"Psychologists have spent decades studying how our core beliefs about ourselves shape our actions and how we feel about our lives. For example, if we believe our future is gloomy, we're more likely to be depressed.
Depression and feelings of depression are different from feeling sad. Depression is a mental illness that can affect mood, thoughts and behavior. What distinguishes a mental illness, such as depression, from normal feelings such as sadness, is that mental illnesses cause ongoing stress. It can also severely interfere with a person's ability to function. Most mental illnesses can be treated with medication and therapy.
If we have a "growth mindset," then we're more likely to feel happy and put effort into what we do. A growth mindset is a view that we can develop our minds and skills with effort and practice. This mindset encourages confidence in our ability to shape our lives. Until recently, psychologists have not focused on how the beliefs we have about the world we live in can also affect our lives.
Our beliefs about the world can affect our lives in powerful ways, according to new research done by Jeremy Clifton and his research team at the University of Pennsylvania. They call these beliefs "primal world beliefs," or "primals" for short. A report of their findings was recently published in the academic journal Psychological Assessment."
Please Note: The above information comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.