As per criminal psychology, understanding human behavior is the key; Actions and emotions of the criminal for the victim before, during, and after the incident. It has been established that, it is almost impossible to pinpoint the exact reason for the crime before/after a time gap. The timing of a crime and its context helps in understanding the hidden motive. Behavioral analysis in relation to time helps in finding common patterns and criminal traits like antisocial lives, frequent violations of laws, manipulation & fraud, and aggression. Criminal behavior is strictly psychological and it can kindle its fire during early childhood. There have been so many cases of children and adolescents committing felony crimes at an early age. The numbers are extensive and hence, there is a legal term in the court of law for such personalities i.e. Delinquents. Further classified, criminals between 16-18 years of age are called Juvenile Delinquents. As defined by the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Act: “A delinquent child is one who has violated any law of the Commonwealth or ordinance of the city; a child who by reason of being wayward or habitually disobedient, is controlled by his parents, guardian, custodian, or legal representative; a child who is habitually truant from school or home; or a child who habitually so deports himself as to injure or endanger the morals or health of himself or others”. 

The court of law recognizes age and our brain. Beyond the generic traits, there are specific factors that outline criminal minds to a greater extent and each factor has intricate details on the basis of age, sex, society, designation, economic pursuit, and numerous others. Following is a brief account of factors related to criminal activities –

 Factors:

Biological Factors: According to a study, it is found that genetic structure is responsible for a person to commit a crime. Example: During pregnancy, a child may absorb some criminal traits or may experience a traumatic event through his/her mother. A child can even pick up influences from movies, songs, social media content that the mother consumes. Some medication drugs are given to the mother during can also have adverse effects on the development of the child. These are environmental influences that settle in the subconscious of the child in subtle or dark ways.

Social Factors: Geography and society play a really important role. A person grown up in a colony of criminals has greater chances of becoming one. In India, Punjab being the drug capital absorbs thousands of criminals into a prolific business and devious crimes. Similar is the case with a person living among militants – to stay at bay is a difficult call. Other social issues like drug abuse, child abuse, sexual/physical assault shape the mind of a criminal slowly but deeply.

Family Disruption: Every family has some disputes which affect the personality and social behavior of children as well as adults. This slows down the growth of family members and negative emotions tend to strengthen criminal behavior.

Economic Aspect: It is often brought to our notice that poverty may lead to criminal activities. A large number of families are living below the poverty line and when aspirations and desires are not met, an individual may turn astray. Another important aspect is the lack of education and awareness in poor families, which leads to corruption and other criminal offenses.

In fine line differences, there can be hundreds of possibilities for a person to turn criminal and commit an inhumane crime. The entire weight of research in terms of criminology and criminal behavior has been done based on studying actions and reactions. Hitherto, this has served as a datum for further research until neurology gives different angle to the studies; A highly advanced examination of the physiology of the human brain to understand its link to criminal activity. The new advancement of technology has helped in determining physiological changes in the human brain that occur during different circumstances. In a study conducted by Dustin Pardini, Ph.D., University of Pittsburg (Miller, 2014), it was found that the amygdala of a 26-year-old person swells in size three times its normal size when he is aggressive or violent. The amygdala plays an important role in the human brain as it controls fear, aggression, and social interactions. But the brain is still greatly unexplored and the question of brain size with the criminal mind shall remain intact.

Criminal activity and the measure of its severity depends on many factors. There cannot be a list of solutions or a docket of policies to get rid of crime, because there is no one-stop-shop for such complexities. Progress has been made but there are so many other avenues still waiting to be explored. In today’s time of advanced technologies, it is possible to look into someone’s brain even when he/she is alive, but that is gravely risky. These are probes of scientific fields that are continuously working to understand and solve human problems. But we must practice caution and not strive to find generic solutions because the human brain is not simple and definitely not generic. On a simple note; “Not every aggressive person is criminal and not every criminal is aggressive”. The behavior of individuals depends on different situations and their circumstances.

The post Oh Criminal! What you do think? appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

When one person does something unpleasant in an online capacity, to another on purpose, a couple of times, with the intention of upsetting the other person, it is called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can occur through social networking sites (such as Facebook or Instagram), or even text messaging or email. Cyberbullying has been a problem for a long time. One in four young people will experience cyberbullying at some time in their life. Because cyberbullying is constantly evolving as a result of new information and telecommunications platforms. There is disagreement among researchers that study cyberbullying on the best terminology to use.

The negative effects of cyberbullying can be physical, psychological, or academic in nature. While the cyberbully/ victim category bearing the brunt of the burden. Cyber victims have higher rates of depression and anxiety, as well as refusal to attend school and declining academic performance. These students are also more likely to report headaches, stomachaches, bedwetting, and a variety of other psychosomatic complaints.

The nature of cyberbullying varies by gender; girls are more likely to post hurtful comments online. Whereas boys are more likely to post hurtful pictures or videos online. According to the Cyberbullying Research Centre in the United States. There are numerous reasons why the dysphoric outcomes of cyberbullying differ from and potentially exceed those of traditional bullying. Computer-based communications.

For example, are much more permanent than verbal responses since they are retained in websites, internet archives, search engine caches, and user devices; it is easier to make hurtful, humiliating, or endangering statements on the Internet due to the comparative difficulty in accurately detecting the misbehavior and offending party, proving or verifying the act of wrong doing because of the ubiquity of computers and cell phones, as well as the “always-connected” lives that today’s adolescents lead, Internet victimisation is omnipresent beyond the school, playground, or neighbourhood; the youth is increasingly adopting new communication mediums and devices, and as a result, the pool of alternative offenders and victims is increasing rapidly (Hinduja 2010).

In the Indian context, the risk of cyberbullying is increasing year by year as a result of increased access to technology, low-cost internet plans, and politicians zealously pursuing and pushing the dream of “Digital India,” making its assessment and prevention even more urgent. The vast majority of the population now has access to the Internet via a computer, a tablet, or, more commonly, a mobile device. Our children and teenagers are the most vulnerable members of this population, as they are being thrown into cyberspace before they are psychologically capable of making sense of it.

According to Microsoft’s Global Youth Online behaviour Survey, India ranks third in cyberbullying, with 53 percent of respondents, mostly children, admitting to having experienced online bullying, trailing only China and Singapore (Anuradha Shetty, 2012). Children and adolescents are naturally inquisitive and, more often than not, more technologically competent than adults. The majority of these children who are exploring the Internet are not old enough to detect or understand the risks and consequences of their own online behaviour.

Psychological Impact of Cyberbullying:

Cyberbullying may have serious consequences for kids, including anxiety and PTSD, especially if they are susceptible to mental health concerns. A nasty remark, a hateful comment, an embarrassing photo or video, pranks, spreading rumors, pretending to be someone else, threatening messages or phone calls are all examples of cyberbullying.

While some of these activities might seem harmless, children and teens who fall prey to these might suffer from grave mental health issues. (Nixon, 2018) Cyberbullying, unlike traditional bullying, which is frequently limited to school and known bullies, can happen at any time of day or night and is conducted by anonymous sources.

This makes it more violent, at times, and vicious. The intensity of the consequences of victimisation might vary depending on the type of victimisation. According to one study, harassment experienced via text message or phone call was more harmful than harassment experienced via online images and posts. Unsurprisingly, a significant source of stress in young people’s life is cyberbullying. Studies show that 32% of kids who experience cyberbullying say they have experienced at least one indicator of stress. They might even feel responsible for being a victim of cyberbullying. Children are aware that once something exists, it will always exist. They may feel humiliated, exposed, and overwhelmed. When someone cyberbullies, they could send a lot of people insulting postings, mails, or SMS. (Extremera 2018)

Social Impact:

Schools may exclude and scorn children who are victims of cyberbullying. People frequently feel alone and isolated as a result. The importance of friendships at this age makes this more unpleasant. However, for many children, using these devices is the most significant means of communication. Turning them off typically means cutting them off from the rest of the world, making them feel more isolated. (Alavi et al,2017)

Emotional Impact:

Many cyberbullying victims will experience anger as a result of their experience. In fact, studies suggest that anger is the most typical response to cyberbullying (followed by being upset and worried). Unfairly treated children may prepare to avenge themselves. Aside from the potential for conflict, this is risky since it can trap them in the bully-victim cycle. It is sometimes more difficult said than done to forgive a bully, even if it is generally preferable than taking revenge. Speaking with a counsellor or therapist who can show them how to channel their wrath in healthy ways may be helpful for a youngster who is upset by cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying victims frequently struggle to feel safe. They may feel helpless and vulnerable. These ideas typically arise because via a computer or mobile device, online bullying can invade their home at any time of day. They no longer have a safe haven to flee to. Cyberbullying can feel like it’s all around you if you’re a victim. Although some cyberbullies choose people they know and have no issue identifying themselves. Some targeted teenagers might not be aware of the person responsible for their pain. (Ybarra et al, 2007)

Academic Impact:

Bullying causes them to regularly miss school far more frequently than other children. They might skip class to avoid being cyberbullied by other students or because the remarks they heard were degrading and embarrassing. As a result of their inability to focus or study, their grades can decrease. In rare circumstances, children may stop attending school altogether or lose interest in pursuing a post-high school degree. Cyberbullying victims have been known to damage themselves in some way as a result of their overwhelming feelings. 

For instance, some persons may burn or slash themselves as a form of self-harm. Bullying and self-harm have been related in several studies. Cyberbullying also makes people more likely to commit suicide. Teenagers who experience peer bullying on a regular basis through text messages, instant messaging, social media, or apps may feel hopeless and think that the only way to end their suffering is to commit suicide. As a result, individuals can fantasise about dying to get away. (Andrea Baroncelli, 2014)

Prevalence:

Despite the fact that popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter have minimum age requirements for joining. There are many children join these platforms by misrepresenting their age. Primarily because these platforms do not have any stringent guidelines for the age limit of joining. The Intel Security Teens, Tweens, and Technology Study released its findings in 2015 after performing in India over a five-year period, and found that 81% of kids between the ages of 8 and 16 actively engage on social media. Before the age of 13, nearly 77 percent of these children had a Facebook account. Almost 22% of these children, or one in every five, are victims of online abuse (Shruti Dhapola,2021). These 2015 figures are concerning, and we can only speculate on what they might be now.

Indian parents typically warn their children about strangers on the street. However, individuals hardly ever do so or even think to be concerned about it, despite the critical necessity to apply the same strategy to online behaviour. Cyberbullying has gained international attention as a result of an increase in reports of cases involving self-harm and suicide as well as distressing media headlines like “Two preteens arrested for cyberbullying after student kills herself.”

For example, mainstream Australian politicians are putting ideas for an “anti-cyberbullying taskforce” on the national agenda. The real-time debate about policymaking and guidelines to combat cyberbullying is taking place in parliament. According to one theory, the more people who witness an emergency crime, the less likely any of them will feel obligated to respond. The Bystander Effect is yet another name for it. In the case of cyberbullying, hundreds to thousands of people may regularly witness bullying or harsh criticism online but fail to intervene.

Furthermore, just as most social media platforms use social analytics to create algorithms that estimate user age, gender, and political leanings. There are actual mathematical algorithms to detect antisocial behaviour, bullying, or harassment online. These algorithms employ simple parameters to assess the content (words like “bitch,” “hate,” and “die”), direction, interval, and frequency of bullying. In order to assess whether a kid is being cyberbullied, law enforcement organisations, schools, and parents can utilise this strategy. In addition to bullying children, cyberbullying also frequently targets adults.

Cyberbullies, also known as trolls on the internet, who operate anonymously, have the ability to abuse and harass a person without fear of repercussions. Politicians, celebrities, and sportsmen are frequently the targets of cyberbullying, which upsets them as they report. However, there are no clear laws or regulatory guidelines in place to address this complex issue. Mainstream national TV channels are recognising the importance of this issue. In today’s world and are launching campaigns and programmes such as “Troll Police.” (Mitchell and Hoff, 2009).

The post Cyberbullying and its Impact on the mental health of Youth appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

“Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.”

Most Frequently Asked Questions on Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud is a notable, but controversial figure whose contributions laid the foundations for further growth in the field of Psychology. He was born on 6 May 1856 as Sigismund Schlomo Freud to his Jewish parents at Freiberg (now known as Příbor in the Czech Republic). He was an Austrian Neurologist whose work in the late 19th and early 20th century significantly influenced the understanding of the human mind. He pioneered Psychoanalysis, which suggests a relationship between human behaviour, and unconscious memories, thoughts and urges. Sigmund Freud is commonly known as the Father of Psychoanalysis. His theories continue to be followed by many psychologists today.

Read More: What are the Techniques of Psychoanalysis?

Early Life and Education:

Sigmund Freud was the eldest of eight children of his parents, Jakob Freud and Amalia Nathansohn. When Sigmund Freud was born, the family was struggling with finances and lived in a rented room. His father, who was married twice before, had two grown children, Emanuel and Philipp, from his first marriage. In his childhood, Emanuel’s son, John, and Sigmund were inseparable playmates.

Read More: 5 Most Famous Psychologists  

Although both of his parents were raised in orthodox Jewish households, they didn’t force any religious beliefs onto their children. While Freud grew up to become Atheistic, he remained true to Jewish culture. In the year 1859, the family had decided to immigrate. They spent a year in Leipzig, before moving to Vienna in 1860. At the age of 9, Freud entered a prominent German Grammar High School, Sperl Gymnasium. In 1873, he graduated from the Matura (Secondary School Exit Exam) with Honors.

Read More: Life of a Psychologist: Career, Challenges and Responsibility

Freud, being deeply interested in language and literature, could speak English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian and Spanish. He continued his education at the Medical School of the University of Vienna. Freud’s interest in medicine emerged from his fascination with the image of a scientist as a truth seeker. Sigmund Freud obtained his medical degree in 1881, focusing on physiology and neurology. Later in life, Freud returned to the research that initially caught his attention in the field of medicine.

Career Beginning:

After receiving his degree, Freud took up a junior position at the Vienna General Hospital, where he worked with physician Josef Breuer. This is when his interest towards psychology was truly sparked. Breuer introduced Freud to the case of Bertha Pappenheim, now popularly known as Anna O. The ideas emerging from this case fascinated Sigmund Freud enough to make him devote his career to developing these ideas. Early in his career, Freud looked at neurological aspects of mental disorders, with a special interest in Hysteria. Breuer and Freud also co-authored the book ‘Studies on Hysteria’, which was later published in 1895.

Read More: Hypnosis Therapy: Introduction, Uses and Risk

In 1885, Freud went to Paris for a three-month fellowship under Jean-Martin Charcot, where he learnt about hypnosis. After returning to Vienna in the following year, Freud started his medical practice, focusing on brain and nervous disorders. Here, he explored the therapeutic applications of Hypnosis, before concluding that it was an inefficient method for him to achieve the desired results.

He then focused on an approach to therapy that involves talking to the patient. The method of talking to patients encouraged patients to unwrap their unconscious minds to let go of the emotions repressed. This came to be known as the ‘talking cure.’ This element of talking built the foundation for Freud to develop what is known today as Psychoanalysis.

Psychoanalysis:

Freud’s most significant contribution to Psychology is his theory of Psychoanalysis. With many key concepts, this school of Psychology argues that behaviour is based on unconscious motivation that is rooted in one’s childhood experiences.

The Unconscious Mind:

Freud argued that the mind consists of the conscious, preconscious and unconscious. The unconscious mind refers to those forces that are inaccessible to awareness. In this part of the mind, memories and desires are suppressed. When there is a problem in a person’s unconscious mind, effects are reflected in their behaviour and their ability to regulate emotions.

Read More: The Unconscious Mind, and its Relation to Mental Health

Structural Model of Personality:

Personality, according to Freud’s theory, is said to be governed by id, ego and superego. Id, also known as the pleasure seeker, acts on impulses and biological urges. It is primary to one’s personality and is present from birth. The superego or the regulator imposes moral values and norms on an individual. It emerges around five years of age. The ego, the executive negotiator, maintains a balance between the two as it works on the reality principle, controlling a person’s actions. The ego develops before the superego between the ages of one to three.

Stages of Psychosexual Development:

Freud proposed that a person goes through five stages of psychosexual development. He has attributed a psychological task to each stage. These tasks need to be completed to ensure proper development. If not, the individual remains stuck at the stage till the conflict is resolved. This is known as fixation. Each stage is also said to have an erogenous zone, which refers to the body area that is sensitive to stimulation at each stage. Read more in-depth about this topic: Freud’s Theory of Psychosexual Development

• Oral Stage: 0 to 18 months; the erogenous zone is the mouth; signs of fixation include nail biting, excessive drinking, etc.
• Anal Stage: 18 months to 3 years; the erogenous zone is the anus; signs of fixation include overly organized (Anal- retentive) or very messy (Anal- expulsive)
• Phallic Stage: 3 to 5 years; erogenous zone is phallus; signs of fixation include
• Latent Stage: 6 years to puberty; erogenous zone is repressed sexuality; signs of fixation include exhibitionism or sexual aggression.
• Genital Stage: Puberty to lifetime; erogenous zone is genitals; signs of fixation include development of sexual perversions.

Freud has also talked about the Oedipus complex, which can develop in the phallic stage. According to this theory, a child views the same-sex parent as a rival, while experiencing possessiveness towards the parent of the opposite sex. The rivalry towards the parent of the same sex comes from the feeling that they will steal the child’s share of affection from the other parent.

It is named after the Greek hero, Oedipus, who unknowingly married his mother after killing his father. Using this theory, Freud also explained Castration anxiety. He said that a male child in the phallic stage is likely to fear that his father might eliminate the threat he poses by castrating him.

Defence Mechanisms:

These are the tools used by the unconscious mind to avoid painful memories by altering reality. These were further developed by his daughter, Anna Freud.

• Regression: Hiding unacceptable impulses from conscious awareness.
• Denial: Not letting painful reality enter the conscious awareness.
• Projection: Attributing your unacceptable feelings to someone else.
• Displacement: Redirecting the emotional responses to a less threatening target.
• Reaction Formation: Changing unacceptable feelings to the exact opposite.
• Rationalization: Going back to the behavioural patterns of an earlier developmental stage.
• Sublimation: Offering an acceptable reason for an unacceptable action or attitude.

Read More about the Defence Mechanism in depth.

Free Association:

Freud developed this technique of psychoanalysis aiming to resolve repressed conflicts. It took him six years to develop this method. He saw it as a replacement for hypnosis. His main focus while developing this technique was to overcome the issues of transference (of feeling from one person to another), projection (of one’s qualities on someone else) and resistance (to certain feelings and memories).

According to Freud, this method gives complete control to a person to examine their thoughts. This technique encourages you to speak or write down all your thoughts. It doesn’t necessarily have to be coherent and can jump from one memory to another. The aim is to reveal associations that might not have come forward.

Read More: 15 Women psychologists Who made their contribution to the field

Freudian Slip:

Also known as parapraxis, Freudian slip is what you would describe as a slip of the tongue. During this phenomenon, you say something that you did not mean to. According to Freud, these slipups can be traced back to your unconscious desires. These are things that you feel but you haven’t realized. In most instances, these slips can be traced back to repressed sexual urges.

Case Studies:

Freud used many of his case studies as a means to obtain evidence that supported his theories. A lot of his case studies were based on people who approached him in his clinic in Vienna. One of the first famous cases that he was associated with was that of Anna O (Bertha Pappenheim), who was a patient of Josef Breuer. Although Freud never treated her himself, discussions with Breuer led him to believe that her symptoms resulted from repressed memories. This formed the basis of Psychoanalysis.

The case study on Dora (Pseudonym for Ida Bauer) looked at her symptoms of Hysteria (coughing and aphonia) as a manifestation of repressed sexual desires and conflicts of the unconscious. Freud suggested that the Oedipus complex played an important role. Looking into a couple that was close to the family, he made note of their impact on Dora’s symptoms.

He suggested that her coughing was related to her father and Frau K. Dora rejecting Herr K’s advances shows her unconscious resentment towards her father. Freud’s focus on sexual interpretations of the case was highly criticized. There are arguments about his personal bias affecting the interpretation of this case. Although there are many limitations, this case is a famous part of psychoanalytic literature. Now let’s look at one of Sigmund Freud’s best-known cases in detail.

Little Hans Case Study:

This case study is about a boy named Herbert Graf (pseudonym, ‘Little Hans’) and his phobia of horses. Little Hans was the son of Freud’s friend, Max Graf. Freud didn’t directly treat Little Hans. He was treated by his father, who sent detailed letters of conversations and relevant instances to Freud. Sigmund Freud conducted only one session in person with Little Hans.

At the age of four, Little Hans had witnessed a traumatic incident of a horse carrying a heavily loaded cart and collapsing on the street. Since then, he began to develop a fear of horses, particularly those that carried heavy loads or wore blinkers. In a conversation with his father, he described two horses entering a room, one crumpled, and the other calling out to him while he took the crumpled giraffe away.

Little Hans also experienced sibling jealousy after the birth of his little sister. Since his mother’s attention was taken away by his sister, he expressed his wish for her drowning in the bath. His sister’s birth also made him curious about conception. Unwilling to explain the truth, Little Hans’ parents shared a traditional tale of stork birds delivering newborns in boxes. The boy also liked to sleep in his parents’ bed. He had a preoccupation with the male genital, which made his mother threaten him with castration.

Read More: Importance of Sex Education

Freud had already developed his theory of psychosexual stages by the time he encountered this case. He concluded that Little Hans was in the phallic stage. Freud believed that Little Hans was showing signs of the Oedipus complex. For instance, the crumpled giraffe represented his mother, whom he was taking away from his father, the other giraffe. Little Hans also described his fantasy of replacing his father and having children with his mother, reducing his castration anxiety. This belief was additionally supported as Little Hans called his father ‘grandfather’, replacing him as the paternal figure to earn his mother’s attention. Freud further explained his fear of horses by claiming that Little Hans associates the horse with his father.

When horses have blinkers on, the boy looks at it as his father’s glasses. Freud asked his friend to assure Little Hans that he is in no danger of castration and that he was loved by his father. Slowly, Little Hans started to overcome his symptoms and led a normal life. Freud’s use of the case study to support his theory was criticized. His way of obtaining evidence was questioned as the letters he received were from Little Hans’ father, whom the boy despised. This raised the question of the authenticity of the conversations mentioned in the letter.

Critiques and Controversies:

Freud’s work has faced a lot of criticism over the years. One of them that has persisted over time is the lack of verifiable evidence of the concepts he has proposed, such as the Oedipus complex. Moreover, his constant focus on sexual urges as a basis of human behaviour has led many people to be sceptical about his work and its validity.

In modern-day, critics argue that his theory of the unconscious mind and psychosexual stages overly simplifies the basis of human behaviour. His theories have also been subjected to criticism in terms of gender, implying the embracement of stereotypes. Another criticism faced by Freud’s theories is that they are highly influenced by his own experiences, making them subject to projection. Other than this, his focus on human behaviour as sexual urges has also led him to ignore social or cultural influences of behaviour.

Legacy and Influence:

It can be said without a doubt that Freud has left behind a legacy. While he has faced much criticism for his theories, questions have also been raised due to the lack of proper evidence regarding these theories. Freud’s ways of obtaining evidence were far from scientific methods, which is one of the first reasons his theories were subjected to scrutiny. Even to this date, Freud remains highly controversial.

Although his theories have lost their significance over time, Freud is revolutionary. He has had a lasting influence in this field. His core ideas were further explored by psychologists in conceptualizing theories and treating mental health issues. Freud’s followers agreed with a lot of his fundamental ideas. However, many adapted his approach to incorporate their own beliefs.

These psychologists are the Neo-Freudians. They disagreed with Freud’s emphasis on sexual desires, the negative light in which he viewed people’s nature, and the fact that his theories failed to consider other aspects of influence on a person’s behaviour. Some famous Neo-Freudians are Karen Horney, Erik Erikson, Alfred Adler and Carl Jung. While Neo-Freudian ideas have also lost a significant amount of relevance, they have contributed to the growth of psychology.

Read More: Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Personal Life:

Freud, in his early childhood, was inseparable from his playmate, John. However, the dynamics between the two was complex. John was the son of Emanuel, who was Jakob Freud’s child from his first marriage. This technically made Freud John’s Uncle. However, John was older than Freud. This meant that there was always a question about authority, creating a complication in power dynamics.

The two had a love-hate relationship as they were friendly but also confrontational. In the late 1890s, Freud conducted a self-analysis. Due to an early exposure to these complex dynamics, he reflected that his relationship with John set a pattern for all his interactions with male friends. Other than his relationship with John, Freud also experienced extreme jealousy after the birth of his younger brother, Julius. However, a year after his birth, Julius passed away. Freud suggested that guilt has always lingered with him since his wish of Julius’ disappearance was unexpectedly fulfilled. His relationships with people in his life have contributed to shaping his theories greatly.

In 1886, Freud married Martha Bernays in Vienna. The two had a total of six children. His daughter Anna Freud is well-known in the field of Psychology. Following in her father’s footsteps, Anna created the field of child psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud passionately worked his whole life to build his theories on psychoanalysis. He spent most of his life in Vienna. In 1923, he discovered the growth of an inoperable cancerous tumour that began in his mouth as a lesion. At his request, his friend and physician Max Schur administered morphine. A lethal dose of it became the reason for Freud’s death on 23 September 1939 in London, England.

Read More: Understanding Freud’s Personality Theory (1923) in the light of Indian mythological character

Quotes and Anecdotes:

Let’s look at some of Sigmund Freud’s own words to better understand the thought process behind his school of psychology.

• “The mind is like an iceberg, it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water.”
• “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.”
• “The conscious mind may be compared to a fountain playing in the sun and falling back into the great subterranean pool of subconscious from which it rises.”
• “The ego is not master in its own house.”
• “Dreams are often most profound when they seem the most crazy.”
• “Every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. His ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.”
• “Public self is a conditioned construct of the inner psychological self.”
• “Just as no one can be forced into belief, so no one can be forced into unbelief.”
• “The more perfect a person is on the outside, the more demons they have on the inside.”
• “Religion is an illusion and it derives its strength from the fact that it falls in with our instinctual desires.”

Summing Up

Sigmund Freud’s theories were shaped according to his own experiences in childhood. Freud pioneered psychoanalysis. He laid a strong argument for the formation of human behaviours. His theories helped the field progress not only by establishing psychoanalysis but also by influencing Neo-Freudians to contribute and bring new perspectives to Psychology. Freud is a notable figure to this date. However, he has faced a lot of criticism for his work.

Most people in this field would not cite Freud as a credible source today, but his theories and assertions have paved the path for many psychologists to establish their findings. Further, Freud’s theory of the unconscious mind cannot be denied, as it is still a part of the basis of many therapeutic interventions. Modern mental health care is built on theories that have established themselves from foundations laid down by Freud. Overall, it is fair to say that Freud’s work has decreased in its relevance today, however, he stands as a strong reference point in the field.

The post Father of Psychoanalysis: A Deep Dive into the Life of Sigmund Freud appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

Read More: The Psychology of Acting

It is safe to say that villainous characters have a certain allure. Today we explore if there is an explanation of why we are attracted to characters. The psychology behind villains and how they resonate with the general audience is an interesting take to ponder about, for sure! What Psychological Factors Make a Villain, The Villain? The psychological factors that contribute to the creation of a villain are often rooted in a combination of nature and nurture. Moral ambiguity allows villains to rationalize their actions, constructing justifications that align with their distorted sense of purpose. The anonymity often associated with villainy provides a psychological mask, allowing individuals to shed societal constraints and explore their darker impulses.

Read More: “Daddy Issues” What is it actually?

The Psychology Behind Attraction Towards Villains

Can there even be a scientific explanation for the eerie attraction towards villains? There is! Krause (2023) published a paper in the Psychological Science journal that reveals that readers and viewers come to like villains or they start becoming a likable entities when they share some sort of similarities (regards to traits or past or behaviour) with the readers or the viewers. It’s like being guided into a safety net. We can relate to the eerily darker side, which is against the norm in the real world and we don’t need to feel like our self-image or even our morals are getting misplaced and trained.

Read More: 8 Compelling Movies and TV Series That Explore Mental Health Themes

Creators of these villains make use of various psychological traits like Machiavellianism, apathy, narcissistic traits, and traits of a psychopath to catch the public’s eye. To make the villain more intriguing to the audience. Villains have those charming traits that we all admire. They are intelligent and they are confident. When they talk, they radiate an aura of power that is entrancing. They are the rebellion. They break away from the restrictive chains that social normativity offers and can raise questions on authority. These are all bolder, braver, and darker desires that a common individual cannot pursue.

We get drawn into the story of the villain because it provides us with catharsis. Catharsis was a term created by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who explained it as a release or purification of really intense emotions. By facing the villains on the page or the screen, individuals can face the stark reality of their fears on their own accord and they can also confront their inner demons (darker side) in a safe environment. Villains represent the darker chaotic side of our psyche. The one we do not wish to express openly.

Read More: Matthew Perry: The One where We lost Him

Lastly, what makes a villain, a villain? Behind the horrors of their crime, lies a human who has a story, a past. It serves as a reminder to us people that everyone is born human. Everyone can choose the path of a good person. They are villains because they are shaped by circumstances they have no control over. It’s a matter of nature vs. nurture. The attraction towards villains, for this reason, makes us also question the reality of empathy vs. reality and how closely they are interrelated.

Read More: Influence of Horror Movies on Sleep and Dreams

Power

Villains feel the need for power strongly. They may want to acquire power to compensate for their insecurities and their weakness. Their past must be shrouded with injustice and the anger towards it makes them seek the darker side for power. The need for power also arises because the villain has felt helpless in the past and they want to avoid that feeling in the future.

The need for power corresponds to the Jungian Archetype of Shadow. Villains represent our shadows, repressed darker and unacceptable desires and emotions. By taking an interest in the villain we can look into how complex the human psyche is.

Read More: Dark Humour: The Fine Line Between Comedy and Insensitivity

Traumatic Childhood Experiences

Taking an interest in villains helps us understand how the role of childhood experiences in shaping humans is so important. Trauma can have a powerful impact on someone and the villain can be a perfect example to understand the detrimental impact of it. The range and extent of the trauma can vary, from abuse to betrayal, it can alter or change the way you look at the world.

The intention of the villain many of the times is often triggered by the desire to take revenge. They destructively exhibit their emotions and anger. The inner turmoil they go through becomes of their trauma that seeps into the external world and they deal with it the only way they can. By becoming the villain. It corresponds to humans where we can be driven to do bad deeds and engage in negative behaviour because of our negative experiences.

Read More: The Spotlight for Mental Health: Understanding the Unique Stress Actors Face

Villains in India

India has a rich cinematic history with many iconic villains. These villains fall into a huge spectrum, and each of them is different from the others. Some villains are cunning masterminds who sit back and let their minions do all their dirty work, while others go to the protagonist’s house to kill them. These villains are not just the backbone of the storyline of movies. They don’t just exist to make the protagonist glow. They have their charm- and an undeniable one at that.

These villains have surely not gone unnoticed over time. In 1985, Filmfare Magazine featured a cover story on ‘The Many Faces of Villainy’ that was ten pages long. ‘Wanted—a villain for raping, looting and murder’ is a 1979 article that portrays the audience’s appreciation of antagonists in cinema. Tapan Kumar Ghosh wrote a book called ‘Bollywood Baddies: Villains, Vamps and Henchmen in Hindi Cinemas’. His book is an entertaining and detailed read of screen villainy. It discusses a large number of villainous characters and iconic cinematic moments that feature them, capturing the attention of the fans of negative roles that have made so many Bollywood movies a success.

As time proceeded, Nana Patekar became a well-known actor ruling the villains of the era. His character of ‘Anna’ in the movie ‘Parinda’ set new expectations from actors who chose the path of playing negative roles. Soon, through films like ‘Agnisakshi’, Nana brought the antihero character to the screen. This character blurred the line between the ‘heroic’ and the ‘villainous’, opening up this trend to other actors of his time. Recent years have brought to screen a more realistic antagonist.

These characters carry shades of grey with their humanity. They have brought attention to the motivation behind their actions- a backstory of the villain. The film series ‘Gangs of Wasseypur stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui, whose character had more dimension, catching the eye of the audience. Lallan Singh in ‘Yuva’, Langda Tyagi in ‘Omkara’, Vikram Bajaj in ‘Ajnabee’ and Yashwant Angre in ‘Khakee’ are some other characters with shades of grey. Today, film producers in India are exploring these various villainous portrayals in their films to engage the audience. While these are some portrayals of villains in Indian films, there are many more that can be explored.

Summing Up

Villains are rarely one-dimensional; they often possess a distorted moral compass that justifies their actions. This moral ambiguity creates a psychological space where the villain rationalises their deeds, believing their malevolent acts serve a greater purpose. Exploring this rationalisation offers insights into the flexibility of human morality.

The post From Gabbar to Voldemort: Why Villains Are So Important? appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

Read More: 15 Women psychologists Who made their contribution to the field

We can make better decisions regarding our ideas and projects when we experiment. People frequently make the error of taking their concept and running with it without verifying the underlying presumptions. We often imagine we know something when in fact we don’t know. Let’s talk about the AIM we write in an experiment- An experiment’s objective is its goal. It states what can be inferred from the experiment, to put it another way. “To see how light is affected by lenses and plates of glass of various thicknesses.” The goal needs to be one or two lines in length.

Types of Experiments

A. Field Experiment

A field experiment is a psychology research method that is conducted in an organic, real-world environment. In that the researcher modifies one or more independent variables and assesses the impact on the dependent variable, it is comparable to a laboratory experiment. In contrast, the subjects in a field experiment are not aware that they are being observed, and the researcher has less control over the unrelated variables.

Field experiments are a popular tool for researching social issues like persuasion, obedience, and altruism. They are also employed in evaluating the efficacy of interventions in practical contexts, like public health campaigns and educational initiatives.

B. Lab Experiment

In psychology, a laboratory experiment is a type of study where researchers modify one or more independent variables and then observe how those changes affect the dependent variable under carefully monitored circumstances. A laboratory experiment is carried out in extremely controlled settings where precise measurements can be made – though a laboratory is not always necessary. To decide on the location, timing, participants, and conditions of the experiment, the researcher employs a standard operating procedure. Random assignments are made to each group based on an independent variable.

C. Natural Experiment

In psychology, a natural experiment is a type of study where the researcher examines, without changing any variables, how a naturally occurring event or setting affects the dependent variable. Natural experiments take place in the participants’ daily (or real-life) environments; nevertheless, in these cases, the experimenter has no control over the independent variable because it happens in real life. Natural experiments are frequently employed to investigate psychological phenomena, such as the aftermath of natural disasters, policy changes, or social movements, that would be challenging or immoral to investigate in a laboratory setting.

10 Great Experiments That Contribute to Modern Psychology

1. Milgram’s Experiment:

In the Milgram experiment, a subject’s willingness to administer a certain amount of shock served as a proxy for obedience. Even though several of the subjects became quite anxious, upset, and hostile toward the researcher, they nevertheless obeyed instructions all the way through. As Milgram’s experiment is based on Obedience, let’s understand it with real-life examples- A youngster who complies with their parent’s wishes is an example of obedience in the real world. Another illustration would be a soldier adhering to a higher-ranking officer’s orders.

2. Standford Prison Experiment:

Standford Prison experiment was based on examining the effect of role-plays, labelling and social expectations on behaviour over two weeks. In this experiment, 24 subjects were selected and were paid $ 15 a day which was divided into prisoners and guards. Few were asked to play the role of prisoners and few were asked to play of guards. Guards were given mirrored spectacles that prohibited eye contact and were instructed not to physically mistreat detainees.

Read: Some Lesser Known Fields of Psychology

The experimenters received the prisoners after they had been “arrested” by real police and placed in a makeshift jail located in a campus building’s basement. Only the second day passed before the inmates rose in rebellion. Then, to control the inmates, the guards devised a system of punishments and penalties. Three inmates were discharged after the first four days because they were so traumatized. Several of the inmates experienced depression and disorientation during the experiment, while some of the guards became vicious and oppressive.

3. Bobo Doll Experiment:

Albert Bandura, a psychologist, conducted the ground-breaking Bobo doll experiment, a research on violence that showed youngsters could pick up skills by seeing adults behave. Children who saw an adult hitting the doll during their playtime with Bobo were prone to act aggressively as well. The kids kicked, pounded, and flung the doll in the air, much like their adult role models did. There were 3 stages for conducting this experiment; A test for delayed imitation; Aggression arousal; and Modelling.

Read: The Basics of Child Psychology

4. Little Albert:

This experiment showed that a small child may be trained to dread a neutral stimulus—a stimulus that the youngster had not previously shown any fear of. This result was also extrapolated to encompass additional animals or objects with comparable appearances.

5. Asch Experiment:

The results of the trials showed how much one’s own opinions are impacted by those of a group. Asch discovered that individuals were prepared to overlook the truth and provide a false response to fit in with the group. Shown that the influence of peer pressure on our conduct is more than previously thought. It was surprising that peer pressure could persuade someone to offer an answer that was wrong based on what they could see with their own eyes.

6. Halo Effect:

A sort of cognitive bias known as the “halo effect” occurs when our general perception of someone affects our feelings and thoughts about them as a person. The “physical attractiveness stereotype” and the “what is beautiful is also good” idea are other terms used to describe the halo effect. Example- Even though a student exhibits excellent academic performance and intelligence, an unruly attitude can lead an instructor to conclude that the student is not a good student due to his lack of behaviour.

Read: The Difference Between Psychology and Psychiatry

7. Classical Conditioning:

This experiment was demonstrated by Ivan V Pavlov. In this experiment, dogs were conditioned in a way that they would salivate with the arrival of food which was associated with the ringing of the bell.

8. Cognitive Dissonance Experiment:

The experiment of Leon Festinger demonstrated that people hold negative beliefs which lead to discomfort. He explained the concept of motivation to them which will help them to reduce their discomfort.

9. The Hawthrone Studies:

This experiment talks about the importance of social and psychological factors in the work environment as various workplace conditions impact the productivity of the employees.

10. Harlow’s Monkey Experiment:

This experiment tells us about the importance of social and emotional development. It was performed on Infant monkeys who preferred to have contact with a soft, comforting surrogate mother over a wire mother that provided food. This experiment shows how individuals or animals attract more where they have emotional or social support.

A scientific method for examining human thought and behaviour in experimental psychology. To test ideas and hypotheses about different mental processes and advance our knowledge of human behaviour, experimental psychologists employ rigorous research methods such as experiments. It also tries to modify factors that could result in behaviour to explain the actions of animals (including humans) and the functional arrangement of mental processes.

Experiments help in shaping the field of Psychology which provides insights into various cognition, social dynamics and human behavior. There were many changes in research practices and regulations, which tells us that these experiments have faced ethical concerns and limitations over the years.

The post 10 Great Experiments in the field of Psychology appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

A human being is a social animal that can’t exist without a society. Knowledge is one the basis of society and forming civilizations since ages. From the dawn of humankind to the medieval ages and till the modern 21st century human beings have changed a lot.

Through learning and acquiring knowledge throughout the centuries, we have come so far. Knowledge gathered by learned experiences inspires minds to create new ideas that further lead our generation in the future. The following article aims to explore the psychology of knowledge and how it affects our developmental process throughout a lifetime.

1. How knowledge impacts on our mental abilities

Cognition is defined as all the mental processes that place in the human mind. It means acquiring, processing, understanding, and using knowledge in our favor. Knowledge greatly influences our mental development in various ways throughout our lives.

A) Problem Solving:

With knowledge, we can improve our problem-solving skills in life. It is obvious that the more knowledge one has, the more information a person can use to form a solution to a problem in life. More knowledge helps develop mental strategies and helps form new unique approaches to solving complex problems.

B) Memory:

Knowledge is related to memory, vast knowledge allows us to rehearse information again and again and by learning new information every time, our brain develops a stronger memory to value that piece of information. Based upon our previous information new knowledge can further strengthen our base and help to boost our memory regarding different things.

C) Critical Thinking:

Knowledge helps gain deeper insight into basic information in life. The deeper the clarity about topics the clearer the information gets in learning. It helps us form enhanced thinking skills in life that cause us to differentiate between right and wrong sources of information, making informed decisions in life.

D) Creativity:

Knowledge enhances our learning capacity, boosts memory, and promotes creativity in our approach to things. Knowledge provides new ideas, thoughts, and concepts to flourish in the mind. We tend to learn how to combine our knowledge with new ideas while solving a problem or developing things. The creative approach in life is indicative of divergent thinking or thinking outside the box when our doing something.

2. Knowledge helps in regulating our Emotions:

Knowledge can greatly impact our emotions and emotional intelligence in life. As we continue to learn and grow, we humans develop a sense of intelligence. This allows us to promote harmonious interpersonal relationships and helps us find ways towards resilience.

A) Emotional Regulation:

Knowledge helps us to maintain our emotions and how to control them better. There are moments in our life that test our patience and tolerance with better Knowledge we can learn to cope with difficulties and methods to channel our emotions in a healthy manner. It allows us to understand feelings and thoughts better and prompts us to make rightful choices in accordance with our best results.

B) Empathy:

A wide range of knowledge about worldly affairs such as learning about diverse cultures, races, concepts about humanity, hardships of people, etc. can help us the power of empathy. Empathy is an important part of human emotions that shapes our behavior and makes us better human beings in society. It helps us understand the needs, thoughts, and emotions of others and how to channel our own emotions with respect to other people.

C) Emotional Resilience:

Knowledge helps to develop resilience in a person’s life. Emotional resilience is something people learn with age and experience and knowledge are another factor that helps in this. Experiencing negative experiences in life and dealing with challenges must be seen as an opportunity for personal growth. A better learning mindset equipped with knowledge can help to adapt to changes in life.

3. Knowledge helps in developing our identity:

Knowledge plays an important role in human development in terms of developing our identity in life.

A) Identity Formation:

Knowledge helps people to develop a better understanding of themselves and the world around them. It helps shape the perspective of a person and allows them to develop their own set of identities based on their learning.

B) Socialization:

As humans cannot survive without socialization and interaction with people knowledge helps build and support such interactions that stand as the base of a flourishing society. Forming good relations between nations and people is important for the development of society that is guaranteed with shared knowledge and values.

C) Lifetime of Learning:

Learning new knowledge is a lifelong opportunity. There can be no limit to knowledge in terms of age and capacity. Lifelong learning allows personal development and growth in life that goes on throughout our lifetime.

In the field of psychology, the relationship knowledge in the mind is multi-dimensional and dynamic. Learning and knowledge go hand in hand, learning improves knowledge and further strengthens it, and with knowledge, our multiple skills in life are enhanced. Knowledge is the cornerstone of civilization that supports all kinds of development in various fields such as technology, science, healthcare, lifestyle, etc. The pursuit of knowledge shapes and maintains our identity as a person, society, and the nation as a whole.

The post How Knowledge Transforms Our Life appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

How Indian culture plays a role in psychology?

Culture plays an obstinate role in colouring the psychopathology of various psychiatric disorders. However, some psychiatric Disorders are limited to certain specific cultures. These disorders are called culture-specific or culture-bound syndrome.

Culture-specific syndrome or Culture-bound syndrome is an amalgamation of psychiatric and somatic symptoms that are considered to be a recognizable disease only within a specific society or culture. There is no objective physical cause seen in these disorders.

As we all know, India is a country full of cultures, religions, languages. There are various values and beliefs in different cultures which makes one belief what is beyond reality.

In many cultures, such as, Hinduism,Islam,Buddhism,Jainism,Sikhism, there are different belief systems. As, in Hinduism people believe in so many gods, hence the customs are likewise; doing pooja every day, taking shower every day, not eating food without taking bath, not cutting nails on various days etc. Among Muslims also, there are various beliefs such as wearing hijab for girls etc.The belief system has made every individual and the whole society bound to think so much, that at times it poses strong influence, in terms of psychology.

1.Dhat Syndrome

The Dhat Syndrome is prdominently found in South Asian Countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In this syndrome, males face problem of premature ejaculation and sometimes complain of passing semen while urinating. The medical practioners view this words to refer to anxiety and hypochondrical concerns. According to them, this exhausts the suffering person and weakens their body. The patient usually presents with various somatic, psychological and sexual symptoms. Patient attributes it to the passing of whitish leak, believed to be semen (Dhat), in urine.

Dhat is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhatu’, meaning precious fluid. According to ancient Indian literature, there are 7 Dhatus described in the body. Dhatus are concoction of the body. It was believed that any disturbances regarding these, can cause physical and mental weakness. Whereas, Shukra is the word used for sperms in Sanskrit. This gives rise to the belief, that loss of excessive semen in any form e.g. masturbation, wet dreams and ejaculation is harmful. On the other hand, its preservation will lead to health and longevity. Thus, as a belief, precious and life-preserving properties of semen is deeply ingrained in Indian culture. This belief is further carried out into families explaining their children about it.It has also lead to prohibition of masturbation or considering it a sin in some cultures.

Possession Syndrome or “Maata Ana”

It is diagnosable under dissociative disorders. The patient is possessed usually by ‘spirit/soul/Matta’ of a deceased relative or some spirit. The possessed person speaks with a change in their voice, tone and audacity. Also, if the possessing soul belongs from the opposite gender, the suffeimg person behaves in that same way. It is usually seen in rural areas or in migrants from rural areas. You must have also seen the presentation of this syndrome in many movies like bhool Bhulaiya, exorcism etc.

Majority of these patients are females who otherwise don’t have any other outlet to express their emotions. It’s treatment include, careful exploration of underlying stress which precipitats the attacked possision which is also useful to decrease the secondary pains the patient is experiencing due to this syndrome.

For instance, there are many cases from rural areas where they were chanting god and suddenly they felt that some deity has got into them and they started acting as if there is someone inside them.

Culture constrained suicide

Cultural constrained suicide is a kind of suicide which was seen in ancient India.Where people used to commit suicide in terms of keeping their familial custom within standards.

Some of the illustrations are:

Sati Pratha: In Rajasthan India (1904). self-oblation by a widow on her husband’s pyre. According to Hindu mythology, the wife of Daksha was so overwhelemed at the demise of her husband that she sacrificed herself on his funeral pyre and burnt herself to ashes.

Since then it has come to be symptomatic of self-oblation by a widow.It was banned in India since 19th century.

Jouhar: In the 15^th century, Rani Padmavati of Chittoor among with hundreds of woman observed jouhar, even before the death of her husband to protect themselves from other religious men.

Santhara/Sallekhana: voluntarily giving up life by fasting unto death over a period oftime for religious reasons to attain God/ Moksha practised in Jain Community.

Koro

Seen in northeast states like Assam. Fear of genitalia retracting into the abdomen leading ultimately to death seen in both sexes. A person applies external retractors to the genitalia in the form of clamps, chains etc. to avoid it retracting back.It may occur as epidemics.

Jhin Jhinia: Characterised by bizarre and seemingly involuntary contractions and spasms with no physical cause.

Bhanmati Sorcery: In South India it is believed to occur due to psychiatric illness i.e. conversion disorders, somatization disorders, anxiety disorder,dysthymia, schizophrenia etc.

Suudu: A culture-specific syndrome of painful urination and pelvic “heat” familiar in south India, especially in the Tamil culture. It occurs in males and females. It is popularly attributed to an increase in the “inner heat” of the body often due to dehydration.

It is usually treated by the following:

1. Applying a few drops of sesame oil or castor oil in the navel and the pelvic region

2. Having an oil massage followed by a warm water bath

3. Intake of fenugreek seeds soaked overnight in water

Gilhari Syndrome: Feeling of small swelling on the body changing its position from time to time as if a gilhari (squirrel) is travelling in the body.

Others unnamed syndromes:

Priest syndrome:

Sndrome looks new as in various places people have kul gurus & personal priests where they suggests something and they believe and start doing that thing.

Eg. All superstitious behaviour  like throwing salt on the floor ,cutting of nails on the restricted days,washing hair on Wednesdays,purchasing pooja related things on certain days ,eating non vegetarian on certain days ,not doing pooja on certain day and feeling of apprehension that something bad might happen to them,using nazar utharna things like lemon and chilli ,tying black thread behind the cars,putting black mark or tikka,hitting people with hunters.

Even in some places of our country crime has been reported through these acts .

Our Indian Society plays an important role in genesis of some psychiatric disorders. As there certain sayings we might have heard from our parents ,priests ,grandparents that what we do is dependend on what we believe.

The post Indian Culture-Bound Syndrome appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

Hypnosis is a very authentic procedure that can be employed as a therapeutic tool, despite numerous myths and misconceptions about it. It has been demonstrated that hypnosis offers therapeutic and medicinal advantages, particularly in the treatment of anxiety and pain. According to some of the research, even the symptoms of dementia may be lessened by hypnosis. According to one definition, hypnosis is “a waking state of awareness (or consciousness) in which a person’s attention is diverted from his or her immediate surroundings and is consumed by his/her conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind. For the hypnosis to occur, the individual has to concentrate and immerse in their imagination. A hypnotic world is created by the physician and patient through the use of suggestions and their acceptance.

Our everyday ‘trance’ states include things like becoming immersed in a wonderful novel, driving down a familiar route without being aware of it, being in prayer or meditation, or engaging in a mindless or creative task. A state of trance can also be when we are in a ‘state of flow’. State of flow refers to being so passionately immersed in activities that we enjoy, like painting, reading, or writing, and completely lose the sense of time and location. Our conscious awareness of our surroundings and inner awareness exists on a continuum, thus even though one’s emphasis is mostly internal in these states, one does not lose all awareness of the outside world. One could think of hypnosis as a type of meditation that one can acquire to enter knowingly and purposefully for therapeutic reasons. Afterwards, suggestions are made vocally or visually with an eye toward the intended result. This could be done to control drug side effects, reduce anxiety by accessing tranquillity and relaxation, or alleviate pain or other symptoms. Hypnosis is typically a calming experience that can be quite beneficial for a patient who is tense or worried, depending on the recommendations made. The main advantages of hypnosis, however, are the enhanced power of encouragement and access to mind-body connections or unconscious thought processes. While hypnosis is not a therapy in itself, it can be a means of making therapy delivery easier, much like how a syringe makes medicine distribution possible.

Hypnosis can assist patients in believing in and experiencing what they might be able to accomplish, but it cannot make the impossible feasible. Since the beginning of human civilization, hypnotic states have been used for healing. But because they can be abused for so-called entertainment, and because hypnosis has been portrayed in the media as a mysterious, magical state that is ostensibly beyond the control of the hypnotized subject, many medical professionals are sceptical of it. However, recent developments in neuroscience have made it possible for us to start understanding what might be happening when someone enters a hypnotic state.

There is growing evidence that hypnosis can be used as a helpful tool to help patients and healthcare professionals manage a variety of conditions, particularly anxiety, and pain.

Brian Weiss in his book ‘Many Lives, Many Masters’ describes how he treated his patient with intense anxiety, phobias, and fear by regressing her to earlier stages of life. While no conventional method could cure her mental state, hypnosis served like a knight in shining armour to better her condition. What was most amusing about it was that she not only regressed to earlier stages of her current life but also deliver conscious instances from her previous lifetimes that caused her pain and trauma. The collective pain and trauma of her many previous lives had accumulated anxiety and phobias in her current life. The book vividly delivers past life experiences and after-death experiences through his patient’s consciousness. Dr. Brian Weiss, who is a conventional psychotherapist, was surprised and dubious when his patient started talking about past-life experiences that seemed to be the cause of her ongoing nightmares and panic episodes. But as she started receiving communications from “the space between lives,” which contained startling disclosures about Dr. Weiss’s family and his deceased son, he began to lose faith. He was able to heal the patient using past-life therapy and enter a new, more fulfilling stage of his profession. However, there are many critics of the claims of Dr Brian’s hypnotherapy sessions with his patient as well.

Three types of hypnosis are typically used. To create a hypnotic state, guided hypnosis employs instruments like music and recorded instructions. This kind of hypnosis is frequently used in websites and apps for mobile devices. Second, mental health experts who practice hypnotherapy, which is the use of hypnosis in psychotherapy, can cure illnesses like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders. Last but not least, Self-hypnosis is a process that happens when a person generates a hypnotic state for themselves. It is frequently used as a self-help strategy to manage stress or control discomfort. Self-hypnosis can be induced through a deep state of meditation. It can also be induced by activating a substance called Dimethyltryptamine or DMT in our brain which occurs at only three instances in our life, when we are born, when we are actively having a life-like dream, and before death. However, psychedelic substances like ayahuasca, LSD, magic mushrooms, and other psychedelics are also found to produce this trance state in us.

Hypnosis has the power to significantly modify perceptions, as proved by experiments conducted by scientist Ernest Hilgard. The participant’s arm was submerged in ice water after being told to refrain from feeling discomfort in the arm while under hypnosis. Non-hypnotized people had to take their arms out of the chilly water after a few seconds because of the pain, whereas hypnotized people could keep their arms in the water for a few minutes without feeling any discomfort. The left brain, which could be compared to our “conscious mind,” tends to be more prominent while we are normally awake. The brain has two cerebral hemispheres. The more intelligent, cognizant, and logical side of ourselves, communicates verbally. Our right brain becomes more dominant when we unwind or get absorbed in something. The right brain, which can be thought of as our “unconscious mind,” is the emotional and creative side of ourselves that expresses itself through symbols and imagery. Because words are not the right brain’s language, it is never easy to convince ourselves not to feel irritated or anxious. Yet, by employing metaphor or guided imagery, one can illustrate a point with words.

Hence, Hypnosis can lead people to access parts of their minds that their conscious state cannot access. It can regress to earlier states of life to retrieve forgotten memories that can unconsciously cause maladaptive behaviours, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Hypnosis is a way to gain confidence in oneself to know better about their abilities to heal.

The post Hypnosis- A myth or reality appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

An outcome that meets a need is provided when a behaviour is met with reinforcement. The foundation of drive theory is the idea that, in the absence of these needs, an adverse state of tension results from the psychological demands that organisms have from birth. Drive decreases and the body reverts to a relaxed, homeostasis-like condition when a requirement is met. Example- To alleviate the discomfort that hunger causes our bodies, we eat when we are hungry. This is a noteworthy illustration of the drive reduction theory. We wear sweaters to satisfy our demand for warmth and to regulate our body temperature when we’re cold. This is yet another typical drive reduction theory illustration.

Read More: The Psychology of Behaviour

Motivational Readiness:

An extension of Warden’s drive-incentive relationship proposes that a person’s physiological demands would be matched with a commensurate drive. The resources that are readily available in a person’s surroundings and that they can utilize to reach their intended outcome are known as their affordances. The affordances are situated in an atmosphere that is similar to Lewin’s living quarters. What the user wants determines the affordance and efficacy level. For the wish to be satisfied, the affordance properties must be able to meet the requirements. For instance, if the affordance was a tiny bag of gummy worms, someone whose need was protection from a hailstorm would not be pleased.

Read More: Triarchic theory of intelligence

Furthermore, according to Warden’s drive-incentive link, behaviour increases in tandem with increases in drive or incentive. Hull argues that because drive and motivation are related, when a person has a drive, their level of discomfort rises, which in turn motivates them to eliminate the need that lies at the heart of the drive. Previous attempts to explain how internal and external variables interact to influence motivation and action led to the development of the theory of motivational readiness.

Read More: Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

This hypothesis is predicated on the idea that people will have desires and act to fulfil those desires (if the desires are indeed attainable). Any physiological or psychological need, such as the desire for food, can be classified as a want. For instance, a person may drive to a restaurant in the hopes that the food there will satisfy their hunger. Exercise, diet, weight control, and smoking-related studies have all highlighted the importance of motivational preparedness.

Read More: The Psychology of Discipline

Drive Reduction Theory

Hull’s theory of motivation has several faults, even though the drive theory was highly popular in the middle of the 20th century, according to detractors. These are a handful:

The main flaw in the drive theory is that it fails to explain why a person acts in a certain way when they don’t have an underlying, unfulfilled need. One could indulge in a three-course meal, for example, even if they’re not hungry. People occasionally engage in risky activities like adventure sports, which serve to increase internal tension rather than to lower it. Hull’s Drive Reduction Theory Doesn’t Provide an Answer for This Dangerous Conduct.

Read More: The Psychology Behind Hard Work

According to psychologists, there are two types of drives: primary and secondary. While secondary drives are acquired by conditioning or association with a primary drive, primary drives are innate biological needs like hunger or thirst. Examples of secondary drives are financial gain and social acceptance. The reason secondary drives serve as reinforcement for a certain behaviour even when they don’t lessen biological needs is not explained by Hull’s drive reduction theory.

Read More: The Psychology Behind Self-Respect

Hull’s theory of motivation has been widely utilized as the foundation for additional study into psychology and human behaviour despite these shortcomings. Over time, other theorists have developed their alternatives to the Clark Hull drive reduction hypothesis. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one such example. The drive theory of motivation, sometimes known as the drive hypothesis, holds that people act in particular ways to ease the tension that their unmet biological demands cause inside their bodies. A “drive” is the state of arousal or internal tension that arises in the body as a result of these requirements. According to the drive reduction theory, reducing one’s drive is the main driving force behind all human behaviour.

Hull proposed the drive theory of motivation as a theory to explain learning, motivation, and human behaviour. Understanding yourself, your internal motivations, and your coworkers is crucial in today’s dynamic business environment if you want to thrive as a growth-driven professional and pursue a lifetime learning path. Based on the same idea, the Clark Hull drive reduction theory operates. An individual begins to act in a way that satisfies an unfulfilled need in their body, which lowers their drive and helps them reach a condition of equilibrium. Hull used training and reinforcement to describe human behaviour as a neo-behaviourist. According to the drive reduction theory, the act of reducing drive serves as reinforcement for the conduct that enabled the individual to fulfil their unmet need.

The post Hull’s Drive Theory appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.

Gratitude is characterized by being appreciative and expressing appreciation for what we have. Exercising gratefulness is more vital than ever at a time when numerous of us are having a hard time conforming to a new normal.

In this article, we will try to unfold gratefulness and its impacts on our mental health.

Understanding Gratitude:

Gratitude is the heart-observed appreciation and recognition for the kindness, help, or positive gestures we admit from others or indeed from life itself. It involves honoring the good effects in our lives and admitting them with a sense of warmth and appreciation. Gratitude can be directed towards people, circumstances, nature, or truly oneself.
Kristin Francis, MD, a psychiatrist at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute claims that “Expressing gratefulness can favorably change your brain,”. She says “The brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which speedily boost your mood and give you a sensation of joy, pleasure, and well-being, are increased through it.”

The Impact of Expressing Gratitude on Mental Health:

1. Reduces Stress and makes you Feel Optimistic:

One of the most significant benefits of exercising gratefulness is its capability to reduce stress levels. When we concentrate on the positive aspects of our lives, it becomes demanding for negative feelings to take hold. Gratitude shifts our attention down from solicitude and fear, replacing them with passions of pleasure and peace, and ultimately helps us to feel optimistic about ourselves.

A study published in the journal” Psychiatry Research” set that those individuals who regularly expressed gratefulness felt lower levels of anxiety and depression. Grateful people tend to have better- coping mechanisms, which enable them to deal with stressful situations more effectively.

2. Promotes Positivity and Mindfulness:

Being fully present in the moment is a component of mindfulness, which is always associated with gratitude. We become more aware of the good things in our lives when we express our gratitude. This improved mindfulness urges us to be attentive to the integrity and beauty that are all around us in our daily lives. This heightened awareness inspires us to be mindful of the integrity and beauty that encompass our daily lives.

Being mindful and thankful can be powerful tools in the fight against rumination, which is a typical trait of depression and anxiety. We can release ourselves from destructive ways of thinking and find comfort in the present by focusing on and appreciating the present moment.

3. Boosts the Overall Well-Being and Emotional Adaptability:

Gratitude serves as a protective barrier against the psychological expenses associated with suffering. Admitting the benefits we’re grateful for, can help us retain a more positive view when we’re going through difficult times. This emotional flexibility helps us recover from setbacks more quickly and improves our general well-being.

Likewise, exercising gratefulness fosters a superior sense of relief, making it easier to navigate through tough times. It provides a perspective that allows us to see difficulties as opportunities for growth.

4. Strengthens Social and Personal Bonds:

Gratitude includes honoring the compassion of others as well as self-reflection. Expressing thankfulness toward friends, family, or associates can strengthen private and social bonds and enrich the quality of connections.

Also, gratefulness reduces the chances of taking others for granted, fostering a surrounding of mutual respect and trust. This can lead to healthier and more fulfilling connections, which, in turn, positively impact mental health.

5. Increases self-confidence and Motivation:

Gratitude is not only aimed outward; it can also be inside. When we admit our accomplishments and growth, we boost our self-regard and self-worth, which ultimately promotes our inner motivation to do better, as well. This self-appreciation contributes to a healthier self-image and superior self-confidence.

Similarly, gratefulness can help us silence our inner critic by fighting self-doubt with self-compassion. Honoring and celebrating our achievements, no matter how small, we become more flexible in the face of self-criticism.

Tips to Cultivate Gratitude in Oneself:

• Journaling: To start journaling, you do not need a locked journal. Write down many effects each day for which you’re thankful in a journal, your daily diary, or even on sticky notes.
• Self-appreciation: Practice listing five positive aspects about yourself each day. At first, it could be awkward or burdensome, but with practice, it’ll get simpler.
• Search for a “companion”: Find a spouse, child, or friend with whom to participate in your daily practice. Every week, set away a short window of time to express your gratefulness.
• Make someone feel special: If there’s someone in your life who you feel you” owe” happiness or success to, go see them in person and express your gratefulness. Or, if a friend or colleague has had an impact on your life, make sure they know it by thanking them and expressing your gratefulness.

Gratitude is an important restorative for mental health, furnishing a wealth of advantages that can change our lives. One cannot emphasize how important it is to lower stress, make emotional adaptability, strengthen interpersonal connections, encourage awareness, and boost self-esteem. We may unleash gratefulness’s enormous power and experience its profoundly awful goods on our mental health by incorporating it into our day-to-day routines.

The post Gratitude and its Impact on Mental Health appeared first on Psychologs Magazine | Mental Health Magazine | Psychology Magazine | Self-Help Magazine.