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The Psychology of Dress

The doctor is in... your closet!

Consumer Behavior
Closet Philia

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on April 13, 2013

Like the extra piece of chocolate we really should not eat, our closet becomes our guilty pleasure that we can indulge in.

Like the extra piece of chocolate we really should not eat, our closet becomes our guilty pleasure that we can indulge in.

Career
Resolution Solution for Your Space

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on January 28, 2013

With our spaces we can plan and accomplish small easily attainable changes to help us feel better and keep our resolutions.

With our spaces we can plan and accomplish small easily attainable changes to help us feel better and keep our resolutions.

Cross-Cultural Psychology
What's Scarier Than Halloween?

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on October 31, 2012

Fears of death, hauntings, and evil spirits are explored on Halloween- but what possesses our everyday lives is the culture of cruelty.

Fears of death, hauntings, and evil spirits are explored on Halloween- but what possesses our everyday lives is the culture of cruelty.

Beauty
Gabby Douglas

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on August 13, 2012

Somehow amidst the excitement of her achievements is the rumble of conversation surrounding Gabby Douglas's hair.

Somehow amidst the excitement of her achievements is the rumble of conversation surrounding Gabby Douglas's hair.

Gender
Psychology, Fashion, and the Lab

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on June 22, 2012

We have long questioned the accuracy of first impressions, and these impressions begin with the external appearance, or as researchers found the shoe!

We have long questioned the accuracy of first impressions, and these impressions begin with the external appearance, or as researchers found the shoe!

Psychology
The Psychology of Vintage

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on March 27, 2012

In a world of high-volume, low-quality clothing items, the search for something better may lead us to vintage dresses.

In a world of high-volume, low-quality clothing items, the search for something better may lead us to vintage dresses.

Environment
The Psychology of Fashion

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on February 23, 2012

Underneath the seemingly surface exterior, Fashion Week is filled with deep psychological richness.

Underneath the seemingly surface exterior, Fashion Week is filled with deep psychological richness.

Identity
A Closet Makeover Case Study

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on January 30, 2012

It's a New Year! What are the internal issues lurking in your closet?

It's a New Year! What are the internal issues lurking in your closet?

Altruism
This is Your Brain on Christmas: The Psychology of Altruism

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on December 15, 2011

What prompts us to give to others? What happens to our brains when we give? And why do we continue to give to those in need?

What prompts us to give to others? What happens to our brains when we give? And why do we continue to give to those in need?

Fantasies
Visualize It

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on November 8, 2011

Whether using imagery, vision boards, small objects, or wardrobe changes, visualization is a powerful tool for goal achievement.

Whether using imagery, vision boards, small objects, or wardrobe changes, visualization is a powerful tool for goal achievement.

Mindfulness
Clothing Consciousness

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on October 3, 2011

Shopping for clothing can be an exercise in consciousness, and frankly should be! Here are some tips for raising your consciousness during clothing consumption.

Shopping for clothing can be an exercise in consciousness, and frankly should be! Here are some tips for raising your consciousness during clothing consumption.

Sex
The Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll of Back to School Shopping

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on September 1, 2011

In a world of designer fashion for infants, lingerie ads for children, and drug and alcohol promotion on clothing for teens finding appropriate pieces for your child may become much more than just back to school shopping.

In a world of designer fashion for infants, lingerie ads for children, and drug and alcohol promotion on clothing for teens finding appropriate pieces for your child may become much more than just back to school shopping.

Beauty
Whitewash

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on August 5, 2011

There is only so much you can learn from books and lectures. It is when you have a true experience that knowing occurs. Surrounded by a flurry of paper scraps, Elmer's glue, and scissors, I learned the ugly truth about beauty.

There is only so much you can learn from books and lectures. It is when you have a true experience that knowing occurs. Surrounded by a flurry of paper scraps, Elmer's glue, and scissors, I learned the ugly truth about beauty.

Mating
I Want It...Now!

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on July 7, 2011

Veruca Salt ain't got nothing on us. We are a society that revels in instant gratification. Our food is fast, our Internet is high speed, and our shipping is next day. If we don't have to wait for something why should we?

Veruca Salt ain't got nothing on us. We are a society that revels in instant gratification. Our food is fast, our Internet is high speed, and our shipping is next day. If we don't have to wait for something why should we?

Career
Saying Goodbye

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on June 15, 2011

I had less than a month to sift through my stuff, leaving the extraneous and taking the necessary. The history, nostalgia, and memories attached to my buried treasures were brought up like silt in churning water.

I had less than a month to sift through my stuff, leaving the extraneous and taking the necessary. The history, nostalgia, and memories attached to my buried treasures were brought up like silt in churning water.

Mania
Middleton Mania

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on April 29, 2011

Walk through any major department store or view the many shopping channels, and you will find Middleton’s influence on the fashion industry. So what are the psychological reasons that drive us to buy something that Kate wears?

Walk through any major department store or view the many shopping channels, and you will find Middleton’s influence on the fashion industry. So what are the psychological reasons that drive us to buy something that Kate wears?

Media
And God Created Women

Jennifer Baumgartner Psy.D. on March 15, 2011

When the average size of an American woman is 14 and the average size of the ”ideal” woman has been one seventh of this amount, imagine the millions of women who feel that the body they have is not the right one! As I encounter women young and old, personally or professionally, I have thankfully noticed a subtle shift.

When the average size of an American woman is 14 and the average size of the ”ideal” woman has been one seventh of this amount, imagine the millions of women who feel that the body they have is not the right one! As I encounter women young and old, personally or professionally, I have thankfully noticed a subtle shift.

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The Perfectionism Trap

When we fall prey to perfectionism, we think we’re honorably aspiring to be our very best, but often we’re really just setting ourselves up for failure, as perfection is impossible and its pursuit inevitably backfires.

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