Understanding Human Behavior: Emotions, Psychology, and the Brain
Physiological Responses and Emotional Excitation
Excitation manifests as an accelerated heart rate, muscle tension, tingling in the stomach, and dryness in the mouth. These physiological responses can be triggered by various stimuli, including watching a horror movie, experiencing boredom, or engaging in sexual activity.
Lie Detection and Nonverbal Communication
Lie detectors measure changes in respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and sweat. Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in expressing
Read MoreSocial Psychology: Key Figures and Theories
Early Influences on Social Psychology
Aristotle believed that humans were naturally sociable, a necessity which allows us to live together (an individual-centered approach), whilst Plato felt that the state controlled the individual and encouraged social responsibility through social context (a socio-centered approach).
Hegel (1770–1831) introduced the concept that society has inevitable links with the development of the social mind. This led to the idea of a group mind, important in the study of
Read MoreChild Development: Key Concepts and Stages
Key Concepts in Child Development
Piaget’s Theory
Centration
Centration is the process by which a child focuses on only one aspect of a situation, neglecting other important features.
Accommodation
Accommodation refers to the modification of existing mental structures to incorporate new information or experiences.
Circular Reactions
Primary circular reactions are repetitive behavioral sequences that focus on the infant’s own body and occur by chance.
Reversibility
Reversibility is the ability to mentally
Read MoreUnderstanding Sleep Stages, Disorders, and Dream Theories
Understanding Sleep: Stages, Disorders, and Theories
Sleep Stages
Sleep is a state characterized by a specific posture, minimal movement, and reduced responsiveness to stimuli. It is a cyclical process, occurring approximately every 24 hours and lasting several hours. The various stages of sleep are:
Phase I (Transition to Sleep)
This phase marks the transition from wakefulness to sleep. It is characterized by decreased heart rate, muscle relaxation, and irregular breathing. Individuals awakened during
Understanding Human Behavior: Psychology and the Mind
Psychology: Understanding Human Behavior
Psychology is a discipline that specializes in human behavior, encompassing both its internal and external aspects.
Behavior and the Mind
Behavior is the reaction of an individual. It has a dimension of reality that is internal and unobservable (psychological life), and an external and observable dimension (behavior).
The mind is an entity that provides continuity and identity to us as people. It encompasses all the phenomena, mental processes, and states that
Read MoreUnderstanding Psychiatry, Psychology, and Educational Roles
The field of psychiatry is very large compared with other medical specialties. Mental disorders can affect most aspects of a patient’s life, such as physical activity, behavior, emotions, thinking, perceptions, interpersonal relationships, sexuality, work, and leisure. These disorders are caused by a complex combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. The psychiatrist’s task is to identify the various sources and manifestations of mental illness. Psychotherapy, the treatment of