Psych Series #10

Psych Series #10: Hierarchy of Needs

Welcome back to Psych Series! We will begin this year with another topic from Psych 101. First let's define the concept of mental health. What is mental health? According to the American Psychiatric Association, mental health is the "simultaneous success at working, loving,k and creating with the capacity for mature and flexible resolution of conflicts between instincts, conscience, important other people and reality (APA, 1980)." Another way to view mental health is "the successful adaptation to stressors from the internal or external environment, evidenced by thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are age-appropriate and congruent with local and cultural norms (Townsend, 2003)."

What motivates us to strive for balance in our mental health? Abraham Maslow created a theory describing a "hierarchy of needs" that suggests that our most basic needs must be met before we, as humans, desire or are motivated to seek "the realization of his or her highest potential (Maslow, 1970)." The following are characteristics Maslow believed "healthy" and "self-actualized" people possess:

1. An appropriate perception of reality
2. The ability to accept oneself, others, and human nature
3. The ability to manifest spontaneity
4. The capacity for focusing concentration on problem solving
5. A need for detachment and desire for privacy
6. Independence, autonomy, and a resistance to enculturation
7. An intensity of emotional reaction
8. A frequency of "peak" experiences that validates the worthwhileness, richness, and beauty of life
9. An identification with humankind
10. The ability to achieve satisfactory interpersonal relationships
11. A democratic character structure and strong sense of ethics
12. Creativeness
13. A degree of nonconformance

How do we reach a stage of self-actualization? Maslow's hierarchy of needs is best depicted in the form of a pyramid. We all begin at the base of the pyramid with meeting the most basic needs and progress toward the top as we develop. Depending on life circumstances, we may reverse our position in the hierarchy from a higher to a lower level. Below is a depiction of Maslow's hierarchy:

Physiological - These include our most basic fundamental needs such as food, water, air, sleep, exercise, elimination, shelter, and sexual expression.

Safety (and Security) - The needs in this level are avoiding harm, maintaining comfort, order, structure, physical safety, freedom from fear, and protection.

Social (or Love and Belonging) - These needs are for giving and receiving of affection, companionship, satisfactory interpersonal relationships, and identification with a group.

Esteem (Self-Esteem, Esteem of Others) - Individuals seek self-respect and respect from others, works to achieve success and recognition in work, and desires prestige from accomplishments.

Self-actualization - The individual possesses a feeling of self-fulfillment and the realization of his or her highest potential.

Maslow theorizes that during our progression through the hierarchy, if our needs are not met, we feel tension and anxiety.

So, where are you on the hierarchy pyramid? Have you reached self-actualization? Are you still working diligently on creating a solid base? No matter what stage you are at on your path to mental wellness, remember it's a journey! Our experiences shape who we are and help us to learn along the way. Good luck with your journey! May it lead you to peace, love, and happiness in this new year!

Happy New Year!

Who Makes You Feel
~Dido~

I don't touch you the way I used to
I don't call and write when I'm away
We don't make love as often as we did do
What couldn't wait now waits and usually goes away

But listen and think when I say it
Oh but listen and think when I say it
Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel
Who loves you and knows you the way I do
Who touches you and holds you quite like I do
Who makes you feel like I make you feel

I don't mind if you come home late
I don't ever ask where you've been
I just assume if there's a problem you will tell me

But listen and think when I say it
Oh but listen and think when I say it
Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel
Who loves you and knows you the way I do
Who touches you and holds you quite like I do
Who makes you feel like I make you feel
Who makes you feel like I make you feel
Who makes you feel like I make you feel

Being weak when I am strong
Being seen, who you are
Being sad and love's not alone

But listen and think when I say it
Oh but listen and think when I say it
Who makes you feel the way that I make you feel
Who loves you and knows you the way I do
Who touches you and holds you quite like I do
Who makes you feel like I make you feel

It's October already?! Well to make up for a missed month of posts...here are some cute & funnyz to enjoy!

~Peace, Love & Happiness~

Psych Series #9

Psych Series #9: Stages of Personality Development

This week's 'Psych Series' is taking us back to the good ole college days of Psych 101. There are several theoretical models of personality development that we could review. Today I have chosen to bring you Sullivan's Interpersonal Theory.

Sullivan initially followed Freud and his intrapersonal view. He later developed his own theoretical framework based on interpersonal relationships. Sullivan's model spans from infancy through late adolescence and describes the major developmental tasks humans must accomplish during each stage. Happy reading and keep an eye out for more developmental theories and Psych 101 refreshers coming soon!

Sullivan's Stages of Personality Development

Infancy: Birth to 18 Months
Major Developmental Task:

• Gratification of needs - this is accomplished through such activities as crying, nursing, and thumb sucking.

Childhood: 18 Months to 6 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Learning to experience a delay in personal gratification without undue anxiety - this is accomplished using tools including the mouth, the anus, language, experimentation, manipulation, and identification
  

Juvenile: 6 To 9 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Forming satisfactory relationships within peer groups - this is accomplished using competition, cooperation, and compromise.

Preadolescence: 9 To 12 Years
Major Developmental Task:

• Developing relationships with persons of the same sex - this stage is where we learn to initiate feelings of affection for another person and show love.

Early Adolescence: 12 To 14 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Developing a sense of identity that is separate and independent from parents
  
• Forming satisfactory relationships with members of the opposite sex - biological changes and the emergence of lust occur during this stage
  

Late Adolescence: 14 To 21 Years
Major Developmental Task(s):

• Establishing self-identity or interdependence within society
• Experiencing satisfying relationships
• Working to develop a lasting, intimate relationship with a member of the opposite sex

Sullivan based his theory on the belief that all behavior is aimed at relieving or preventing anxiety. He believed that fulfilling all requirements in a person's physicochemical environment (oxygen, food, warmth, tenderness, rest, activity, water, sexual expression, etc) led to the satisfaction of needs. When a person has all needs met, Sullivan believed there was an overall sense of total well-being and interpersonal security. Sullivan identified what he called the 'self-system', a collection of experiences individuals use to protect against anxiety. Within this system, Sullivan identified three components:

• "Good Me" - personality that develops in response to positive feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of pleasure, contentment, and gratification.
• "Bad Me" - personality that develops in response to negative feedback from the primary caregiver. Individuals experience feelings of anxiety leading to discomfort, displeasure, and distress.
• "Not Me" - personality that develops in response to situations that produce intense anxiety. Individuals experience feelings of horror, awe, dread, and loathing. These feelings in turn lead to the child denying the feelings in order to relieve anxiety, thus becoming "not me." This type of withdrawal from emotions may lead to mental disorders in adult life.

By using the concepts of Sullivan's theory, we can assist individuals to achieve a higher degree of independent and interpersonal functioning.

As always, wishing you all peace, love and happiness! Look for more Psych 101 refreshers and theoretical models coming soon!

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

~ 1 Corinthians 13 (excerpt)

Wishing you all Peace, LOVE, and Happiness!

Artistic X-rays

I have been mesmerized by Dutch artist/photographer, Albert Koetsier, who has perfected x-rays as art. Here are some samples of his work & work he inspired...enjoy!








Wishing you all peace, love & happiness!