most individuals as social beings have fundamental needs from a workplace. These needs may vary, but they commonly include a sense of belonging, inclusion, engagement, and development. One of the keys to workplace and career satisfaction is finding a suitable workplace culture that meets your specific needs. Not all workplaces are created equal, and the search for the right workplace culture should be an informed process that you conduct during the initial phases of your job search process. Based on career development empirical research and practice, I will review three steps you can take to find the right workplace culture. Full article.