Exploring the Concept of Groups: Primary, Secondary, and Reference Groups

Daily writing prompt

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

By Kavita Dehalwar

In the intricate web of social interactions that defines human society, groups play a crucial role. From shaping our identities to influencing our behaviors and beliefs, groups hold immense significance in our lives. Sociologists categorize these groups into various types, each serving distinct functions and exerting different levels of influence. Among these classifications, primary, secondary, and reference groups stand out as fundamental categories in understanding the dynamics of human socialization and interaction.

Primary Groups

Primary groups are characterized by close-knit, intimate relationships and frequent interaction among their members. These groups typically involve strong emotional bonds, mutual support, and a sense of belonging. Family, close friends, and small social circles are typical examples of primary groups.

Within primary groups, individuals experience a deep level of emotional connection and intimacy. Members often share values, norms, and personal experiences, contributing to a strong sense of solidarity. Communication within primary groups tends to be informal and personal, with individuals feeling comfortable expressing their true selves without fear of judgment.

Primary groups play a fundamental role in socialization, providing emotional support, validation, and a sense of identity. They serve as a crucial source of companionship, guidance, and emotional security, shaping individuals’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors from an early age.

Secondary Groups

In contrast to primary groups, secondary groups are larger, more formal, and often formed for specific purposes or goals rather than for deep interpersonal relationships. Examples of secondary groups include workplaces, academic institutions, sports teams, and professional organizations.

Secondary groups are characterized by a more impersonal and instrumental approach to relationships. Interaction within these groups is often task-oriented, focusing on achieving common objectives rather than fostering emotional bonds. While members of secondary groups may share common interests or goals, the relationships tend to be less intimate and enduring compared to those in primary groups.

Despite their impersonal nature, secondary groups play a crucial role in society by facilitating cooperation, collaboration, and the achievement of collective goals. They provide opportunities for individuals to network, acquire new skills, and pursue shared interests beyond their immediate social circles.

Reference Groups

Reference groups serve as benchmarks for individuals to evaluate their own attitudes, behaviors, and achievements. These groups may not necessarily involve direct interaction or membership but exert influence through comparison and aspiration. Reference groups can be both real (e.g., a professional organization) or imaginary (e.g., celebrities or fictional characters).

Individuals often identify with and aspire to emulate the values, lifestyles, and behaviors of reference groups that they perceive as desirable or prestigious. The influence of reference groups can shape individuals’ self-concept, aspirations, and decision-making processes across various domains, including career choices, consumer behavior, and social activities.

Reference groups play a significant role in shaping social norms, trends, and cultural practices by setting standards of acceptance and approval. Advertisers and marketers frequently leverage the concept of reference groups in shaping consumer preferences and influencing purchasing decisions by associating products with aspirational lifestyles or social identities.

Comparison of Different Types of Groups

Here’s a comparative table outlining the key differences between primary, secondary, and reference groups:

Aspect	Primary Groups	Secondary Groups	Reference Groups
Size	Small	Larger	Varies (can be small or large)
Relationships	Intimate, close-knit	Less intimate, task-oriented	May not involve direct interaction
Interaction	Frequent, informal	Less frequent, more formal	May involve indirect influence
Purpose	Emotional support, identity	Goal-oriented, task completion	Comparison, aspiration
Membership	Based on personal connections	Based on shared interests or goals	Can be real or imaginary
Examples	Family, close friends	Workplace, sports teams	Professional organizations, celebrities

This table provides a clear comparison of the main characteristics of primary, secondary, and reference groups, highlighting their differences in size, relationships, interaction, purpose, membership, and examples.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of groups encompasses a diverse array of social structures that play distinct roles in shaping individuals’ lives and societies as a whole. Primary groups foster intimate relationships, emotional support, and identity formation, while secondary groups facilitate cooperation, collaboration, and goal achievement. Reference groups serve as benchmarks for comparison and aspiration, influencing individuals’ attitudes, behaviors, and aspirations. Understanding the dynamics of primary, secondary, and reference groups provides valuable insights into the complexities of human socialization, interaction, and cultural dynamics.

References

Anderson, C., & Kilduff, G. J. (2009). The pursuit of status in social groups. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 18(5), 295-298.

Barth, F. (2010). Introduction to ethnic groups and boundaries: The social organization of cultural difference. Selected studies in international migration and immigrant incorporation, 1, 407.

Conover, P. J. (1988). The role of social groups in political thinking. British Journal of Political Science, 18(1), 51-76.

Dehalwar, K. Empowering Women and Strengthening Communities: The Role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

Olsson, A., Ebert, J. P., Banaji, M. R., & Phelps, E. A. (2005). The role of social groups in the persistence of learned fear. Science, 309(5735), 785-787.

Sharma, S. N. (2016). Introduction to Sociology. New Perspectives in Sociology and Allied Fields, 1.

Tajfel, H. E. (1978). Differentiation between social groups: Studies in the social psychology of intergroup relations. Academic Press.

Embracing Individuality: Exploring Personal Traits That Make Us Unique

Daily writing prompt

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

View all responses

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

In a world that often seeks conformity, it’s the unique personal traits that truly distinguish one individual from another. Each person carries within them a blend of characteristics, quirks, and experiences that shape their identity and set them apart from the crowd. These traits not only define who we are but also influence how we navigate through life’s challenges and opportunities. Let’s delve into some of these personal traits that contribute to our individuality:

Personality: At the core of our uniqueness lies our personality – the amalgamation of traits, behaviors, and patterns of thinking that make us who we are. Whether we’re introverted or extroverted, analytical or creative, our personality traits dictate how we interact with others and perceive the world around us.
Passions and Interests: Our passions and interests are like fingerprints, distinguishing us from one another. Whether it’s a love for literature, a fascination with technology, or a dedication to a particular hobby, these interests shape our experiences, relationships, and life pursuits.
Values and Beliefs: Our values and beliefs serve as guiding principles that influence our decisions, actions, and interactions with others. Whether rooted in religion, culture, or personal experiences, these convictions shape our moral compass and contribute to our sense of identity.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Each of us possesses a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that influence how we approach challenges and opportunities. Whether it’s a talent for problem-solving, a knack for empathy, or areas where we struggle, embracing these traits allows us to harness our potential and grow as individuals.
Life Experiences: Our life experiences – from triumphs to tribulations – shape our perspectives, resilience, and outlook on life. Whether it’s traveling to new places, overcoming adversity, or forming meaningful relationships, these experiences enrich our lives and contribute to our personal growth.
Communication Style: How we communicate – whether through words, body language, or expressions – reflects our unique communication style. Whether we’re eloquent speakers, attentive listeners, or adept at nonverbal cues, our communication style influences how we connect with others and express ourselves.
Creativity and Imagination: Creativity is the spark that ignites innovation and originality, allowing us to think outside the box and approach problems from new perspectives. Whether expressed through art, music, writing, or problem-solving, our creativity sets us apart and infuses our lives with richness and depth.
Sense of Humor: A sense of humor is a unique trait that brings lightness and joy to our interactions and relationships. Whether we’re quick-witted, sarcastic, or have a penchant for puns, our sense of humor adds flavor to our personalities and helps us navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and laughter.
Empathy and Compassion: Empathy and compassion are qualities that connect us to others on a deeper level, fostering understanding, kindness, and empathy. Whether it’s offering a listening ear, extending a helping hand, or showing empathy towards others’ struggles, these traits enrich our relationships and make the world a better place.
Resilience and Adaptability: Resilience and adaptability are essential traits that enable us to weather life’s storms and thrive in the face of adversity. Whether it’s bouncing back from setbacks, embracing change, or navigating uncertain times, these traits showcase our strength and resilience in the face of challenges.

In essence, it’s the unique combination of these personal traits that makes each of us a one-of-a-kind individual. Embracing our individuality allows us to celebrate our differences, connect with others authentically, and contribute our unique perspectives and talents to the world around us. So let us cherish our personal traits, for they are the threads that weave the tapestry of our identity and make life a colorful and enriching journey.

References

Blickle, G. (1996). Personality traits, learning stratigies, and performance. European Journal of personality, 10(5), 337-352.

Borghans, L., Duckworth, A. L., Heckman, J. J., & Ter Weel, B. (2008). The economics and psychology of personality traits. Journal of human Resources, 43(4), 972-1059.

Goldberg, L. R. (1993). The structure of phenotypic personality traits. American psychologist, 48(1), 26.

Hampson, S. E. (2012). Personality processes: Mechanisms by which personality traits “get outside the skin”. Annual review of psychology, 63, 315-339.

Matthews, G., Deary, I. J., & Whiteman, M. C. (2003). Personality traits. Cambridge University Press.

Olver, J. M., & Mooradian, T. A. (2003). Personality traits and personal values: A conceptual and empirical integration. Personality and individual differences, 35(1), 109-125.

Sharma, S. N. (2016). Introduction to Sociology. New Perspectives in Sociology and Allied Fields, 1.

Top 10 Researchers of the Social Sciences

Daily writing prompt

Who is the most confident person you know?

View all responses

It’s important to note that determining the “top ten” researchers in social sciences can be subjective and may vary depending on the criteria used (e.g., citations, impact, contributions to the field). However, here’s a list of ten influential researchers in the field of social sciences as of my last update:

Daniel Kahneman: A Nobel laureate in Economics, Kahneman is renowned for his work in behavioral economics and cognitive psychology. His research on decision-making processes and heuristics has had a profound impact on understanding human behavior in various social contexts.
Amartya Sen: An Indian economist and philosopher, Sen has made significant contributions to welfare economics, social choice theory, and development economics. His work on poverty, inequality, and capability approach has influenced policy-making globally.
Noam Chomsky: A prominent linguist, philosopher, and social critic, Chomsky’s theories on language acquisition, cognitive science, and political analysis have shaped fields ranging from linguistics to political science. His critique of media and advocacy for human rights have had a lasting impact.
Michel Foucault: A French philosopher and social theorist, Foucault’s work on power, discourse, and the relationship between knowledge and power has been highly influential in sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies. His ideas continue to be debated and applied across various disciplines.
Judith Butler: An American philosopher and gender theorist, Butler is known for her work on gender performativity and queer theory. Her writings on identity, power, and subversion have reshaped feminist discourse and influenced fields such as cultural studies and sociology.
Robert Putnam: An American political scientist, Putnam’s research on social capital and its implications for democracy and civic engagement has been widely cited. His book “Bowling Alone” highlighted the decline of social connectedness in modern societies, sparking discussions on community and social cohesion.
Pierre Bourdieu: A French sociologist, Bourdieu’s theories on cultural capital, habitus, and social reproduction have had a profound impact on sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies. His empirical research on education, cultural practices, and social stratification remains influential.
Susan Fiske: An American social psychologist, Fiske has made significant contributions to understanding social cognition, stereotypes, and intergroup relations. Her work on the stereotype content model and the fundamental dimensions of social perception has advanced the field of social psychology.
Richard Thaler: An economist and behavioral scientist, Thaler is known for his contributions to behavioral economics and the theory of nudges. His research on bounded rationality and decision-making biases has influenced policy-making, particularly in the areas of finance and public policy.
Carol S. Dweck: An American psychologist, Dweck is renowned for her research on mindset theory and the concept of growth mindset. Her work on the psychology of motivation and achievement has had implications for education, organizational behavior, and personal development.

These researchers have made significant contributions to understanding human behavior, society, and culture, shaping the landscape of social sciences and influencing various fields within it.

INFIDELITY

INTRODUCTION

Infidelity can be better defined as any act that violates an open or explicit agreement

between two people, thereby damaging the relationship. It usually means having an

emotional or intimate relationship other than your partner.

Deception is one of the most devastating and destructive things that can happen in a

person’s life. It can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, increased risky

behaviours and cause real physical pain.

All infidelity violates the supposed or implied marital union, whether that be emotionally or

physically.

Relationships in which more than two people are involved are known as Polyamory

relationships. In non-monogamous behavioural relationships, partners can practice flipping

or polyamory (having multiple romantic relationships at the same time). These programs

promote honest communication and consent between all members and is not an example of

infidelity.

Now, how does Infidelity affect society?

Disloyalty to a person is like a storm. When it floods you, you and everyone else are thrown into many different places. When parents are in trouble so are their children. When a house burns down, children and adults are left homeless. The same can be said of infidelity. Confusion, fear, uncertainty, anger, tears, withdrawal, suspicion, frustration, fighting affects everyone in the family and especially children who are naturally more sensitive and rely on their parents for emotional and physical stability and security.

For young adults, infidelity can wreak havoc on trust, and infidelity can have devastating effects on a person’s mental and physical health. The condition is associated with depression, anxiety and unhealthy coping strategies such as poor diet and substance abuse. Some mental health professionals believe that there may be a similarity to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Types of Infidelity

• Physical Infidelity: Physical or sexual contact outside of relationships. There may or may not be an emotional attachment between partners.

• Emotional Infidelity: Emotional attachment or intimacy with another person. Emotional affairs can do as much damage, if not more, to a relationship as a physical affair.

• Cyber Infidelity:

social media has made it easier for people to engage in online

messages, chats, forums, or groups with sexual content. Cyber infidelity also

includes viewing erotic stimuli, such as porn.

• Object Infidelity:

Excessive love or interest outside of relationships can lead to

what is known as materialism. This is a situation where one partner is too focused on

something like their job or their phone, causing disruption in the relationship.

Data And Facts

Statistics report that anywhere from 40-60 percent of adults in committed relationships commit acts of infidelity and despite popular opinion, there is no significant difference in these percentages between men and women. Not only has dishonesty in the workplace become increasingly common but it has also become easier to deal with dishonesty on the Internet and social networking sites.

Importance of seeking a spiritual experience.

I went into the Osho centre expecting a breath of fresh air and a new perspective on life. I had reached my saturation point and was seeking something meaningful. I learned a meditation technique there which changed my life forever. So the process, is that you have to lay down and breathe slower than you usually do. After doing that, you focus on your left leg and try to breathe through it. You move your attention towards the right leg and do the same. That’ll make your legs very light and peaceful. After doing this, you move all your attention to your navel centre which is the centre of your body and breath through it. If you do this correctly then that’ll give you immense harmony and peace. It feels as if all the negative vibrations are leaving your body. After this, you move your focus to your heart and breathe through it. And then from the face. In the end, you try to feel your whole body and try to breathe through your whole body. After this, you reflect on your meditation and take 3 deep breaths.

I’ve been practising this meditation for the last 2 months and it has made me comfortable with myself. I am now more accepting than ever, more confident than ever. It gave me a roadmap to working towards myself. Meditation makes you interact with yourself. When you do that consistently, you become more sure of who you are and what you want in life. I feel if you have clarity in life, everything automatically falls into place. Meditation definitely helped me do that.

I also met people from different walks of life in the centre. Middle-aged people, old people and young people doing completely different things. But doing things at their own pace and getting better at dealing with it every day. I came across a man whose name is Aditya. He is a middle-aged man in his 30s. He is not married and lives alone. In India, more often than not you expect a man in his 30s to be married cause that’s what society dictates. But he was completely free and detached from the social bounds we have. He was an artist working as a freelancer for the last 10 years. His energy was just different from the normal crowd. It was so refreshing to meet someone like that.

I always wanted to inculcate meditation in my life but I never had the discipline to do it until I started going to this centre. Meditation is so helpful for any human being because it makes you more conscious about yourself and when you are self-aware, you tend to make better decisions that affect you and you are aware of your flaws and you respect them. You find a way to deal with your vulnerabilities. I’d encourage my fellow members to go and seek out a spiritual experience free from the bounds of bureaucracy. This experience was personally so therapeutic for me and encouraged me to think in different ways and change my brain pattern towards life. It made me conquer my fear. And the only way to conquer fear is to accept it. I’d leave it at that.

Psychedelics substances and their magic.

The world we live in today continues to grow more anxious and ignorant of their surroundings. Information is indeed a boon for humankind but there’s only so much data we can process in a day. The problem is that we have an abundance of data available which is harming us in ways we can’t imagine. To reduce our tension we seek help from pharmaceutical industries but are they worthy of our trust? No. Then, what is our substitute? Or rather I should say what’s better for us? A possible answer can be psychedelic substances. In the recent past, there have been a lot of studies and experiments in the psychedelic environment which have been successful. These substances can help human beings fight depression, anxiety issues and different brain disorders. And this is just one of the realms of possibilities that psychedelics are capable of.

I will be discussing two case studies carried out by robin Carhart-harris who is a neuroscientist at imperial college. The first study revolves around the story of a man called kirk rutter who was in grief after his mother’s demise followed by a break-up and a car accident. Such events can disturb any human being. Kirk was in depression. He couldn’t think of anything but negative thoughts. He felt guilty, disturbed and sad. He called his condition “an automatic circuit” as he lost control over his thoughts. He had been on a lot of different medications but nothing helped him. Finally, he decided to participate in a study conducted by Carhart-harris. Rutter was taken into a room where the researchers studied his brain activity through magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]. Then harris explained to him about the drugs which he’ll receive and told him he’ll neutralize the hallucinogen if he couldn’t handle it. Then the two practised a technique which’ll help him calm down if he becomes overwhelmed. Rutter burst into tears while doing that. The next day he came back and was handed two pills by a researcher containing a synthetic form of psilocybin [psychedelic substance]. He lay on a bed and put on his headphones and an eye mask. The process began, the first hallucinations that he saw were some Sanskrit words and then he went on to reflect on his grief. He took his eye mask off and noticed that harris had an eye in the centre of his face[of course he’s hallucinating] and harris joked “I might be looking very different to you” they both laughed. Rutter talked about his resentment and discussed his life with harris like he never did before. The next day he returned for the second dose which was stronger. The trip was followed by an integration session where he would discuss his experience.

Rutter went on record to say “ This process made me look at grief differently. It was a realization that it wasn’t helping. Letting go was not a betrayal”. Rutter was depressed for more than 6 years before this study. He was convinced that this experience changed his life for the better. He feared sometimes will the automatic circuit return? But he has some control over it now. 5 years later, his depression has not returned.

The second study carried out by harris included 12 people who were clinically depressed for more than 17.8 years on average. I am stressing over the term “clinically depressed”. They were also given the psychoactive substance available in magic mushrooms called psilocybin. No other medication could help this lad. One week after the oral dose all the patients experienced improvements in their symptoms. After 3 months, 5 of them were in complete remission. Harris said, “this is remarkable in the context of currently available treatments”. These researchers do not claim psilocybin to be the last resort to cure depression. They just claim that this can be done. After all, they were able to cure clinically depressed patients which no other legal medication could do.

The major argument that concerns psychedelics right now is the legalization of the substance. The science community believes that it should be legalized because it can help a lot of people fight their condition. If it becomes legal we can regulate the product and we can also create a safer environment whenever anyone consumes it. Researchers have enough evidence about its therapeutic potential and if this movement is promoted by authorities then it’ll be a huge boon for humanity. Legalization of anything increases the consumer’s safety as it’s labelled and safe for consumption. There are no major arguments against it but some scientists do believe that open consumption of psychedelics can lead to chaos but they have not considered the fact that if it gets legal it’ll be regulated. The scientists have virtually no funding to continue their research on these substances and also the public perception of these substances is very vague and false. Scientists argue that the awareness around this should be increased.

The public perception of these substances is the real problem. People put these drugs in the same category as crack and cocaine which is a very dangerous simplification. Although the majority of people are unaware of these substances but false interpretation dampers the image of the product. Psychedelics are referred to as “party drugs” but they are much more than that. The people who are aware of it are very limited and are unable to successfully communicate about it. Psychedelics needs to step out of its ivory tower and try to spread its importance where people don’t know anything about it. There are some communities in places like Haiti and amazon forest that celebrate the psychedelic culture and fully embrace it. But they are very small in number.

Before 1968, LSD and Psylocibin were legal. There were a lot of reasons for it getting banned. One of the reasons was the irresponsible behaviour of the civilians. People used it without really knowing about the substance. Your environment plays a big role when you are under the influence of psychedelics. If your environment is appropriate then your trip can be very soothing but if it’s not then it can result in psychosis. Some people ended up murdering someone. Although the biggest reason was the tyranny of the US government. Countries that had a well established psychoactive and pharmaceutical industry would’ve suffered huge losses if psychedelics expanded. The USA was one of them. The USA introduced a new classified system called scheduling. Under this system, drugs marked under schedule 1 are dangerous and offer no therapeutic value and the drugs marked under schedule 5 are safe and have some therapeutic value. LSD and Psylocibin were marked under schedule 1 even though enough evidence concluded that these substances have promising therapeutic potential. There was a conference organized between countries that had strong pharmaceutical markets and countries that we’re struggling to establish a pharmaceutical market. You can guess who won. psychedelics became illegal in most parts of the world. President Nixon’s assistant to the president John Ehrlichman went on record to say and I quote “The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. Do you understand what I’m saying? We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course, we did.” And after that, the criminalization has never stopped.

My opinion on this is every person who can experience these substances should do it. I am saying this because I’ve had some personal experiences with LSD. I have consumed LSD a couple of times and I can say without a doubt that It was the most profound experience of my life. What it does is it makes you reflect on your vulnerabilities. It doesn’t matter if you like it or not. You question your rights and wrongs and your worldview. We all are insecure about ourselves but we never take out the time to reflect and introspect. Lsd made me do that. It made me more aware of my surroundings, it made me more empathetic towards people so I can see things from their perspective. And most importantly, it made me resolve the conflicts within me. I had created an elite class system within me that I was hardly aware of. I used to judge and see people through this class system. During my trip, I realised that and immediately made a promise to myself that I will resolve this. That’s why I chose this topic. I was personally affected and I thought I can explain to people what a wonderful thing psychedelics can be. Like me, a lot of people find it hard to deal with their conflicts and I genuinely feel LSD can help them. If there’s such an efficient and wonderful medicine available to us, why don’t we use it for our benefit? There’s a reason we have a DMT receptor in our brain.

I would like to conclude by saying that with proper regulations psychedelics can help human beings increase their quality of life. I’ve given enough evidence to back my statement. All it needs is some support from the government and some positive word of mouth. Soon, there will be a lot of experiments and trials concerning this.

My sources-

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00187-9

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41591-020-00001-5

Why Are Psychedelics Illegal?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254121216_SocioCultural_and_Psychological_Aspects_of_Contemporary_LSD_use_in_Germany

How to improve Loving Mindful relationships?

Plenty of exercise. Healthy food. Positive attitude. Plain old good luck. There’s lots of advice out there about how to keep body and brain in optimal shape as the years roll by.

But Louis Cozolino, professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, is deeply engaged with another idea. In Cozolino’s book, Timeless: Nature’s Formula for Health and Longevity, he emphasizes the positive impact of human relationships.

“How we bond and stay attached to others is at the core of our resilience, self-esteem, and physical health,” Cozolino writes. “We build the brains of our children through our interaction with them, and we keep our own brains growing and changing throughout life by staying connected to others.”

5 Effective ways to strengthen your relationship:

Spend time with the right people

We generally become more and more like the people with whom we spend our time. The more we see someone model a behavior and see that behavior being reinforced in positive ways, the more likely we are to try it out ourselves—whether it’s a friend having success with a new exercise routine or a partner staying calm during disagreements by tuning into their breath.

One of the most fundamental ways to make sure your relationships are helping you grow is to surround yourself with the right people. Some relationships frustrate us, some make us happy, and some challenge us (and some relationships do all three!). While it isn’t always easy to stop and start relationships, of course, we can aim to spend more time with the people who challenge us.

Create goals with others

Who says that goal setting should be a solitary venture?

When we share our goals with others, we immediately have someone to keep us accountable. It is difficult to stay on track with a goal all the time, but it’s easier if we have someone to help us work through an obstacle or pick us up when we fall.

The social support that we receive from others is incredibly powerful, particularly during those tough times. When the pressure is high, those who have greater levels of social support tend to experience less stress.

We may also be more motivated when we are working toward a goal with someone else. Think about being pushed by a running mate to jog a little faster than you would otherwise. Or giving up your Saturday for a service project because a friend is doing the same thing. Sometimes we need someone else to inspire us to be our best.

Ask for feedback

It’s usually up to us to decide on the areas where we could use some self-improvement. And while this process of self-reflection is important, we can sometimes be bad judges of our own abilities; we usually assume we know much more than we actually do. So why not look to our relationships as a source of feedback about where we can improve?

Feedback is crucial for our development. Research has shown that when we seek feedback and use it as an opportunity for growth, we are more likely to improve over time. How much faster would that process be if we went and asked for feedback instead of waiting for it to come? Imagine your partner’s reaction if you were to ask for feedback on what you could have done differently after a big fight, or how blown away your teenager would be if you asked how you could be a better parent this school year.

Our positive relationships represent a safe space for us to work on ourselves with support from people who care about us. But sometimes we have to make the first move and ask for that support.

Use your broader network

Just like financial capital, social capital is a valuable resource that we can invest in for our own good. The more meaningful relationships we have, the more social resources become available. We often find work or beloved hobbies through our relationships, even at three or four degrees of separation—like your brother’s wife’s friend, who heard about that great new job opening.

In addition to exposing us to new ideas, activities, and opportunities, social capital also frees us up to do more of the things we are good at when we find others to help with the things we aren’t as good at. This has benefits at home and at work: For example, employees are more engaged when they get to spend more time using their strengths. And teenagers are happier and less stressed when their parents focus on building their strengths.

Be grateful

Gratitude has long been promoted as a way of increasing our happiness, but it also motivates us toward self-improvement. If you want a simple boost from your relationships, you can start by just practicing gratitude for them. The act of being thankful can increase our confidence and encourage us to move forward with our goals, perhaps because it tends to make us feel more connected to people and creates feelings of elevation—a strong positive emotion that comes when we see others do good deeds.

So think about someone who has helped you a great deal in the past, and reach out to thank them. Not only will that exchange feel good for both of you, but it might also reignite a relationship that can spark your further growth.

JOB CHARACTERISTIC MODEL

In the 1960’s, a research conducted by industrial psychologists and management theorists stated that repetitive tasks given to employees were leading to demotivation in them and the mundane technique of production line work was resulting in lesser productivity among the workforce. Hackman and Oldham, designed a corporate psychology model named – The Job Characteristics Model, based on this research. These two psychologists proclaimed that job tasks are itself a motivation for the employees. Their theory also approved the fact that, monotonous job work causes dissatisfaction among people, whereas a challenging job enhances motivation. The Job Characteristics Model incorporates five core constituents – Skill Variety, Task Identity, Task Significance, Autonomy and Feedback.

SKILL VARIETY – It incorporates questions related to, job variety, if the job is challenging enough and whether the job profile monotonous and too easy for the employee. Generally, an employee does perceive a benefit if he/she gets a job profile consisting of various skills sets. A variety in skills at a workplace helps one to work better, learn more, create a happier corporate environment and also encourages one to get creative while tackling different situations.

For Instance – A construction site painter has a lesser skill variety than a corporate event planner who regularly gets in touch with new people, plans and executes several events.

TASK IDENTITY – Being able to identify with the work given and taking pride in outcome of the work completed, is essential to build a satisfied employee. Rather than constantly rendering employees with a single portion of a project, allowing them to handle the entire project, results in a happier employee. The degree of noticeable work completed by a single employee and him being identified by it, is an essential component of Task Identity.

For Instance – The Aston Martin cars designed by Ford Motors in England, has its every engine handmade and autographed by a single craftsman after 16 weeks of completion of the model.

TASK SIGNIFICANCE – It refers to the degree to which a worker feels his/her job contributes to the overall efforts of the organization and to the world at large. The workers perceive their job as meaningful when the significance of the task performed by them is high and vice versa. Research explains how increasing task significance is connected to enhancement of job performance.

For Instance – A web designer who curates a corporate web profile for XYZ firm single handedly, experiences a greater task significance than a worker working in a product assembly line.

AUTONOMY – It is associated with the freedom that a worker gets in an organization. The independence to plan the workday and set up new procedures that one would like to follow, increases the sense of responsibility in employee, which in turn contributes to a greater motivational force. Allowing the employees to decide their pace of work, order of task completion or even letting them have a greater control over their tasks encourages them to work better. So, as long as the standards of work are met and the work gets completed within the stipulated period of time, it is upto the individual employee to decide how the work can be carried out.

For Instance – The firm ‘Google’ is known for the autonomy that it provides to the staff. This has helped them to foster a happier work environment by ensuring that the staff feels valued.

FEEDBACK – It is a constructive method to ensure a steady development in the work. Effective feedback given by seniors is essential for employees to understand their current level of performance, provides a sense of engagement and activity and lets them know what can be done by them to reach a higher level. It helps promote positive changes, set new bars for the team, and gives an individual an overall realistic view of the happenings in the firm.

For Instance – Employing Positive, Negative or Corrective forms of feedback is said to create a clear and honest flow of communication between various levels of employees.

Several companies face the issues of employee absenteeism, higher rates of employee turnover, late marks and at times lower levels of employee productivity. The only modus operandi of tackling these issues is – ‘Employee Satisfaction’. Job Satisfaction helps the employees to work passionately, deliver their level best and stick to the organization even in the worst case scenarios. Doug Conant has rightly said, “To win in the marketplace, you must first win in the workplace”.

SIX THINKING HATS

Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono, a Maltese physician, psychologist, philosopher and consultant, scripted the book ‘ Six Thinking Hats’. The conceptualization of this book has helped many organizations to boost their firm’s productivity by dividing the job profiles of the employees based on their styles of thinking. Each person takes up the role of a hat ensuring that all viewpoints and styles are covered efficiently. Accordingly, people can cohesively pool in their thoughts based on their area of interpretation. Often, firms arrange for activities wherein employees are divided into teams of different hat colours and are asked to speak about the firm’s newly launched product or idea based on the colour of their hat. This provides stimulus for gathering opinions.

WHITE HAT – It is also called as the Factual Hat. The white hat is associated with facts and information. It represents gathering of information. Discussions related to information available, information needed, missing facts, source of information are conducted. It deals with knowledge and insights at the beginning or end of a session.

GREEN HAT – It is also known as the Creative Thinking Hat. It represents growth and movement in an organisation. Lateral thinkers metaphorically wear this hat to show that they are looking for new ideas and solutions. It deals with openness to ideas, proposals, suggestions, ways to solve difficulties, and other alternative opinions.

BLUE HAT – It is also known as the Director’s Hat. It symbolizes limitless performance, calmness and control over oneself. It is generally worn by the facilitators during a discussion. It deals with management and organization. The blue hat wearers ask for summaries, decisions, conclusions and are the ideal people to set the agenda of thinking. Therefore, analyzing the information and reaching a logical conclusion is the central idea of this hat.

RED HAT – It is also known as the Hat for the Heart. It represents feelings, emotions, and instincts rather than logical reasoning. When one is involved in this arena of though process, he may express his feelings without having to give a logical reason behind it. It is a complete opposite of the White Hat which is entirely fact based. While working, employees do experience intuitions about another colleague as disloyal to the firm. The red hat allows a person to voice such sixth sense emotions with an appropriate label.

YELLOW HAT – It is also known as the Optimist’s Hat. Yellow hat thinkers reflect positive attitudes and scope for new opportunities. Such thinkers assess a plan and notice the benefits in it. Entrepreneurs and risk taking employees are involved in the group of yellow hat thinkers. The hat focuses on value, benefits and the positive speculation of why a venture may work.

BLACK HAT – It is also known as The Hat of Caution. It prevents an individual from indulging into immoral, illegal or unprofitable ventures. Employing a critical judgement to assess the risks involved in a plan is the task of black hat holders. It is often regarded as the most powerful hat because it assists in spotting shortcomings, giving reasons as to why a plan may not workout and giving out suggestions to overcome the drawbacks.

The concept of Six Thinking Hats developed by Edward de Bono, can be used as a powerful tool for inculcating the ideas of being more productive, focused and mindfully involved in the working of an organization. This tool can help an organization, to develop leadership skills, creative thinking, critical analysis and improve the overall performance of the establishment.

How Spotify analyzed brain activity to improve its ad experience

Neuromarketing, a field that makes use of studies and research into the human mind, thoughts, feelings and experiences to design better products, increase sales as well as enhance the marketability of organizations has been gaining momentum. It involves developing an understanding of consumer needs by applying the techniques of neuroscience. While some techniques such as EEG, fMRI and the like are used to directly measure brain activity corresponding to specific functions, other tools include eye tracking and biometric data measurement.

Neuromarketing requires a good amount of investment. However, it is worth the expense since, in comparison to traditional forms of data collection, such as questionnaires and surveys, it directly collects information from the subconscious, a prime source of human decision-making. Moreover, manipulation of data is less likely using this method and it establishes a far better emotional connection with the audience. PepsiCo, Hyundai, Yahoo and eBay are some of the well-known organizations that have used neuromarketing. Spotify, the leading audio streaming platform has joined the list by recently collaborating with the neuro analytics company Neuro-Insight to conduct a brain wave study.

How was it conducted?

The study was based on the experience of 600 participants who listened to multiple genres of music, ranging from rap, pop, Latin, etc. Audio digital ads were allowed to play in between. Brain activity was measured by researchers using a brain tracking method known as Steady State Topography (SST). According to its developer, Richard Silberstein, founder of Neuro-Insight, It not only measures an individual’s speed of response to stimuli but also helps in understanding psychological processes by analyzing the speed of various brain sensitively.

What were the results?

Emotional intensity can be increased by using digital audio since it keeps the long-term memory active and engaged in the process of searching for details and memories.
The genre of music determines its impact on the brain. Rap music, which is driven by speech, tends to bring about more engagement. On the other hand, genres such as instrumental and rock produce more emotional attachment.
About 93 percent of the brain’s capacity to engage with the music or podcast impacts the engagement with ads. This was a particularly noteworthy aspect for Spotify, an ad-driven platform and can serve other similar platforms in the future.

Jon Gibs, who is the principal data scientist and global director at Spotify, reported that this study was conducted to ensure that Spotify serves content that aligns with the interests of the consumer. He believes that through Neuromarketing, brands can get good insights into a consumer’s thought process as they consume multiple types of media. Samrat Saran, who is the head of client solutions at Neuro-Insight, said that this study would enable them to determine Spotify’s efficiency as an ad-driven platform.

This study provided some valuable insights which can be very helpful to plenty of content creating and streaming platforms. Advertisers are always looking for customer-friendly platforms and through such studies, user experience can be optimized in such a way that more investors would be attracted to pitch in, which would, in turn, generate better revenues and services. Even though Neuromarketing is not yet widely used, it has the potential to transform the future of marketing.

UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE

Reasearch says, about 7 lac people die of suicide annually, with approximately 132 suicides daily. An alarming rate, isn’t it? At times, we as humans may fail to understand what another individual might be facing. For every death by suicide, there are many more people who attempt it. Globally, ingestion of toxic substances, hanging and firearms are the most common methods of committing a suicide.

Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and scholar, identified four different types of Suicides. Durkheim stated that, there are no societies in this world, where suicides do not occur. It includes, Egoistic Suicide, Altruistic Suicide, Anomic Suicide and Fatalistic Suicide. We can understand the core of these four forms of suicide, with further expansion of each term.

1. EGOISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, when a man becomes socially isolated or feels that he has no place in society, he destroys himself. It is committed by people in order to find a route of escape from loneliness and introversion. Such individuals are devoid of proper care and empathy from the people in their lives. They are not socialists, hence they find it difficult to mingle in groups. This leads them to feel unhappy, alone and helpless in this world. Cutting off from the mainstream is the main cause of suicide in this case.

EXAMPLE – Person A, is an employee of a firm and is working most of the time in his day. He does not mingle with his relatives and friends or attend any social functions. Due to this, the ties with his family members are getting estranged day after day. His spouse argues with him regarding the same complaints. He now begins to feel alone. Ultimately, there arrives a day when he’s fed up with all the querulous complaints and fights, thus takes his own life.

2. ALTRUISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, it is a sacrifice of one’s life to save or benefit others, for the betterment of society. It is quite an opposite of Egoistic Suicide. An over integration with society may lead to extreme benevolence in an individual. The individual regards suicide as a sacrifice that he/she is making for the good of a group or society as a whole. People committing suicide due to such a reason may consider their act as courageous and selfless.

Example – In the olden times, Indian women used to lay themselves on the funeral pyre of their husbands in order to follow the cultural rituals.

3. ANOMIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, a moral confusion within an individual and inability to comprehend social direction may cause an upheaval in the life of an individual. An individual feels bewildered about the position that he holds in society and goes through a lack of self regulation. A sudden change in societal dimensions or ups and downs in a person’s personal life, may contribute to disappointment in his/her life.

Example – A once wealthy businessman, invests in a venture, but the venture fails miserably, he suffers a tremendous loss and goes bankrupt. Unable to deal with the sudden change in status and overall situation, he plans to end his life.

4. FATALISTIC SUICIDE

Durkheim states, Fatalistic suicide is caused from excessive regulation, that of persons with futures, pitilessly blocked and passions violently choked by oppressive discipline. Burden of mental and physical oppression by other people on oneself may lead to a constant feeling of hopelessness. Finding oneself under strict norms, rules, high civil expectations and regulations may lead to depression in oneself, eventually causing the person to end his/her life.

Example – A famous singer feels extremely conscious about her image in the society. She experiences a burden from society’s expectations from her and thus fears failure and poor performance. She fails to handle this undue pressure and has thoughts about ending her life.

In my opinion, suicides do have societal roots. The reason for any person to commit suicide does not solely lie with him, but with the society as well. We are all directly or indirectly dependent on each other for materialistic and emotional needs. Materialistic needs can be fulfilled in some or the other way but emotional needs rarely come to the forefront. Rightly approaching those experiencing stressful situations, intervening and empathizing can greatly contribute in prevention. Suicides are preventable, with individual, community and national support.

What is your Personality Type?

Are you a person who often wonders about what their personality is like? If the answer to this question is yes, then the MBTI would be a good starting point.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, popularly known as MBTI, is a psychometric test devised to give people a brief overview of their cognitive functions. Its structure is based on four major functions and is divided into 16 types. But, if we delve deeper, there are 8 functions in total. Most people won’t recognise the MMPI but would have some knowledge about the MBTI.

It is the most widely taken test with over 2 billion people taking it every year. This is the go-to test for schools, colleges and human resource departments for evaluating their candidates. The company that markets the test makes around 20 million dollars each year off the instrument.

History

The test was originally constructed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myer. Briggs started her research of human behaviour quite early on in her life. In some accounts, the year has been documented as 1917, when she officially began her exploration of personalities.

Isabel, Briggs’ daughter also joined her in this investigation and it soon became her lifelong fascination as well. During the First World War, the test’s goal was to provide a measure for people’s personalities and help them find suitable careers. Job satisfaction was widely absent from many people’s life at that point.

Construction of the test

The test is based on the mostly untested theories of Jungian personality theory. Carl Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, who extensively studied personality archetypes and founded the field of analytical psychology. In present times, his work is renowned all over the world.

The Briggs’ mother-daughter duo expanded on his theories and came up with the MBTI.

Typology

Jung divided humans into two broad groups – perceivers and judgers. Further, the former group was subdivided into individuals who prefer using their intuitions and the others who prefer the senses, and the latter, into feelers and thinkers. The resulting four types were classified based on people’s attitudes i.e introverts and extroverts.

Functions

Myers propounded that humans use all four cognitive functions. However, one function is used more prominently than the others. This constitutes the dominant function. This function is supplemented by the secondary/auxiliary function. The tertiary function is used to an even lesser extent. , while the fourth, is the least consciously used function. Myers referred to this function as the shadow function as it is diametrically opposed to the dominant one.

Reliability

In spite of the popularity of the test, many psychologists continue to criticize it, demanding that the test pass certain criteria to be called reliable and scientific. The validity of the instrument is dubious as the same person can get different results upon subsequent retakes. However, the MBTI instrument isn’t entirely useless as many people are drawn to the test. The desire to understand oneself is strong among many and in many cases, the MBTI can be a driving force behind personality development.

Conclusion

Presently, the test has become a big part of popular culture apart from being relevant in professional realms. It’s being used even on dating sites to find out the character traits of potential matches. Fictional characters, ranging from Harry Potter to Disney princesses, all have been assigned an MBTI type. It is not uncommon to find a mention of MBTI on people’s social media descriptions.

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Social Anxiety Disorder (S.A.D.) is also known as Social Phobia. It is one of the major psychological disorders listed in the DSM-5. It leads to a fear of social situations that involve direct or indirect interactionS with other people. It is a permeating disorder that can have a negative impact on an individual’s life. According to the latest data of 2020, 15 Million adults spread across the globe were diagnosed with social anxiety.

Reasons that lead to Social Anxiety

Genetic risk factors such as, a family history of anxiety related issues
Domestic atmosphere of anxious behavioral traits
Having an overly reactive Amygdala in the brain
Having to adjust in a new atmosphere during adolescence
Early childhood experience of bullying, rejection, avoidance, domestic conflicts, sexual abuse, death of a loved one, etc

Symptoms of Social Anxiety

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Blank or a racing mind
Excessive sweating
Stomach upset or nauseating sensation
Rapid heart rate
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Cold tremors or shivering
Respiratory illness
Palpitations
Avoiding eye contact with people

BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

Intense worry about social situations (attending a party, going for a social gathering, hanging out with with peer, presenting a business presentation, etc)
Use of intoxicants (alchohol, drugs, smoking) to face a social situation
Experiencing anxiety several day before the social event
Thoughts of embarrassing oneself before a group of people or a person
Mind racing over thoughts of being judged negatively by people
Trying to spot flaws in one’s own actions or social performances
Intense fear of meeting new people and interacting with them
Fear of making mistakes, having a shaky voice during public interactions

Diagnosis of Social Anxiety

A mental health practitioner (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Counseller) can diagnose a patient with social anxiety though a variety of methods.

Social anxiety can be determined through the following methods :

Listing out the situations that make the person anxious
Usage of techniques such as Questionnaires, Check lists, Survey to understand the symptoms experienced by the person
Applying the DSM-5 and ICD criterions to diagnose social anxiety

Treatment of Social Anxiety

Use of psychotherapy methods like personally interacting with the therapist about the problems faced by oneself and employing ways to generate happiness and overcoming the issue
Engaging in activities organized by support groups such as ADAA, Seven Cups of Tea, Daily Strength, etc
Pursuing hobbies that makes oneself elated (singing, dancing, sports, artwork,etc) and using one’s time constructively
Trained mental health practitioners may also suggest medications such as Antidepressents to regulate the levels of chemical messengers such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin in the body

Every year approximately 5 Million deaths occur due to anxiety and mood related disorders. Social Anxiety is not taken into possession by choice but varied circumstances leads to it. One must express concern and empathy towards any person known to face mental health related issues. Providing support and reassurance is much needed in such circumstances. Advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder proves that the future is still optimistic for those who suffer from it.

He said, she said- Psychology of manipulation.

“Fake it until you make it” has been a life mantra for many. It’s a scenario where you create a lie for yourself and keep believing that lie until it becomes your reality. But what if we are not the ones creating the lies? What if someone else lied to us and we made it our reality?

Hello readers, I welcome you to a new age of MANIPULATION. *cue evil laughter*

The lies we believe-

The term for this is Self fulfilling prophecy given by Robert Merton. The name itself is self explanatory but still I want to give some insight on it. This psychological term in short can be named as misconception that later becomes true cause at first we believed it to be true. So essentially a lie we believed in and subconsciously we commenced our work towards that lie and made it our reality.

Now what if somebody lies to us like “I know what you did last summer.” Pretty vague. No one’s a psychic here. But subconsciously we already start reminiscing what haphazard thing we did last summer hence giving into the manipulation and believing a lie.

Classic manipulation, isn’t it?

The lies made me do it-

Security dilemma is caused by Self fulfilling prophecies. It can lead to people not being able to distinguish between the actual truth and the prophecy discussed above. In general it is a political term which happens only 40% of times in a case of self fulfilling prophecy.

Take it like this, there’s a person, 2 parties A and B and an old age rivalry. So this person who favors none of these parties and wants to stir up some trouble. He goes to party A and says “Hey there, I found these filled water balloons near B. Weird right?” Now that A has evidence that B might be preparing for a water balloon fight they start packing their own balloons and Nerf guns. B part sees the ammunition. And voila blow the toot for a full fledged WATER FIGHT!!!

Now imagine this scenario going on a bigger level and let the realization dawn upon you that how everything is just psychology.

The lies I am-

Talking about Behavioral confirmation, it is a very special kind of self fulfilling prophecy where we change our personality according to someone’s initial belief about us.

Let’s make it clear with an example. Some random person comes up to you and says “When I first saw you I thought you to be a little aggressive.” Now remember this is a person whom you have met only 2-3 times and you are anything but aggressive. Now whenever this person come around you’ll start acting a little aggressive and sometimes even when the person is removed from the equation.

Leading a belief/expectation to turn into reality just like in the 2 cases mentioned above.

All these scenarios are derived from self fulfilling prophecy. A very basic way of controlling human brain according to our wishes. These psychological ways can be used positively too but if you decide to go for manipulation then I didn’t tell you this. Jokes apart, it’s still quite wondrous how a little he said she said shenanigan can be used in our favor.

PSYCHOLOGY – DEFENSE MECHANISM

What is defense mechanism? How psychology looks into this aspects? Defense mechanism are something that is studied under topic stress. What do you do when you are stress? You meditate, or listen to your favourite music, etc your some how try to divert your mind or make your mind and fight it. According to psychology defense mechanism are the unconscious strategies used to protect the ego from shattering due to unacceptable and harsh reality, it’s a face saving device. Excessive used of defense mechanism leads us to a habit of escaping from the reality and indulge in falsehood about’s one own self which causes lack of concentration eventually leading to symptoms of mental disorder. Let’s see some of the defense mechanism described by Dr. Sigmund Freud;

1) REPRESSION

Suppose a person has underwent a traumatic experience it’s called repression. It’s an unconscious mechanism devise by the ego to keep disturbing the thoughts outside our conscious awareness. Thoughts that are often repressed are those that would result in feelings of guilt from superego.

2) DISPLACEMENT

Displacement is the redirection of an impulse onto to less powerful target. In this case the person can’t retaliate against the actual source of their impulse and that person redirects it to a less powerful target. Example if your working parent is scolded by the boss in the office they come n vent out that anger on you.

3) SUBLIMATION

It is considered to be the a more adaptive defense mechanism in that it can be transform the negative thoughts and emotions into a more positive energy. It’s like redirecting your emotion into a productive endeavour.

4) DAYDREAMING

A person day dreams to escape the reality. It’s when life appears to be tough and unfair a person often uses fantasy to escape the reality. Adolescent is a stage when they get more into this defense mechanism which can be dangerous for their mental health. If they day dream excessively they may lose touch with the actual world and surrounding.

SOME OF THE MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

1) ANXIETY DISORDERS

The word anxiety is derived from Latin word ‘Anxietas’ which means uneasy or troubled mind. When a person feels nervous without any obvious reason for a long time and it affects the person daily life it is termed as Anxiety Disorder. There are many types of Anxiety Disorder let’s look at few;

– GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

Humans feels tension in their daily life it can be termed as a a good pressure as it compels us to face difficult situation in a systematic and planned manner like studying for exams or some responsibilities. But when this pressure becomes too intense and start to interfere with our daily routine it can be called as generalized anxiety disorder.

– PHOBIC DISORDER

The word phobia is derived from Phobos the name of a Greek god of fear. When an individual has an intense and irrational fear of some object or situation which they are not able to overcome it is termed as phobia; there are many types of phobia like fear of heights, fear of water , social phobia, etc.

2) DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

When a person experiences an extreme feeling of sadness as well as guilt due to some negative incidences or some other external factors for atleast two weeks it is called depressive disorder. People may experience suicidal thoughts, feeling of hopelessness, lack of sleep and many more.

3) BIPOLAR DISORDER

This is also called Manic depressive disorder. An individual experiences alternate phases of extreme sadness, hopelessness, stress at one time and extreme happiness, enthusiasm, and elation at other times. In some cases this conditions happens one after the other. Genetic factors, imbalance in neurotransmitter in brain, mainly norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are found to be the main causative factors.

BRANCHES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Today psychology has evolved to much higher level, it’s an important science in modern day. Now a days more than 50 branches of psychology are existing to study human behaviour from various points. Let’s know few of them;

1) CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

Child psychology is the study of subconscious and conscious childhood development. It deals with the biological, psychological and emotional changes that occur during childhood. A child psychologist uses standardized psychological test to measure intelligence, etc. They perform researches on effective child practice, etc.

2) COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Cognitive psychology is the scientific study of the mind as an information processor. It focuses on higher mental processes like thinking, reasoning and decision making. It concern about the study of attention, perception, language development, thinking, memory and problem solving.

3) CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Clinical psychology looks into the area of diagnosis and treatment of emotional and behavioural problems like mental illness, alcoholism, etc. To do the diagnosis a psychologist takes the detailed information of the patient by different test and interview. They use proper psychotherapy to help the patient to deal with the problem.

4) CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY

Criminal psychology deals with the study of criminal mind and their personality and the causes of this behaviour and suggesting effective methods to prevent this criminal behaviour and implementing it. A criminal psychiatrist plays an important role in forensic department to understand and detect the scene of crime place and interpreting clues for investigation. They generally work with law enforcement department or in a criminal rehabilitation centre or other departments of this field.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Narcissistic personality disorder or NDP is a personality disorder characterized by grandiosity. You may see it in people who have an inflated ego, with little regards to others. It is important to note that NDP is a psychiatric condition, and it is more complex than simply being arrogant. It’s distressing for those who have it and for those who’re around them. Hoping to shed some light on the condition, and sign that a person should seek help. While much of T.V and movies portray narcissism as people who feel like they’re better than everyone else, it’s usually not just the case.

What is narcissism?

Narcissism is a set of traits classified and studied by psychologists. The psychological definition of narcissism is an inflated, grandiose self-image. To varying degrees, narcissists think they’re better looking, smart and more important than other people and that they deserve special treatment.

Psychologists recognize two form of narcissism as personality traits:

Grandiose
Vulnerable

What is NDP?

NPD is a personality disorder in which the person feels self-important and craves constant validation.
Their feelings of superiority often hint at a deeper problem.
As their need of validation often comes from a place of insecurity and instability rather than genuine self love which they may not be aware of.

What causes NPD?

While the cause of NPD is unknown, researchers believe that it has to do with a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
It’s believed that 6% of people have this disorder. Men have a higher chance of this disorder than women.
Some believe that NPD is developed to cope with trauma and feelings of inadequacy. Others believe it may be learned in early childhood from dealing with anything, from abuse to excessive pampering.
There is even a debate as to how much of the disorder is passed down from parents to children acquiring the disorder.

What are the signs and Symptoms?

The feeling of grandiosity where they feel that they’re superior to others and low empathy are often seen in those with NPD; they don’t care much for others expecting to receive constant validation.

People with NPD feel as though they’re entitled to whatever they want which can be dangerous as it can manifest into toxic relationships.
They may manipulate others to get what they want.
They brag and exaggerate their achievements or feel envious of anyone that outperforms them, but deep down the person with NPD may be really dealing with their own feeling of inadequacy.

How to get help?

People with NPD may not seek help for the disorder itself as they may not know that there’s an issue.
Usually, people are diagnosed because they seek treatment for other issues such as depression or addiction.

However people who feel that they may have the condition and urged to reach out for help. NPD and the underlying feelings of inadequacy can be treated. It not only benefits the individual, but also to people around them.

What treatment options are available?

People diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder will most likely work with a therapist using psychotherapy methods.

Other self-improving activities such as:-

Doing exercises and,
Hobbies may be used in conjunction with therapy.

Coming to a conclusion, we do live in a very materialistic and Consumersious society and as long as that’s the case, narcissism is going to win because it’s about putting yourself first and not caring as much about others. Not to mention people with NPD can be very generous when it’s going to get them what they need. They may buy everyone big dinners and take everyone on a big vacation so it creates this illusion that there’s lots of people all around them, because it’s all the stuff that they’re making possible for them. It’s important to know that treatment is available and that life can be made more manageable.

CHALLENGES ESTABLISHING PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE.

Wilhelm Wundt a German physician and philosopher in 19th century set up the first psychological laboratory at Leipzig University in 1879 to study human behaviour, through his rigorous experiment, work and efforts made psychology emerged as a science.

However, establishing psychology as a science was a challenge. People still didn’t knew how the mind work and functions. There was still a massive amount of data yet to be gathered. Thought it emerged as a science it was into many controversies and criticism; let see what were they.

1) PSYCHOLOGY IN PRE PARADIGMATIC STATE

According to American philosopher, Thomus Kuhn psychology has not succeeded in producing a cumulative body of knowledge that has a clear conceptual core. It contrasts with other sciences.

2) PROBLEM RELATED TO OBJECTIVITY AND VALIDITY

Methods such as introspection and psychoanalysis are inherently subjective, so in some extant psychology falls short on the criteria of objectivity and validity.

3) OBJECTIFYING HUMANS

Since many experiments on humans and their behaviour some of the scientist from the same field criticised the work. They said it treats human as an object, it sometimes portrayed as dehumanizing.

4) ISSUES RELATED TO PREDICTABILITY AND REPLICABILITY

In psychology making exact prediction is difficult and major goal of psychology is to predict human behaviour and humans respond in different way in different situations thus causing more difficult to understand human behaviour. Therefore causing the test results in psychology are more varied, harder to control and difficult to replicate.

Attraction

Ever thought why do we get attract to someone? Well everyone has different answer to it. For some it can be the way one look, smiled, walk or may be their was an unusual aura around that one.

What is attraction?

Attraction, especially in a romantic way, is a complex process that take place in our brains, and has had it’s roots since it’s beginning of the humankind. It’s our minds way of telling us who has the potential to be our partner, our friend, or even our soulmate, and is based on a complex blend of our interest, values, experience, and desire. Physical and romantic attraction, which are often focused on, are only small facets of a much larger equation.

Psychologist look at the ingredients of attraction is in a form of pyramid, split into 4 different sections.

The base of the pyramid is made up of health and status:-

Status – 1. internal (confidence, self set, beliefs) 2. External (person’s job, possession and appearance.

Health – Physical attributes, smell, basic level of intelligence.

If the potential partners passes these initial requirements then we move to the center of the pyramid, which are the emotional factors:- includes

trust comfort someone wants,
their emotions intelligence, and
unique characteristics.

The final portion of the pyramid is “Logic”.This is the part that differentiate us from other animals, and is the part where our brains seriously

considers whether we are totally compatible for that person.
It ensure that the other person is aligned with us in term of what they want – things such as marriage, children, even the city they want to live.

According to this model, the more alignment there is, the more attraction there is, but it doesn’t always have to follow from bottom to top – like online dating.

What makes someone Attractive?

The answer to this questions make come to our mind is physical traits. Due to the influence of media, we tend to favor women who is younger, and more feminine features, in men on the other side, qualities such as broad shoulders, a deep voice, and strong jawline are highly upon.

Scientists suggest that, these also have an evolutionary origin because these traits are associated with a higher chance of producing health offspring and passing of good genes. Also, values, culture, and the environment, that we grow in also plays an important role.

Hence, attractiveness is complex, there’s a number of different perspective to consider, and at the end of the day, there’s very little we can choosing who we are attracted to. As each person looks for unique set of traits and, while physical traits are often focused there are far more factors that come into play. A person’s upbringing, behavior and even lifestyle have major influence. The most important thing to remember is to be happy and make the most of it.

Nostalgic Nightmares

Introduction

Dreams and Psychology

“Dreams are as simple or as complicated as dreamers.” The interpretations of the dreams are the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind. The theories state that dreams don’t mean anything. These are just images put in by the brain from the memories. These are the stimulants that help one face the tragedies of life. As it’s truly said, “an individual suffers more in imagination than in reality” proves in this situation. Before facing it in person if a being conquers it in the dreams, then it will encourage him to win easily in real life. Its history goes back to the early stages when it was used as a tool to fool enemies because though our bodies get paralyzed while dreaming minds stay active. There is a whole psychology behind the dream theory and an explanation of why we dream in the way we do?

You dream, what you believe!!

Interesting Facts

“I always dream about falling from great heights.” It symbolizes that something in your life isn’t well. It might mean you need to rethink a choice or consider a new direction in some areas of life. It characterizes fear in existence, perhaps falling in work or love. It often expresses a need to let go and enjoy more.

“I was attacked by a chaser in my dream.” These types can be quite terrifying. It might indicate a desire to escape from your fears. Running away from an animal often depicts that you are hiding from your anger, passions and other feelings. If your pursuer is mysterious, it represents childhood trauma. And if a person is of opposite sex then it reveals that you are haunted by love or past relationships.

“I died, no not in real….in my sleep.” Death is a very common subject of dreams. People imagine death either of loved ones or about themselves. It reflects anxiety about a change. Just like death, change can be scary. Those approaching the end of life and loved ones around them experience significant and meaningful dreams, often relating to a confronting presence, preparing to go, watching or engaging with the deceased, loved ones waiting, distressing experiences, and unfinished business.

“I flew like a bird while dreaming.” It can be liberating at the same time, quite frightening. It can represent two sides. One, independence and freedom. On the other hand, escape from the realities of life.

There are a lot of things that influence dreams. The first thing includes health conditions that affect the secretions of the brain causing sleep to disrupt. The type of food one intakes can also become the factor for the feeling of sickness and in turn affect the types of dreams one visualize. Daily exercises and a little change in daily activities can help improve sleep and at last the dreams. There are two ways to remember dreams; one by telling yourself that you want to remember them when you wake up and the other by grasping as many images as you can before getting out of bed or using a smartphone.

Dreams are more profound when they seem the craziest. “Life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves.”

While there is life, there is hope!

“When her husband and son entered the room to check-in, they found the bed empty and the window open wide. She finally jumped from the building. It took place around 3:00 am.” How many times we have come across these headlines but carelessly ignore them without giving a second thought what if one of our kin become the victim?

Suicide doesn’t end the pain, it passes onto someone else.

Why people self harm?

According to some, it is a way to control their body, as they can’t control anything else in their living. While others feel less anxious as the emotional pain slowly turns into a physical one. In addition, there are many other reasons for taking up the beautiful life of an innocent.

Will you cry, if I die?

I was five-year-old when I saw my mom in the bathroom lying with her hands full of blood. I have a vivid memory of an ambulance taking her to the hospital. Later I came to know that she was suffering from a maniac illness that brings extreme mood swings in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior; named Bipolar Disorder. I never received the love of my mother, as she used to treat me well in a happy mood while hit me when turned sluggish. And that's how I started seeking love from my girlfriends. The craving was so high that I expected them to behave like a mother and was very obsessive for them. As a result, I was not successful in any of the relationships. I always blamed my father for the condition of my mother, as I was in the illusion that his hitting was the ultimate cause of her sufferings. However, everything changed after her third suicide attempt with a note "Will you cry, If I die?" I was left all alone in shock and despair. Soon, all the truths were revealed. My dad became the best buddy and claimed that he never hit my mom, rather helped her to get better. Since then, I started becoming mode practical and gained control over my emotions. Now I'm happy with the family of 4 members. I miss my mom sometimes, but I know she would be happy somewhere in her new body away from all the miseries!!

Don’t lose hope. When the sun goes down, the stars shine. You have the power to say,
“This is not how my story will end.”

Career in Psychology

Psychology is a study of human mind, behavior and how it influences their overall personality. If you are a person who loves to know about every aspects of human mind, then you should definitely go for a career in the same. Psychology is something that most people has interest in but refuse to make a career out of it thinking that there is no scope! Let me tell you, no career is any lesser than other careers if you are truly into it. Let us know some basics about career in psychology.

Types of job roles in psychology

Career counsellors – Career counsellors are people who gives advice on choosing the right career paths for students who are in need of them. Choosing a career is one of the important decisions that we need to make in our lives and we need career counsellors to properly guide us towards the right path. You may think anyone can do that, even my aunt can do that. The difference is these people focus more on the suitable path for you rather than comparing jobs based on salary. They will first conduct tests to analyze your personality, interests, skills, intelligence level etc. You can opt for this job role if you believe you have enough knowledge about different career paths.
Forensic psychologist – Forensic psychologists are professionals who work with police investigators. They are taken along with the investigators to crime scenes where they are needed for crime investigation and law cases. Psychologists are much suited for investigates since they know how human brain works, they know how to get the truth from the criminal.
Clinical psychologists – Clinical psychologists have their own clinics or they work in hospitals. They deal with patients with mental illness and emotional disorders. They are professionals whoa are highly trained in diagnosis and psychological treatment. They conduct research and experiments on various psychology related topics to get better understanding of clinical psychology.
Educational psychologists – Educational psychologists learn about the learning process of our brain, and differences in learning of individuals. They are professionals who work in schools or colleges where they help the students who are suffering with mental issues. Educational sector can be hectic at times and makes the students suffer with random disorders. We have always needed people to talk when we feel suffocated from school/college works. Well, that is why educational psychologists exist.

Myths about career in psychology

“You can’t become a psychologist if you are an introvert” – It doesn’t matter whether you are an introvert or an extrovert if you have enough knowledge and the ability to cure patients with mental illness, If you can communicate your thoughts and give advice to your patients, then you can totally pursue that.
“Psychologists can read minds” – Absolutely not, they have greater understanding of human personality and behavior with which they can infer your state of mind but they can’t read minds!

Top 10 Interesting Psychological Facts in 2020

Humans are the most advanced creatures on the planet because they are born with ideas and thinking capabilities that are store in an organ called to mind. However, there are some interesting Psychological Facts which even the mind can boggle. The mind is the most critical and essential part of humans through which they are distinguished from all other living beings. The scientific study to know the behaviour and nature of the thinking capacity of the mind are called psychology.

Psychology tracks the activities human minds like how we think, what we think in a particular situation, how we learn, how we feel attract or negative about something, there are a lot of things that are going on in our minds. Through several surveys, researches, practical studying of human minds, many psychologists working in different parts of the world, listed out the enormous interesting psychological facts, describing unknown sides of human behaviour.

The American Association of Psychological Association considers that facts are invisible and inaudible but are the basis of human cooperation and thinking. So the psychological facts reveal many aspects and responses of the human mind.

Some of interesting Psychological Facts

Many psychologists are involved in taking out all the aspects of human behaviour but tracking all over human nature is impossible but many types of research and studies have taken out several interesting facts of the human mind. Every year American based psychologists, as well as another psychiatrist of the world, is bringing many new psychological facts, some of the most interesting psychological facts of 2020 area as follows:

The person who always keeps on advising others is himself dealing with many troubles of life.
Communication has the power to either ruin our mood or makes us happy. Good communication helps to reduce stress.
The people who quickly recognised their mistakes and feel guilty, they quickly understand other person’s feelings.
Music is the best stress reliever and listening to happy songs in a high volume gives a feeling of joyousness.
Trying those things that scare the people most gives a feeling of happiness and relaxation.
If a person is happy enough then sleeping much in not essential to give rest to the body. Happiness has the power to relax the body.
Travelling is the best medicine of stress and reduces the risk of heart problems.
Sometimes people easily write those things which they can’t speak. They prefer chatting instead of speaking with others.
People who expose their success goals, there are fewer chances of fulfilling them as the person lose motivation.
The smarter the person is, the sloppier will be his handwriting and he becomes more selective.

These psychological facts reveal many aspects of human behaviour and mind that come into existence after various researches and deep analysis.

Psychological facts about Love

Psychology studies the behaviour of human minds, loving others is also one of the critical aspects of our minds. The mystery of love is still not known as it is very complicated and difficult to explain in words. But with close analysis, the feeling of love is incorporated by many psychologists into some interesting facts. Some of the important psychological facts about love are as follows-

Psychologists prove that humans take just 4 minutes to fall in love.
The person cannot remain angry on their love partners for more than 3 days and if he remains angry for more than this period than there is no love between them.
If the ‘I LOVE YOU’ is said in the left ear than it causes a huge emotional impact on the mind of the person.
Even if two lovers remain in contact as a friend than it means that either they are still in love or they were never in love with each other.
Love partners who spend at least happy ten minutes of the day together then they will likely to remain together for a long time.
These wonderful psychological facts about love reveal that love is a very complicated feeling in humans

Psychological facts about Hot Shower

Every small thing has a big impact on our mind. Even taking a shower affects our mind. The time we spend taking the shower and the type of water we use for bathing reveals many aspects of our mind and behaviour. There are some interesting psychological facts about hot shower-

If a person spends a long time taking the shower with hot water reveals that he lonely from inside.
Taking a hot shower for a long time gives the person the feeling of togetherness that he is searching for in real life.
It reveals that taking a long shower with warm water helps to avoid loneliness.
The warm shower increases the body temperature which gives a feeling of togetherness and impact positively on various body parts.
The lonely person usually takes a long hot shower.

Thus, these are some of the most believable psychological facts about hot shower that is revealed by many renowned psychologists of the world.

Psychological facts about Dreams

One of the important and mysterious thinking capacity of the mind is dreaming. Dreams reveal many aspects of the human mind thinking and some of the interesting psychological facts about dreams are as follows-

90 per cent of the dreams that we see during sleeping got deleted from our mind. Within just 5 minutes of waking up, we forget the dream.
People think that as people who don’t see, they can’t even able to see dreams. But it is not true even blinds to have the capacity to see dreams.
It is revealed that even people with sight see uncoloured or black and white dreams.
Emotions and dreams have a direct relationship if we are anxious and negative thoughts overlapped our mind than we usually see bad dreams.
Even animals too can see dreams while sleeping.
Whatever we were thinking before we start sleeping, then there are high chances that those things we see in our dreams.

These are some of the interesting psychological facts about dreams that come after close analysis and surveying of the various people.

Conclusion

The human mind is a very complicated and critical thing to understand. Many psychologists all around the world are focusing on and analysing the people of different age groups, nature, profession, preferences to take out the possible facts about humans. Although many psychological facts have already revealed many are still unknown as human behaviour and thinking keeps on changing with time and space.

Many psychologists are working to bring everything that how the human mind thinks, reacts, response, and gets alert when a change happens in his surroundings. The human is very complicated to understand but many psychologists reveal these cognitive actions into psychological facts that reveals many aspects of the human mind.

Why & How To Stop Overthinking?

Worry is something that each and every person does but what happens when someone worries to much due to a trivial matter and why does that happen? Well, you tend to worry too much when you are over thinking or in simpler terms just thinking too much about a silly matter.

For example, if you are an overthinker, your friend not picking up your call could give rise to theories as vast as the seas and your mind may trigger you to remember any conflicts between the two of you in the past. An immediate action of an overthinker could be calling up multiple times and then texting the person asking if he/she is okay.

This seems too complicated, right? You worry too much about something that might not even be an issue. Overthinking destructs your sleep pattern making you toss and turn at night until it is already early hours in the morning when sleeping in isn’t an option you can choose. This leads to bad mood and low energy which dampens the entire day. And what is even worse is when you meet the person or face the situation you were overthinking about and understand that you lost a good sleep and a happy day because of absolutely nothing!

Why should you stop overthinking?

Overthinking increases the pain felt by the individual due to the stimuli (situation or person). Pondering over the issue makes you feel helpless and destructs your emotional stability making your hurt again and again. It is a poison that can traumatize you.

It does not help the individual to identify solutions for the issue rather it blocks out all the possible solutions and instead one is made to feel incapable.

The positivity within the person is replaced by negative energy due to anxiety, fear, anger, sorrow etc felt due to overthinking.

Overthinking successfully hides the goodness in the situation and highlights all the problems and conflicts due to the stimuli.

It successfully nurtures the insecurities and makes the person accustomed to the feeling of worthlessness.

It fills the person with thoughts about how the individual is not under control of the situation and this feeling stops the person from being prepared for the situation.

How to stop overthinking?

A distraction by doing something you enjoy is the most simple yet best way to stop overthinking. Grab some paint brushes and paint or get to cooking something tasty. Put on a music and vibe or water your plants. Talk to your friends or read a book. Do anything that can make you feel at ease.

Turn to yoga and practice meditation. This can help you be calm and keep your mind peaceful at stressful situation. A few yoga poses helps release certain hormones which triggers your mind to be cool.

Just think about your future as you envision and imagine how trivial this matter would be then. Laugh a bit on how your future self would find your current actions silly.

Take a book and write somethings you did the past week and try to find your happy moments. Reimagine the moments and rejoice in them.

Stop thinking about the problem and instead start channeling your thoughts to find the solutions for the issue.

Confront the issue! Don’t sit back and think about it. If you feel something is wrong, go to the person and apologize or else get the situation to be better.

Now, you might think that you are an overthinker after realizing that you have been in a similar situation but what you need to know is that everyone overthinks at some point of time and that is completely different from someone who cannot stop their thoughts. So overthinking should be stopped because it is self destructing but on the other hand, it is not too fatal and can be stopped with determination.

Signs You’re Overthinking

Overthinking is thinking about something continuously until you get a proper reason. A person ponders over a particular event wishing that he/she had acted differently until they find a solution and at times they may even think about it after solving it.

You can’t stop worrying.

Worry is a very normal emotion bet it is not too normal when a person exhibits it on a very frequent basis. You may find your self continuously being worried about trivial things one after the other. This is a very basic sign that you are overthinking about an issue.

You constantly think about your mistakes.

Constantly thinking about the mistakes you have committed in the near of far past is another sign. You may tend to keep on thinking about the mistake and wish that you could correct it.

On recalling conversation, you wish that you shouldn’t have said somethings.

A very common thing we all do is regret a few words or conversations we had. Well, that’s quite normal but when you regret something you said which isn’t really a sensitive topic or if you feel bad for a small joke, they you are overthinking.

You dwell on the way someone spoke or acted.

Not all people can act and speak according to our perceptions and likings and thus, these are things to either confront in a polite manner or just ignore. Without doing either of them, if you keep on thinking about what happened and feeling that the person dislikes you, then you have spotted an over thinker.

You face difficulty in falling asleep.

Your mind may be rethinking over actions or encounters you had on the day and it may give you confused or conflicted feelings making you ponder on them. Your brain becomes active and prevents you from being relaxed.

You think about hidden meanings behind people’s actions and words.

Spending your free time thinking about the assumed hidden meanings behind the way a person acted towards you or rather the words a person spoke to you is definitely a sign that you are an over thinker.

You feel worried about your future.

Being constantly sorrowful or fearful about something you cannot control is another sign.

You feel trapped in problems.

You are constantly moving from one issue to another. You continuously keep on tackling issues and once an issue is solved, you seem to find another issue lined up for you to tackle again.

You dread a vague or one word reply.

You may write in a big essay about something and get a ‘kay’, ‘k’ or ‘okay’ as reply, this would make your head go in turns and find theories after theories figuring out a possibly non existent issue.

You are too self conscious.

You are always conscious about what you speak, the way you act, the replies you give etc. You feel that everyone would judge you for what you say and making a mistake probably isn’t even in your dictionary.

You expect the worst out of situations.

You overthink about situations and feel that the possible outcome of it will be against you. You get filled up with negative emotions like fear and anxiety.

You love to ask ‘why’.

Your favorite question is often ‘why’ because you tend to keep on thinking about reasons for certain actions or situations. You feel much more relaxed and calm once you know the reason.

Never think less of yourself!

I am sure there were times you tried so hard to get something but you never got it. You felt like a failure. You saw people around you growing higher and higher, so you felt inferior. Everyone in their life goes through this phase. Let me stop you right there. I am not here to remind you about all those feelings. I am here to tell you that you are amazing.

You may think it is so easy to talk positively. But when someone is actually going through hard times, it is hard to implement positivity in their life.

Let me tell you, mindset is what matters in the end. I am going to list out things that you can instantly do in order to bring positivity.

Before that, I would like to include something about myself. Positive thinking is a very difficult concept for me. Even though I know how important it is and how it helps us get so much better when we are down. So I tend to feel inferior to others. I tend to feel that I am not good enough. I am still having a hard time. But I always try to do something (anything) to make myself happier and to keep myself busy. No matter what it is (except binge-watching series XD).

Whenever you feel inferior,

First of all, YOU ARE NOT INFERIOR. It is just a feeling, not a fact. So stop thinking like that.

People gave me the advice to communicate with others. That’s actually a good idea if you are a people person. Since I am not, I always did everything by myself. I isolated myself during hard times to come back stronger.

Try doing something that you really really love, no matter how SMALL it is! You got to do it if it makes you HAPPY.

Ask yourself this question. Why do I feel inferior? If you get an answer, that’s your answer! For example. If you don’t have a job but others do, which in turn makes you feel like a failure. Just keep trying. Seriously keep trying. It can take weeks, months, or even years. But keep trying with passion. Keep trying to get something that you really want to do. Keep working on that. One day you will get it, that would be the happiest time of your life. All of a sudden your inferiority complex will vanish, you will feel stronger. You will be proud of yourself. Doesn’t matter if you get less salary than others, at least you got something that you have been waiting for for a long time. Something that you love. That’s what matters. Keep it simple.

Most times it’s not you who actually feel bad about yourself, it is your surroundings. The questions like, what would my relatives think if I don’t get a job by this year? What would my parents say? What would people around me think about me? Will they think I am useless? Well, even if they do. YOU DON’T HAVE TO CARE ABOUT IT. Only YOU know what you are going through. Only YOU know how much u tried and what you really want.

So never ever give up on yourself. It is okay to let bad feelings out at times. But you don’t have to feel like that all the time. You deserve happiness. Keep yourself happy. Keep trying, keep learning.

The fear of missing out

What Is FOMO?

The basic definition of FOMO is – “Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on social media.”

The most important element in FOMO is the word “fear,” It makes us to do things even when we necessarily don’t want to. It’s logic versus emotion: When a compelling option is presented to us, we feel like an outsider if we say “no” to that. We may even fear that we’ll miss the opportunity of a lifetime if we say “no.”

At the same time, we know that we probably shouldn’t say ‘yes’ because we may be spreading ourselves too thin. Also, there are going to be plenty of other opportunities out there, so missing this one probably won’t make a difference after all.

Symptoms of FOMO

When you are a victim of the fear of missing out, you are going to experience at least one of the following:

Procrastinating — Being Unfocused and Stressed

It’s obvious that when the temptation to say “yes” to a request is too big, you accept yet another task or project.

In practice, you are spreading yourself too thin. Not only are you stressed out by too many activities in your life, but it increases the likelihood for procrastination. This is because you cannot keep up with your schedule and you start finding excuses for not doing something you promised.

Losing Money

Sometimes you don’t want to feel like being an outsider in a group by making different decisions than the rest of the people, so you start spending money on the things you don’t even want because you don’t want to feel left out or miss out on anything which could have been “fun”.

Feeling Overwhelmed

Being overwhelmed is one of the symptoms of fear of missing out. When you are unable to say “no,” feeling overwhelmed is destined to happen at some point.

How to Get Over FOMO

There are certain things you can do when you experience FOMO.

1. Be Aware of It

The first thing is to be aware of the feeling. Stop for a moment and acknowledge when you are having a feeling of FOMO.

Understand that this is a natural (although undesirable) way of reacting in a certain situation. We all wish we could say “yes” all the time, but we’re only human.

2. Be Honest With Yourself and Others

Honesty is one of the best ways to deal with the situation.

First, you have to be honest to yourself: If you say “yes,” you have to understand that you may be spreading yourself too thin.

Second, it is also important to be honest with others, too. They have to be aware that you may not be 100% committed to their requests if you have plenty of action going on at the same time.

3. Make a Quick Decision Regarding the Situation

One of the worst things you can do is be on the fence. As long as something is left undecided, it is using your brain capacity for nothing.

That’s why it is imperative to say “no” to an opportunity as quickly as possible if you feel you are unable to commit to it 100%.

When you say “no,” you may even regret your decision at first. On the other hand, if you are meant to experience the opportunity at all, it will come available to you at a later time.

4. Change Your Perspective

Lastly, one step in defeating the FOMO is to see if a situation or event supports your short or long term goals.If it doesn’t, it’s likely better for you to get off social media sites that can increase FOMO and say no. Instead, focus on everything you have to be grateful for in life at this moment. Try spending time with friends and family and improve the important relationships in your life. These are the things that you’ll really regret missing out on and what will ultimately improve your life satisfaction.

Conclusion

FOMO can lead you to distraction and can push you to do things you really don’t care about. However, there is a way to overcome the fear. Once you learn to handle it, you will feel better and will feel ready to take on more things that add genuine fulfillment to your life.

Nyctophobia- A Disease?

“ Did you finish watching that horror movie?”

Yes!

“ What did it cost?”

36 mini heart attacks and 2 sleepless nights. That’s it.

If you can relate to this, guess what, you are nyctophobic. In simple terms, nyctophobia means the fear of the dark.

But don’t panic, you are not alone. Nyctophobia is the third most common phobia of all phobias, so you are not the only one who sees immortal figures at night. But that does not mean that you shouldn’t take it seriously. Also, guess what? It can go away.

Nyctophobia should not be confused with phasmophobia though. Phasmophobia is the fear of ghosts but nyctophobia includes a lot of things. Fear from anything which has an evil or a dark side.

While this type of phobia cannot surely be referred as a mental disease, it is, however a mental condition. But you do need to go to a psychiatrist for it and again IT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.

SO let us talk about it for once.

SYMPTOMS OF NYCTOPHOBIA

Physical symptoms include:

trouble breathing
racing heart rate
chest tightness or pain
shaking, trembling, or tingling sensations
lightheadedness or dizziness
upset stomach
hot or cold flashes
sweating
crying out of stress

Emotional symptoms include:

overwhelming feelings of anxiety or panic
an intense need to escape the situation
detachment from self or feeling “unreal”
losing control or feeling crazy
feeling like you may die or lose consciousness
feeling powerless over your fear

Basically, a person with nyctophobia sees things that aren’t present there. Not only ghosts or monsters, but they can also imagine that somebody wants to kill them or something. Most people with this condition cannot even sleep alone with the lights switched off, because they are not able to convince their mind that THEY ARE sleeping alone in fact. If you know what I mean.

In my case, for example, whenever I used to sleep alone and I closed my eyes, my mind used to tell me that there was somebody standing inside the room staring at me and I used to end up opening my eyes each time. According to my mom, it was very normal of anybody on this planet to not be able to sleep alone for about 2-3 nights after watching a haunted movie or something and so I do not need a psychiatrist. But you know that you are nyctophobic when there is another haunted movie going on inside your head each day even without taking a glimpse of it on tv. So now, after a lot of persuasions, my mom is convinced to allow me to see a psychologist.

This war is difficult to win and I know it because you have got to fight a long battle with your own mind over here and oh boy your subconscious is more powerful and strong than you know. So, the following are some things you can do to get a strong spell on your own subconscious and overcome this fear of the dark:

1. MEDITATE – This one is very important. It is going to help you to peace out your mind. It will help you get in terms with your subconscious. You can meditate daily for 20- 30 minutes any time of the day.

2. Believe in god- Even if you aren’t a very religious person, just believing that there is a greater force out there that is holding something positive for you can help a lot. And yes, it is tried and tested.

3. Medicate- Yes, there are drugs like Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications that can control the physical reactions you have to the dark, like racing heart and panic attacks. But this cure is pretty temporary and not really advisable because it may start to affect your health.

4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy [CBT] – The success rate of this therapy is over 90% and it is very much long-term. You will have to consult a therapist or psychiatrist for this.

5. Avoid watching movies or shows that scare you. This can decrease your level of anxiety at night.

6. Start with little steps. You can start by leaving a little light lamp ON at night and then go to sleeping in complete darkness.

7. CONSULT AAAAA THEERRRRAAAPIISSSSTTT ! Because if you simply don’t, this fear can start to have adverse effects on your health. It will affect the amount and quality of your sleep and cause sleep deprivation. THIS can interfere with our daily life chores. This fear can lead you to take sleeping pills, which as we all know are not trustable enough in regards to our health as well.

And finally,

THE CAUSES OF NYCTOPHOBIA

There aren’t any well-defined causes of this type of fear. It can be genetic or hereditary, if any of your parents have it, there are high chances of them passing it on to you. It can also be caused through the memories of any bad incidents in the past like the death of a loved one, or an accident. Or it can be NATURAL, and it might go away with your growing age.

Conclusion

Lastly, you should definitely not ignore this phobia as it can persist for a lifetime if not taken care of. You should not, however, panic or feel embarrassed because of your fears and should tell your parents asap because these types of phobias are pretty common and can naturally be found in any person. So just cherish your life and realize that there is a bodacious side to the darkness that is waiting to be discovered and admired by you : )

The Profession of Perfectionism

As beautiful but unachievable as the word “Perfection” sounds, the meaning behind the word “perfection-ism” is quite the opposite. Perfectionism starts because of low self-esteem and leads to even lower self-esteem. As I am writing this article, perfectionism is trying to trap me and halt my productiveness, it’s telling me that I shouldn’t write this article if I can’t write it with uttermost perfection in this world. Perfectionism is like unconditional love, we spend our whole lives chasing it, while the ‘intellectuals’ of this world try to figure out if it even exists or not.

What is perfectionism?

Have you seen those paper balls lying around an author’s desk in movies or in real life? Well, they would define perfectionism better than some mere words. But here is the real definition. Perfectionism is often defined as the need to be or appear to be perfect, or even to believe that it’s possible to achieve perfection.

It is not a mental disorder, however, it can be considered as a mental condition. To get a better insight on this, we need to know about the 3 ‘P’s- Perfectionism, proficiency and procrastination. Basically, perfectionism can lead to either proficiency OR procrastination. In simple words, proficiency is- expertise or improvement and procrastination is- what you have done your whole 11th grade. And sadly, perfectionism has a better chance of putting you into that loop of procrastination than increasing your proficiency.

“Perfectionism in itself is imperfection”

Signs that you are a perfectionist

What makes you a perfectionist? -Unrealistic Expectations. Unrealistic can be parental or through your peers. But how can you identify that you, in fact, are one? Let’s take a walk on this.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image.jpeg — The loop of perfectionism

You focus on the results more than the process- If you are not a big fan of making your journey at beautiful as your destiny, you might fit into this category.
You are always afraid of not being enough- Constantly having a feeling that you can never be a 100% in your life can get you into the feedback loop from hell which can effect your self esteem to extents.
You are too afraid of failure- Again, perfectionists get that fear of failure inside their head even before getting started with the assigned task.
All or nothing- You have a thought process that you shouldn’t do that work at all if you can execute it with ultimate perfection which leads to procrastination.
You can’t even take constructive criticism- You see criticism regarding your performance as a degradation to your personality and not as a stepping stone towards improvement.

How to get over this condition

Start your day with a fresh mind- Morning meditation can help you in diving deep into your conscience and getting to know it. It also gives a productive start to your day.
Follow the loop of productiveness- According to this, one completed task gives us the motivation to start with another task on our list. You need to follow this and alarm yourself if you feel that your chain is breaking.
Stop overthinking- Whenever you feel like you are blaming yourself a little too much for something, think about something which is going to destress you. For me, it is dogs and music, likewise, you will have to do some self analysis to find your contentment.
Don’t push yourself for every small mistake you commit.
Go to therapy- No, I don’t mean listen to Taylor swift songs duh! I am insisting on really going to therapy for this.
Take out time for yourself- Everyone has that one thing they’d do if nobody would be there to judge them. JUST DO THAT THING, without the pressure of being perfect at it.
Remember that you don’t have to be productive all the time- In my case, I used to procrastinate the whole day and feel guilty about it at the end of the day and procrastinate even further. SO PLEASE START NOW if you haven’t already.

Conclusion

Just remember that you aren’t the only one who finds themselves stuck in this loop everyday. You just need to be reminded that you can’t get out of any loop until you change your direction.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

Digital Detox

It all started a few months back, spending time on my phone was making me feel sick to my stomach. The strive to remain connected was making me feel annoyed, distracted and detached than ever.

Ever since data charges got cheaper and cheaper, using social media platforms one after the other became a part of our day. A routine to be exact.

It started off with taking over our lives when we felt bored at first, time does fly when you’re having fun. The transition to a time when we grew bored of it often. We’re certainly overdoing it.

However it never felt like an addiction to me, but on contemplation it became rather obvious that the struggle was inflicted by the content I consumed. The connectivity was paying a one hefty fee.

As faith would have it, one day it finally hit me. A solution to my problem lies in plain sight. Simple but genius. ‘Why do I have to do it, if it’s not healthy for me?’

A grave moment of epiphany.

The pandemic has fuelled people to spend long hours on their phones. The amount of content consumption should be a reason for concern.

We fancy all that our brothers from the West preach. We try to dress like them, eat like them and when they went onto to discovering social media platforms, we accepted it wholeheartedly.

Now as more and more such brothers preach the need for digital detoxes, this can’t be more true. They more or less do have an elder sibling effect on us.

The solution was ever apparent, for the taking to the ones that seek. We’re all stressed, tensed and severely pumped up than ever before. We all do find it hard to manage time too, and our attention span is just a little more than that of a goldfish.

Above all, the lack of sleep has also been found to have it’s toll on a few. The trends seemed to have circulated a few years back, around the time when the data charges were dragged to the ground.

The very essence of us passing time, being the very reason behind the matter of concern. They say, “the best days are the ones that doesn’t make you check your phone,” so why not do it? Make it a reality.

Social media has helped us out immensely, letting us to be connected to our loved ones around the world. Helping relationships to sustain itself over geographical and time barriers.

However we fell short to draw the boundaries. Boundaries are necessary. Knowing where to draw the line can absolutely do wonders.

The idea of a digital detox seemed a bit paradoxical to me at first. Cutting out the use of any device that is electric, seems far too barbaric, now. Our lives are so entangled that getting rid of it is not an option. However, Striking a balance seems apter by leaps and bounds.

I believe radical changes can cause more bane than boon. Whereas baby steps can take you places. Rather than completely throwing it out the window, imposing restrictions can be the first step.

Reducing the screen time to a smaller periods and then slowly stepping up a notch every now and then.

If it gets better and better, do more of it. After all life’s more about doing things that sets One’s soul on fire right.

Why should one bicker from doing more of what makes you feel better.

I believe in preaching what I believe in, A couple of months down the line, following the following has made me feel so much better lately. I’m connected but disconnected. Life got so much better.

Live and let live, right?

Graphology

Graphology is the study of hand writing to assess the personality traits of a person. It is the evaluation of physical characteristics and patterns of a handwriting to identify personality characteristics. It is also used to identify the writer and their mental state during the time of writing. The word graphology has been derived from the Greek word grapho meaning writing and logos meaning study or discussion. Graphology has been used by European psychologists and counsellors. It says that there is a relationship between personality, conducts, intellectual level, temper and character in handwriting. Hand writing can be analysed according to pressure, size, slant, zones, layout (margins, spaces between letters, words and lines). At present there are also some AI tools and websites which can be used.

Alfred Binet conducted a study on handwriting and called graphology “the science of the future”. In 1929, Milton Bunker founded The American Grapho Analysis Society. It made two different branches in the world of American graphology – graphoanalysis and holistic graphology.

Graphologists

The works of some graphologists are mentioned below:

Max Pulver had authored three graphology books (from 1931 to 1949) and several articles. He has worked on pressure, intelligence, and crime. He developed the theory of symbolism of space and founded the Schweizerische Graphologische Gesellschaft (Swiss Graphological Society) in 1950 and was its president until his death.

Camillo Baldi was an Italian philosopher who worked on a variety of subjects. His best known essay on graphology was the first detailed investigation of the discipline.

Robert Saudek was a Czech-born graphologist. He was also a writer of novels, stories, poems and plays. He had considerable influence on the content and standing of graphology worldwide and published numerous articles in many languages like The Listener, the Journal of Social Psychology. He founded the Professional graphology society in the Netherlands and started two academic periodicals: in Dutch and English. Many graphologists worldwide today refer to Saudek’s work without knowing the origin. He published Experimental Graphology in 1929. Saudek examined the speed in handwriting and quantified handwriting by using a microscope, caliper, pressure board, ruler, protractor and slow-motion pictures. He also dealt with graphological phenomena in terms of the experimental psychologists.

Sheila Lowe is a British-born novelist and graphologist. Her first book was published in 1999 and was a bestseller in the Complete Idiot’s Guides series. In 2007, the first edition of Poison Pen, the first of her Claudia Rose forensic mystery series came out, published by Capital Crime Press. She is at present the president of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation.

Studies

There have been studies in the U.S. on handwriting and sex. According to the research sex could be determined through writing at a significant level. Studies on ethnicity, race, age, nationality, sexual orientation, weight have got mixed results. According to the Hungarian Parliamentary Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, handwriting analysis without informed consent is considered to be a privacy violation.

Controversy

Graphology has been a controversial topic for about a century. Some suggest that empirical studies have failed to show its validity to perform personality evaluation. Although it has got support from the scientific community in the mid twentieth century, recent researches have rejected the validity of graphology as a tool for assessing personality and job performance.

History of Psychology

Psychology is an exciting field because we have explored deep beneath the oceans, above the skies but we haven’t explored ourselves. Since every person is unique therefore this branch of science is challenging than any other. And knowing the history of the field helps to make sense from where it has grown and developed. History is very crucial for understanding something. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time seeing a physician, talking to a counselor, or applying for a job, everything starts with history. the history of psychology has no definite answer, some say it started with ancient Greece, some trace it back to the 19th century when psychology was formally proposed and instituted. Precursors to psychology could be found in philosophy and physiology. In the early 1800s, these principles were taught as courses on mental and moral philosophy that taught mind based on the faculties of intellect, wills, and senses. Philosophical questions about the nature of mind and knowledge were matched in the 19th century by physiological investigations of the sensory systems of the human observer. German physiologist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–1894) measured the speed of the neural impulse and explored the physiology of hearing and vision which indicated that our senses can deceive us and are not a mirror of the external world. This showed that even though the human senses are fallible, the mind could be measured using the methods of science. An important implication of his work was that physical reality and psychological reality are distinctive. The question of the relationship between mental and material was investigated by several German Researchers called psychophysics, which would serve as the basis for the new science of psychology. But the formal development of modern psychology was credited to a German physician, psychologist, and philosopher Wilhem Wuhnt. The researches conducted by Wilhelm attracted students from across the globe to study experimental psychology. On such student, Edward Bradford Titchener brought this idea to America and named it “structuralism”. Structuralists were interested in the contents of the mind. While structuralists were expanding in America, others like William James inspired by Darwin’s evolutionary theory formed “functionalists” who were interested in activities of the mind. Opposed to the idea of Titchener, James believed consciousness is continuous and cannot be reduced to elements. Consciousness helps us to adapt to the environment, make decisions, and have personal responsibility for the choices. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, psychology continued to grow and flourish, one good example was Gestalt psychology whose perspective is “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Most of the practitioners of Gestalt psychology were Jewish and were forced to flee Germany during the Nazi Regime. They came to America where they demonstrated their new audience how Gestalt could be used to perception and learning and thus could be said as the precursor to the rise of cognitive psychology. Behaviorism emerged early in the 20th century Championed by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B. F. Skinner, it rejected any reference to mind and viewed overt and observable behavior as the proper subject matter of psychology. For decades behaviorism dominated American psychology. Modern intelligence tests were developed by the French psychologist Alfred Binet whose goal was to develop a test that would identify schoolchildren in need of educational support. His test, included tasks of reasoning and problem solving, was introduced in the United States by Henry Goddard and later standardized by Lewis Terman at Stanford University. Clinical psychology was also an early application of experimental psychology in America. Lightner Whitmer, a Ph.D. in experimental psychology believed that because psychology dealt with the study of sensation and perception, it should be of value in treating children with learning and behavioral problems. He is credited as the founder of both clinical and school psychology. Given that psychology deals with the human condition, it wouldn’t be surprising that psychologists would involve themselves in social issues Helen Thompson Woolley and Leta S. Hollingworth were pioneers in research on the psychology of sex differences who proved that emotions didn’t influence women’s more than men nor menstruation. Among the first generation of African American psychologists, Mamie Phipps Clark and her husband Kenneth Clark studied the psychology of race and demonstrated how school segregation negatively impacted the self-esteem of African American children.

It wouldn’t be possible to mention the rich history of psychology in such a short space, thus omissions and errors are plausible. This brief history provides some glimpse of the history of psychology, hoping for you to see connections and have an appreciation for both unity and diversity of the field of psychology.

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Bulimia-An Eating Disorder

In today’s instagram world,People especially adolescents are getting image and body conscious.They look at the perfect bodies of celebrities and aspire to be like them.In this aspiration,they are psychologically and physically wounded.Most of such people experience eating disorders where in they undergo extreme changes in their eating and exercise habits.Ultimately they damage themselves.

So,in today’s blog lets look at one of the eating disorders called Bulimia Nervosa,it’s causes and it’s impacts.Let’s get started.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating—consuming a lot of food quickly—followed by compensatory behavior, most commonly vomiting or “purging.” People who are bulimic often feel a lack of control over their eating. A bulimic can consume as many as 3,400 calories in little more than an hour and as many as 20,000 calories in eight hours.

People with bulimia often know they have a problem and are afraid of their inability to stop eating. Bingeing is then followed by purging — namely, self-induced vomiting or the abuse of diuretics or laxatives. Bingeing and purging are often performed in secret, with feelings of shame alternating with relief.

The bingeing and purging cycle is usually repeated several times a week. As with anorexia, people with bulimia often have coexisting psychological illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse problems. Many physical dysfunctions result from the purging, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal troubles, and dental problems.

An estimated one to four percent of females have bulimia nervosa during their lifetime. The prevalence in males is unknown, but bulimia nervosa is far less common in males than females. Most cases begin in the late teens and early 20s, but can go undetected until the 30s or 40s.

SYMPTOMS

Bulimia signs and symptoms may include:

Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
Living in fear of gaining weight
Repeated episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting
Feeling a loss of control during bingeing — like you can’t stop eating or can’t control what you eat
Forcing yourself to vomit or exercising too much to keep from gaining weight after bingeing
Using laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating when they’re not needed
Fasting, restricting calories or avoiding certain foods between binges
Using dietary supplements or herbal products excessively for weight loss

CAUSES

Exact causes are not completely known and are believed to complex.Hence there is no single known cause of bulimia, but there are some factors that may play a part,such as:

Culture:As in strict body expectations:Slim and trim girls wanted for marriage in India.
Families:Constant pressure and criticism from parents on looks of children
Life changes or stressful events: can trigger bulimia.
Personality traits: Those with bulimia may have low self-esteem and feel hopeless.
Biology.:Genes, hormones, and other biological factors may contribute to development of bulimia.

Impact

Bulimia has a great impact on the individual and can lead to following complications:

Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning
Dehydration leading to kidney failure
Heart problems
Severe tooth decay and gum disease
Absent or irregular periods in females
Digestive problems
Anxiety, depression, personality disorders or bipolar disorder
Misuse of alcohol or drugs
Self-injury and suicidal thoughts.

Management

If left untreated,bulimia can create major complications in life as mentioned above.Hence if you see your loved ones experiencing symptoms of bulimia,support them and console them.If the symptoms are unbearable,immediately consult a doctor and psychologist who will be able to help the patient successfully.

Please spread empathy and kindness.Acceptance and kindness can prevent bulimia in such insecure people.Every difficulty can be defeated with empathy,patience and willingness to improve and come out.

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Stay Kind!

Motivation:The background force

Why have i written this blog?why are you reading this blog?Why do you eat?Why do you love?

The answer to all of these actions is MOTIVATION!Motivation is the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. It is what causes you to act, whether it is reading this article, getting a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge.So this blog will critically analyse the concept of motivation and help all of you to understand the reasons behind your actions.So lets get started!

Motivation describes the wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal. It is an urge to behave or act in a way that will satisfy certain conditions, such as wishes, desires, or goals. Older theories of motivation stated that rational thought and reason were the guiding factors in human motivation; however, psychologists now believe that motivation may be rooted in basic impulses to optimize well-being, minimize physical pain, and maximize pleasure.

Motivation involves the biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that activate behavior. In everyday usage, the term “motivation” is frequently used to describe why a person does something. It is the driving force behind human actions.

So lets analyse the mechanism of motivation

Drives and motives

Motivations are commonly separated into drives and motives.

Drives are primarily biological, like thirst, hunger, sleepiness, and the need to reproduce—all of which lead us to seek out and take part in certain activities. Drives are believed to originate within a person and may not require external stimuli to encourage behavior.

Motives, on the other hand, are primarily driven by social and psychological mechanisms, such as work, family, and relationships. They include factors like praise and approval.

INtrinsic and extrinsic motivation

Motivation can be intrinsic (arising from internal factors) or extrinsic (arising from external factors).

Intrinsic:arise from within the individual, such as doing a complicated crossword puzzle purely for the personal gratification of solving a problem.

Extrinsic:arise from outside of the individual and often involve rewards such as trophies, money, social recognition, or praise.

In reality, our motivations are often a mix of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and the nature of the mix can change over time.Sometimes, intrinsic motivation can diminish when extrinsic motivation is given—a process known as the overjustification effect. This can lead to extinguishing the intrinsic motivation and creating a dependence on extrinsic rewards for continued performance.

Motivation v/s emotion

While motivation and emotion can be intricately linked, they are two fundamentally different things. Motivation describes the wants or needs that direct behavior toward a goal; in contrast, an emotion is a subjective state of being that we often describe as a feeling. Emotion and motivation are linked in several ways: both influence behavior and can lead us to take action, and emotion itself can act as a motivator.

The need to understand motivation

So at the end of this article,lets see what is the use of understanding the concept of motivation.Understanding motivation can:

Help improve the efficiency of people as they work toward goals
Help people take action
Encourage people to engage in health-oriented behaviors
Help people avoid unhealthy or maladaptive behaviors such as risk-taking and addiction
Help people feel more in control of their lives
Improve overall well-being and happiness

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Music Therapy

Did you ever feel that therapy involves talk by a psychologist and nothing else could come under the domain of therapy?If your answer is yes,Then you are wrong!!Well times have changed my reader~

Therapies have come a long way to incorporate other clinically approved methods such as animal assisted therapy,food therapy,aroma therapy etc.Music Therapy is one clinically developed program by psychologists to assist speedy healing of their clients.In this blog,the readers would be introduced to the world of Music therapy.So lets get started!

WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.It is is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music.

Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives.This therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas especially emotional rehabilitation.

history

You all will be shocked to know that both world wars were the trigger that initiated the development of this therapy.During and after both World Wars, doctors and clinicians began to realize the powerful effects that music has on the healing process and requested that professional musicians be hired by the hospitals.This therapy first got officially recognized in the Michigan state university of the United States of America.Ultimately,The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) was formed which focuses on creating more awareness about this wonderful therapy.

BENEFITS

Music therapy can benefit many individuals. The diverse nature of music means it can be applied in the treatment of concerns both physical and psychological.Since music can evoke positive emotions and improve brain health,Music therapy is said to manage and alleviate symptoms of mental health concern such as Depression, Mood issues,Anxiety,Schizophrenia,Substance abuse,Autism,Personality issues,Insomnia,Dementia etc.

In addition,Music therapy can improve the social,cognitive,emotional and motor functioning.This therapy was also effective in controlling patient’s situation in Alzheimer’s,Cancer and Hypertension.

Music therapy is frequently administered to reduce stress levels and pain perception of females in labor.This novel therapy has also been linked with improvements in self-esteem, self-concept, verbal communication, prosocial behavior, socialization skills, group cohesion, and coping skills.

Limitations

Even the most beautiful things have flaws,and so has music therapy.One of the major drawback is that this therapy cannot be used as a stand-alone therapy.The music therapy is also known as music assisted therapy implying it’s sole purpose is to assist the main therapy applied by the clinician on the client to produce fast results and relief.

Also,the music therapy like all other therapies is individualized.This is not a major drawback but should be kept in mind before going in for this option.All individuals are unique and so is their taste in music.Thus the therapist has to do additional tests to see which type of music and musical instrument works better for the client.

ALWAYS REMEMBER,WHERE WORDS FAIL,MUSIC SPEAKS…..

Thus in short we need to know that music therapy is a wonderful form of therapy which strengthens an individual and increases his/her quality of life.Choose Music for a better Life!

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Stay Knowledgeable!

Non Conventional Careers-Science Stream

Medical and Engineering are most sought after courses after 12th Science in India.Parents and the society are the major contributors to this mentality in our country. Thousands of students flock examination centers to write prestigious NEET/JEE irrespective of whether they are interested or not.

Does this mean these are the only options available to students choosing the Science Stream?The Answer is NO.In Today’s advanced world there are plethora of career and course options for students to pursue and achieve success.In this blog we look at some of the prominent and promising non conventional career options in science stream.Lets get started!

1)PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologists study the complex ways that people think, behave, feel, communicate, and perceive the world around them. Some psychologists focus on clinical work with patients, while others devote themselves to researching the nuances of psychological behavior; in any case, psychology is a vast discipline, with numerous career options to choose from. Students who complete graduate-level psychology degrees have great job opportunities. An MSc degree may lead to jobs as research and clinical assistants, while a doctorate is a necessity for those who wants to work with patients in a clinical setting and also to move into a research or an academic position. Many degree programs allow students to focus on a specialty area, including child development, abnormal psychology, counseling, social psychology, and cognition.The opportunities in research under this field are limitless.Psychology is a hot subject in developed nations like The United States and The United Kingdom where this course is sought after and valued.

2)FORENSIC SCIENCE

Forensic science is the application of scientific knowledge and methodology to criminal investigations and legal problems. Forensic Science is a multidisciplinary subject, it encompasses various fields of science such as chemistry, biology, physics, geology, psychology, social science, engineering, etc.Forensic science is used every around the world to protect public and society, to enforce criminal laws and regulations and to resolve civil problems.Various universities in India offer certificate, bachelor and master courses in Forensic Science. After the master degree is successfully completed , then the student can even go for a Doctoral Degree course in Forensic Sciences.Jobs are offered in government as well as private sectors.

3)Agricultural SCIENCES

Agriculture as a field is not just about the traditional aspects related to farming and irrigation. The focus is now shifted to various other dimensions like Horticulture, Poultry Farming, Pisciculture, Dairy Farming, Agricultural Biotechnology,Agronomy etc. Agriculture is also being commercialized as proper attention is being paid to the marketing, distribution, and packaging of its output. It’s possible to pursue a postgraduate degree programme in agriculture related subject which will broaden the scope such as specializing in agronomy, soil sciences, horticulture, plant breeding and genetics, entomology, plant pathology, animal sciences, plant biochemistry, agriculture economics, biotechnology etc. Masters in various above listed Agriculture programs is a 2-year course.This course can be taken up by a candidate who holds a BSc degree in agriculture/ horticulture/ forestry from a recognized university with some qualifying marks.Job opportunities are available both in Government as well as Private Sectors.

4)Aviation industry

The aviation sector is one of the most attractive and best-paid sectors in the economy. In India, The civil aviation industry is a larges domestic market in the economy.The commercial pilot is one the most glamorous and most rewarding job in the Aviation industry. Apart from the theoretical knowledge, a candidate must have practical knowledge to become a commercial pilot. A Commercial pilot must train to get a Commercial Pilot license in order to secure a job in the aviation sector. A commercial pilot or Ferry Pilot will have many chances of getting placed in both Governments and Private Airlines & chattered flights.The interested candidate must be fluent in English,medically fit and must have learnt Maths and Physics in High School.

5)Visual communication

Visual Communication is a combination of illustration and graphic design from a marketing perspective with great emphasis on screen-based workmanship.It involves digital marketing and business identity design , logos, animation, photography, web design, illustration, packaging design, art direction, and most degrees will also have a theory dissertation. It contains all the information to help one become a Graphic Designer, with a scope that allows to to specialize with more flexibility than a degree in design.In short, visual communication is an amazing field with unlimited growth potential. They get hefty pay.Further, with experience, your earnings are bound to increase.

These are just a few options listed from a sea of options.The aim of this blog is to make readers aware that the bucks do not stop at Engineering or Medicine.There are umpty number of career options to choose from and succeed.Everyone can not find happiness within the conventional options imposed by the society.Times are changing and so should our mentality.Students should be encouraged to follow their passion and pursue courses they want.Sky is the limit!

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Stay Happy~

The Psychological Connection to Hobbies

Most of us have had a childhood interest or a hobby which was our favourite pastime. With not much to do all day, we would spend our time engaging in different unique and creative activities. Not only saving us from boredom, these hobbies have provided us with lot of benefits and shaped us into becoming what we are today.

Almost everyone had a favourite pastime activity which would keep us busy in our childhood. Starting from painting, doodling to collecting stamps, pebbles, train tickets and what not. When asked about their hobbies many people were found to narrate happy tales of their childhood. In today’s busy world where it is difficult to even take a day off from work, we tend to lose touch with our creative sides. Thinking about our childhood days makes us realise how long it had been since these hobbies were a part of our lives. Sports, music, crafts have all been pushed aside in adulthood by our busy schedules and responsibilities. In the midst of all these we have not realised how important these had been in shaping us and how amazing it would be to revisit these days by going back to those hobbies.

As children we had many different ways to spend our times. Some of us were into painting and crafts, some were into musical instruments, while some had the interesting habit of collecting stuffs. All these hobbies seem simple but studies show that there is a lot more to it.

There’s a lot of factual information about the importance of art in a child’s development. Researches show that individuals who have been into art and crafts in their childhood are found to be more expressive and have better communication skills. Experimenting with art makes children open to broader ideas and help them handle unexpected situations with ease.

Collecting is believed to be a psychological impulse. Collection is a historical practice and it ranges from stamps, books, tickets, coins to leaves and pebbles. People maintain the habit of collecting due to various reasons. Some collect due to an interest in the things that the collections represent, while others view collection as a pleasurable form of owning something. The different aspects attached with it makes the psychology behind it so interesting. It has been known that individuals who had the habit of collecting grow up to be careerist individuals in future. As the saying goes “An individual’s childhood is reflection of their life”. Collectors are also known to make better social connections and more friendships.

Individuals engaging with music from a very young age tend to enjoy musical instruments. Engaging with music makes us happy and lifts our spirits. Studies show that music improve our brain functions and it keeps the brain active. It has also been known that music helps in retaining information and develops memory. Children who have had such hobbies grow up to be smart individuals.

Google had encouraged its employees to devote 20 percent of their time to side projects of their interest. It was a very innovative decision on the part of the company and it yielded amazing results. It has been known that following this, employees have performed more productively in their work and have achieved more. There are innumerable ways in which hobbies help in one’s overall growth and development. Most of us have lost touch with these but we can surely try and revive those habits. In fact, discovering childhood hobbies can make our lives better and make us happier. It feels amazing to revive those countless memories we have with an instrument or a habit. This will also help us become more productive in our work. Investing one’s time in areas of interest alongside their career can yield incredible results and, in the process, will make us better individuals with a more holistic outlook towards life.

Personality Theories

According to the American Psychological Association,Personality refers to an individual differences in characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. The study of personality focuses on two broad areas: One is understanding individual differences in particular personality characteristics, such as sociability or irritability. The other is understanding how the various parts of a person come together as a whole.

So this blog will introduce the readers to some important theories used to describe personality.Let’s get started!

1) FREUD PSYCHOANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE:

According to Sigmund Freud Father of Psychoanalysis, an adult personality generally has three determinants: Id, Ego and Super Ego.The outcome of the combination of all the three determinants shapes an adult personality. Freud believed than an individual’s personality has three parts and thus is often called as tripartite personality.

Id:Irrational demands and urge.
Ego:Helps in fulfillment of Id after taking into consideration the reality.
Superego:Moral constraints of the individual.

Defense mechanisms play an important role in pushing unrealistic thoughts out of awareness. Stressful thoughts which are threatening to an individual’s survival should be pushed into unconscious mind to reduce anxiety through them.

2)ERIK ERIKSON:PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY:-

Erikson believes there are 8 stages in a person’s life and to enter into the next stage,a virtue has to be learnt from the previous stage and this leads to personality development.He focuses on different identity crisis in a person’s lifespan.As in

STAGE 1:Trust v/s Mistrust;Virtue:Hope

STAGE 2:Autonomy v/s Doubt;Virtue:Will

STAGE 3:Initiative v/s Guilt;Virtue:Sense of Purpose.

STAGE 4:Industriousness v/s Inferiorty;Virtue:Competence

STAGE 5:Identity cohesion v/s Role confusion;Virtue:Fidelity

STAGE 6:Intimacy v/s Isolation;Virtue:Love

STAGE 7:Generativity v/s Stagnation;Virtue:Care

STAGE 8:Ego Integrity v/s Despair;Virtue:Wisdom

3)CARL JUNG:INTOVERSION V/S EXTRAVERSION

Carl Jung established a theory, which saw universal types in human personality. The types categorized by Carl Jung are present in all of us. But, certain types are predominant over the normal mode of organizing our experience.Carl Jung also developed a theory of personality. His theory is one of the type theories of personality, as it involved typology of introversion and extraversion.There are 4 functions :Sensing,intuiting,thinking and feeling.

4)JULIAN ROTTER-LOCUS OF CONTROL

“Locus of Control.” For many people, their only exposure to the ideas of Julian B. Rotter is his concept of generalized expectancies for control of reinforcement, more commonly known as locus of control. Locus of control refers to people’s very general, cross-situational beliefs about what determines whether or not they get reinforced in life. People can be classified along a continuum from very internal to very external.
People with a strong internal locus of control believe that the responsibility for whether or not they get reinforced ultimately lies with themselves. Internals believe that success or failure is due to their own efforts. In contrast, externals believe that the reinforcers in life are controlled by luck, chance, or powerful others. Therefore, they see little impact of their own efforts on the amount of reinforcement they receive.

Thus we come to the end of the blog.This blog is aimed at introducing the readers to the world of personality analysis.However one must remember that human beings are complex and not one theory explains all the human behavior.The readers are requested to read more articles about the same and fill themselves with knowledge.

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PSYCHOLOGY

Brain research is the logical investigation of the brain and conduct, as per the American Psychological Association. Brain research is a multifaceted control and incorporates many sub-fields of study such territories as human turn of events, sports, wellbeing, clinical, social conduct and intellectual procedures.

Structuralism and functionalism have since been supplanted by a few prevailing and compelling ways to deal with brain science, every one supported by a common series of expectations of what individuals resemble, what is imperative to concentrate and how to contemplate it.

Therapy, established by Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) was the prevailing worldview in brain science during the mid twentieth century. Freud accepted that individuals could be restored by making cognizant their oblivious considerations and inspirations, therefore picking up knowledge.

Freud’s analysis was the first psychodynamic hypothesis, however the psychodynamic approach in general incorporates all speculations that depended on his thoughts, e.g., Jung (1964), Adler (1927) and Erikson (1950).

The exemplary contemporary points of view in brain science to embrace logical techniques were the behaviorists, who were prestigious for their dependence on controlled research center examinations and dismissal of any concealed or oblivious powers as reasons for conduct.

Afterward, the humanistic methodology turned into the ‘third power’ in brain science and proposed the significance of abstract understanding and self-improvement.

During the 1960s and 1970s, brain research started an intellectual insurgency, embracing a thorough, logical, lab-based logical methodology with application to memory, recognition, psychological turn of events, dysfunctional behavior, and significantly more.

Psychology intends to have the option to foresee future conduct from the discoveries of observational exploration. In the event that an expectation isn’t affirmed, at that point the clarification it depends on might should be reconsidered.

For instance, traditional molding predicts that if an individual connects a negative result with a boosts they may build up a fear or abhorrence of the upgrades.

Hate Binge And Chill

Over the last weekend, all I can notice on social media was Netflix’s latest docu-reality series, which was trending on number #2 “Indian Matchmaking”. People on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook were criticizing the show and the memes were being circulated, I am no fan reality shows but I was just curious to know what the fuzz is all about.

The show begins with a woman (Akshay’s mom) listing all the qualities, to a Mumbai based matchmaker- Sima Taparia, that she is looking for in her future daughter-in-law, and trust me when I say this that 10 minutes into the show and I am already hating it but I still watched 2 episodes in the same sitting. “I shouldn’t be watching this shit,” I say to myself but somehow, I finished all eight episodes of the show in a matter of hours within a day. The show is downright cringe-worthy. Sima Taparia, the narrator makes pretty nasty and mean comments, especially about girls who are ambitious, independent, and looking for a partner that would treat her as an equal. Such girls for Sima Aunty are stubborn, not-flexible, demanding, and difficult to find a match for; while on the other hand if a boy demands those qualities then it is normal. So much for the double standards. The show without doubts contains all the elements of a binge-worthy reality show- A man-child, who wants a wife like his mother, nosy mother, who blackmails by pointing to her high blood pressure the boy into marrying, a most probably closeted guy, an ambitious, career-oriented woman, a face reader, astrologers, life-coach, and US-based scenes. It is worth all the hate and I too watched it under the hate spell.

It happens to a lot of us that we get glued to television for such shows that we hate, those shows don’t make any sense, we make fun of them, get offended by them but we still binge them. But why does that happen? Why can’t we stop watching something that we do not like? According to psychology and communications experts, love and hate are 2 strong emotions and once our emotions are unleashed, whether it’s because we’re very attracted to something or very repelled by something if we feel strongly enough about it, we want to know more, we grow curious about it.

The same happened with Indian Matchmaking, I was annoyed by Sima Taparia and other problematic characters and it unleashed my emotions. I was furious when Sima Taparia said, “Indians don’t like lawyers as a daughter-in-law”, words like “flexible”, “compromise”, “tall”, “well-settled” were thrown around and I was screaming, “Why even bother getting married then?” at my TV screen when Sima Taparia said, “In India, marriages are breaking like biscuits” and thus her job is getting tougher. But with every episode I felt that I do want to know what is going to happen next in their lives, I might miss something and everyone is already talking about it. When there are no good options about what to do, we tend to do this like binge-watching a show that you dislike because you have developed an interest as it is more interesting than doing nothing.

When we start a show that we begin to hate, we think that we have wasted our time by start watching it in the first place and to compensate the lost time and effort we keep going on in a hope that we will get at least something out of it in the end. And eventually what happens is you dislike it more and more, you waste more and more money, and things generally just get worse.

But how do we stop this hate-binge? Well, psychologists suggest that turning off the auto-play is a good start, if you don’t like something in the first two episodes stop watching it then and there and if you feel peer pressure by the Social Media into watching the entire series because everyone else has, try to start a new series and then go back to the one you hated. I honestly would love to try this technique out because hate-binge just makes you feel guilty and nothing good comes out of that.

Interesting Psychological facts you wouldn’t want to miss

Psychology is the science of mind that includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as thoughts and feelings. It helps to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior.

Here are some interesting psychology facts that you wouldn’t want to miss:

The type of music you listen to affects the way one perceives the world.
Convincing yourself that you have slept well tricks your brain into believing it.
While it is true that money can buy happiness, studies show that after 49 lakhs per anum, the income does little in one’s happiness.
Being with happy and positive people keeps you happy.
90% of people say things in the text that they can’t say face-to-face.
Decisions of a person are more rational when thought in other languages.
Smarter people tend to underestimate themselves while ignorant people think they are brilliant.
People from 18 to 33 are the most stressed out. After 33 years, stress reduces.
Singing reduces the feeling of anxiety and depression.
The feeling of ignored by someone causes the same pain as that of an injury.
Some of us are too scared to be happy as they believe something tragic might happen after that.
Psychology says it only takes 4 minutes to fall in love with someone.
The more you hide your feelings for someone, the more you fall for them.
90% of times when someone says they have to ask you a question, you recall all the bad things that you have recently done.
No one born blind has ever developed the schizophrenic disorder.
Funny people or comedians are more depressed than others.
Whenever you cry in pain, the first tear always comes from the left eye, and in happiness, from the right.
People who oversleep tend to crave for it more.
When you’re single, all you’ll see are happy couples, and when in a relationship, all you’ll see are happy singles.
Closing eyes helps to remember things faster.
70% of your dreams carry secret messages that have more meaning and weight than our conscious thoughts
People who understand sarcasm well are good at reading people’s minds.
The way one dresses up often links to someone’s mood. Dressing well keeps a person happy and stable.
Pretending to not care is generally the habit of someone who cares the most.
Women with higher IQs have a hard time finding a partner.
A person with low self-esteem is the one more likely to criticize others.
Acting as you own something makes you more probable to buy it.
Good liars are better than detecting the lies of other people.
People who swear a lot are better friends, loyal, and upfront.
The more you spend on others, the more you feel happy.
Men are not funnier than women, they simply joke more than women.
An intelligent person tends to have fewer friends than the average person. The smarter the person, the more selective they are.

Aren’t these facts interesting and enlightening? These facts are a clear indication of why things happen to us, why we behave a certain way, and justify our reactions for the same.

Lessons from life of a Samurai

The world of martial arts is truly a thrilling one, isn’t it? Those movies with ninjas, mighty warriors and samurais give me an adrenaline rush. The swordfights are gripping ones. But above all , the Samurais for some inexplicable reason have always fascinated me. No they aren’t mere characters we see on the screen or hear tales of.

They are a jewel in Japan’s glorious history. The real warriors, whose lives had a deeper meaning beyond protection of the royalty. A life built upon the philosophy of Bushido. (Righteousness, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honour, and loyalty). Their lives hold the secrets of becoming a real warrior.

Here are major takeaways from the life of a Samurai.

State of staying calm: The Samurais laid emphasis on cultivating a calm mind. A mind, wherein there is no room for anxieties and nor the fear of death. In the words of samurai Miyamoto Mushashi, “Most important battle is to overcome yourself”. A calm mind is the ultimate weapon against all your enemies. When the Samurais can stay calm in the face of death, then why can’t we in midst of a challenging situation? Controlling your mind is the first step towards becoming a modern day Samurai.

Turning obstacles into opportunities: The story of Samurai Minamoto No Tametomo is an inspiring one. Born with a genetic deformity, his arm was 6 inches longer than others. But did that stop him from becoming a Samurai? Absolutely No!! He turned this “perceived” shortcoming into his strength and went on to become one of the finest Samurai archers. So the next time you feel like whining how unfair life is, just shift your focus. Today’s weakness might turn out to be your greatest strength tomorrow. So stop complaining when life hands you lemons, instead focus on the lemonade.

Dedication: The Samurais had an unwavering dedication towards their duty. And mind you, unlike us their dedication wasn’t short lived. They committed their entire lives towards the single purpose of serving Japan. The legendary Samurai tales are a testimony of how these warriors could pierce an arrow through large rocks with sheer devotion. They were so resolute in their purpose that upon facing defeat they chose to commit Seppuku(die with honour rather than fall into the hands of their enemies). Honour and purpose weighed far more for a Samurai than his own life. Do contemplate when was the last time you were so dedicated towards your life, relationships and self growth? If not, then find your calling and chase it like a Samurai.

Growth Mindset: Remember that scene in karate Kid wherein Jackie Chan tells Jaden Smith to pick up his jacket a thousand times over as a part of his martial arts training?

The above picture carries the essence of Kaizen (Japanese philosophy of change for the better” or “continuous improvement.”) The Samurais were masters of the art of repetition. Learning new techniques and practicing them until they attainted perfection. They trained relentlessly, preparing themselves for battles. Even the master Samurais instead of being consumed by pride, always strived for becoming better than the previous day. And here we are, basking in the false glory of “knowing it all”. Remember, like desires there is no end to learning. So let’s learn, repeat and grow!

Comparison with self: Samurai Tshkara Bokuden quoted “My art is different from yours. It consists not so much in defeating others but not being defeated”. These words resonate deeply in the world today wherein we compare ourselves with colleagues, friends and random people on social media robbing our inner peace. We defeat the very meaning of our own existence in the process of comparison. So like Samurais let’s water the garden of our minds instead of letting the weeds of comparison to grow.

Acceptance towards life: The Samurais were mindful of their lives and actions. Unlike others, they weren’t caught in the quest for worldly success nor did they fear death. They accepted both happiness and sorrow with equal calm. They sought nothing outside themselves. The Samurais knew that there lies a powerful force inside us and it is the same force that drives our surroundings. Samurai Miyamoto Mushashi quotes “Get beyond love and grief. Exist for the good of humanity”.So instead of chasing material pursuits, let’s take a step towards becoming more accepting of our lives and the self.

As we come to an end, you must be wondering do samurais still exist? Honestly speaking, they don’t. The Meiji Emperor abolished the Samurai system. However, their cultural legacy is eternal and the lessons from the lives of Samurai still hold the same relevance as they did in the medieval times. But these Samurais weren’t born Samurais. They trained hard both physically and mentally to earn that honour. I believe, we’re all warriors fighting our own battles and we don’t needs armours or swords for that. Let’s simply imbibe these valuable lessons from the Samurais into our lives.

You ,my friend, don’t just be any warrior. Strive to become a “modern day Samurai”.

Math & Music…..

So people we all know what kind of goon mathematics was for us in our high school or was it just me who was not so vivid admirer of mathematics well I don’t know but mathematics as a subject has always been that boogey man under the beds who is always ready to haunt us for the rest of the twenty four hours in a day. So in a manner I always had a huge respect for mathematicians as I was somehow angry upon that subject so whenever I used to see a person being good at that subject I used to have knack to ask them how can they like a subject so salty and mean. So one fine day I asked one of my cousins from Harvard mathematics (sounds like serious affair right? well it was) that how do you do that and in a manner and you should know this that I’m doing my university degree with a major in physics without mathematics so there is no shame in that. So I asked her about that so she in her really deep and serious voice told me to find a rhythm and I asked,”what kind” she said, “music dumbo”. Well then I realized that it actually helps maybe not for all people but in most cases it does as such if you are an admirer of reggae or pop or acoustics it will help to catch a rhythm while you are solving a problem .

It helps because as our brain functions for solving a problem it’s always ready to acquire the probable solutions which are or can be the answer to the problem. Music as an entity has life in the melody which reverberates and flows through the lyrics of the songs so in a manner a mathematical comes to us as a puzzle with a guide that guide being the formulae and the puzzle being the problem whose solving is the calculation part which is in turn dependent on our practice and sometimes the gifts we have. So now the question is what problems and what music so it’s all from my experience which I’m gonna share with you so don’t apply it if you think it may not be so applicable for you but what’s the harm done in trying right? Now let’s start as such if there are problems of calculus,logic, accounting like compound interests, matrix and determinants it will not be so wise to use musics as that puzzle comes with a very rudimentary guide which is generally to start and then you are on your own focus and concentration but if it’s arithmetic, mensuration,trigonometry and algebra the songs and the music is quite helpful as in these cases a predefined formulae will help you get to the solution of a problem. Now let’s talk about musics I guess it’s best to avoid pop or reggae and even your favorite music or your jam because generally when that plays we are focused upon music more than we are to the problems so best choice will be acoustics and piano covers maybe any maintained electronic DJ music also helps but if pop is your thing then go ahead. If you are still wondering why music helps it’s because of the singular most important reason that our brain should always think that we can do it and it’s easy so when you are solving a problem and it’s not happening and you are sweating your eyes out getting irritated about it’s possible solution the music helps to give a sense of calmness and peace so that you can give your brain a casual hint to focus upon problems and to get through it with patience and peace of mind. So yes nobody said math is difficult it definitely isn’t but it sure is damn is tricky so the trick to trick a trickster is to try giving it the impression that you have no worries to handle it, that it being the mathematical problems(trickster) and that key of no worries is music…….hakuna matata folks…..

Primary Groups

Secondary Groups

Reference Groups

Comparison of Different Types of Groups

Conclusion

References

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References

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Spend time with the right people

Create goals with others

Ask for feedback

Use your broader network

Be grateful

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How was it conducted?

What were the results?

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1. EGOISTIC SUICIDE

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Reasons that lead to Social Anxiety

Symptoms of Social Anxiety

BEHAVIOURAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYMPTOMS

Diagnosis of Social Anxiety

Treatment of Social Anxiety

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What is narcissism?

What is NDP?

What causes NPD?

What are the signs and Symptoms?

How to get help?

What treatment options are available?

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What makes someone Attractive?

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Types of job roles in psychology

Myths about career in psychology

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Conclusion

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Procrastinating — Being Unfocused and Stressed

Losing Money

Feeling Overwhelmed

1. Be Aware of It

2. Be Honest With Yourself and Others

3. Make a Quick Decision Regarding the Situation

4. Change Your Perspective

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Graphologists

Studies

Controversy

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SYMPTOMS

CAUSES

Impact

Management

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Drives and motives

INtrinsic and extrinsic motivation