How Psychology Works - DK Publisher
The neurotransmitter endorphins have an inhibitory effect on transmission of pain signals; they are associated with pain relief and feelings of pleasure.
Serotonin has an inhibitory effect and linked to mood enhancement and calmness.
Each emotion is activated by a specific pattern of brain activity. Hatred for example, stimulates the amygdala and areas of the brain associated with disgust, rejection, action, and calculation. Amygdala is linked to all negative emotions. Positive emotion works by reducing activity in the amygdala and those cortical regions linked to anxiety.
FH notes: Positive emotion is associated with reduction of brain activity / calmness, not pleasant experiences / stimuli.
The psychology of relationships
| Childhood attachment |
Adulthood attachment |
| Secure - Caregiver is sensitive to child's needs, responding quickly and regularly. |
Secure - confident, loving yet independent |
| Ambivalent - Caregiver behaviour is inconsistent |
Anxious-preoccupied - Fear of rejection, clingy, demanding and obsessive. Driven by emotional hunger rather than love and trust. |
| Avoidant - Caregiver is distant and unresponsive |
Dimissive-avoidant - Appears independent but is an illusion |
| Disorganized - Abusive or passive / frightened caregiver |
Fearful-avoidant -Emotionally unpredictable. May end up in abusive relationship. Torn between seeking comfort in their partner and getting hurt. |
| Partner A |
Partner B |
Romantic Attachment |
| Anxious-preoccupied |
Anxious-preoccupied |
May have passionate relationship but may also be extreme highs and lows that ultimately pull the couple apart |
| Anxious-preoccupied |
Dismissive-avoidant |
Diffcult pairing reinforces the couple's self-images |
| Anxious-preoccupied |
Secure |
Secure partner can help anxious one become less, claim their partner's anxiety and meet their needs |
| Dismissive-avoidant |
Dismissive-avoidant |
Rarely results in a long term relationship since neither can commit. Though desire to connect with someone, another avoidant is unlikely to bridge the gap |
| Dismissive-avoidant |
Secure |
Potentially strong coupling. Secure person can give avoidant more space, in turn encourages the avoidant to relax, enjoy and learn to be intimate |
| Secure |
Secure |
Perfect match - easy to share intimacy and communicate needs and concerns |
65% of divorces stem from communication problems.
The Four Housemen of the Apocalypse
Stage 1: Criticism - verbally attacking a partner's character rather than tackling the annoying behaviour. This can make the other person feel negatively about themselves
Instead express feelings rather than attacking their personal qualities.
Stage 2: Defensiveness - Reacting negatively to criticism by making excuses and blaming the other person
Instead be prepared to apologize for your own behaviour and take responsibility. Listen to dissatisfaction without taking it personally
Stage 3: Contempt - Being rude and showing open disrepect through facial expressions such as rolling the eyes.
Instead focus on partner's positive attributes instead of keeping score of their faults
Stage 4: Stonewalling - Withdrawing by cutting off physical and emotional contact with partner, who feels abandoned and rejected.
Instead let partner know when you need time to yourself to think and resume conversation when you are ready.
Psychology in politics
What the human being is best at doing is interpreting all new information so that their prior conclusions remain intact - Warren Buffett
Attribution theory:
- Fundamental attribution error: People attribute their own behaviour as arising from their situation or circumstances, whereas they attribute others' behaviour to their disposition or character traits
- Representativeness heuristic: Judge other people based on how similar they are to the stereotype of a particular kind of person
- Availability heuristic: People estimate the likelihood of something happening based on their own recent experience (top-of-mind) rather than statistical likelihoods
Schema theory:
- Pre-existing categories, labels, or stereotypes to assimilate new information, rather than treating each new piece of information independently
The Biology of Kindness - Immaculate de Vivo & Daniel Lumera
Imagining the best version of yourself for 5 min a day can boost optimism levels
When one becomes happy, people in 3 degree of separation also become happier
Tools such as meditation, music and nature can help you become healthier and more kind
