Key Psychological Concepts for Personal Well-Being
Dr. Kaufman’s Sailboat Model of Needs
The Hull (the base of the boat): Represents our security and stability needs—things like safety, connection, and self-esteem. If the hull has “holes” (like trauma, fear, or instability), we cannot really move forward because all our energy goes into surviving or patching it up. These are the foundations that keep the boat steady.
The Sail: Stands for our growth and exploration needs—curiosity, purpose, love, and creativity. When we feel safe and stable,
Classification and Types of Mental Health Disorders
Understanding Major Categories of Mental Disorders
Like physical ailments, there are various types of mental disorders. The list of these disorders ranges from minor anxiety to severe conditions such as schizophrenia. The standard classification system used is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The branch of psychology that deals with these disorders is called abnormal psychology.
1. Disorders of Childhood
The DSM classifies various kinds of childhood disorders, usually
Read MoreCultivating Self-Compassion: Balancing Emotion Systems
“It’s possible to train ourselves to experience greater compassion and love.” (Gilbert, 2009)
Why Self-Criticism Fails Us
- We are often unkind to ourselves.
- The core message we internalize is often: “We are not good enough” unless we excel in specific areas (achievements, appearance, social skills, etc.).
- A critical attitude contributes to feelings of stress, insecurity, aggression, and sadness.
- It does not contribute to happiness and well-being.
- Unhappiness often stems from focusing on things we are
Perceptual-Motor Behavior, Cognitive Theories, and Spatial Development
Perceptual-Motor Behavior and Cortical Function
Perceptual-Motor Behavior refers to actions that require the involvement of the cortex as a computer of sensory information, providing basic consistency to conduct. Through movement and perceptual-motor behaviors, children achieve the following developmental milestones:
- Spatial organization of the body schema and orientation.
- Graphical representation and expression.
- Rhythm and motor activity.
- Perception of the senses: color, shape, textures, sounds, etc.
Cognitive Psychology: Foundations, Brain Systems, and Perception
Foundations of Psychological Research
Level and Scope of Psychological Explanations
Psychological phenomena can be explained at different levels:
- Some psychological explanations are based on biology.
- Some psychological explanations are based on mental states.
- Some psychological explanations are based on social/cultural factors.
The scope of psychological research refers to whether it applies to:
- All human beings.
- Certain groups of people (e.g., people with schizophrenia).
- Individual people (e.g., my mother)
The Neurochemistry of Love, Lust, Anger, and Aggression
Passionate Love: Neurochemical Profile
- High densities of dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE), but low levels of serotonin (5-HT).
- Displays subcortical activity in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), caudate nucleus, and putamen.
- Functions on dopaminergic-rich pathways, resulting in brain activation similar to cocaine use. It is rewarding, positive, and motivating.
- In response to seeing a loved one, the VTA uses chemical messengers (dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin) to send signals to the nucleus accumbens.